May 17, 2008
The Contracts Keep Coming
The Royals lock up Joakim Soria for three years with options for three more:
The Royals and Soria reached agreement Saturday on a six-year contract agreement that runs through 2014. The deal is believed to include $8 million in guaranteed money over the next three seasons with club options for 2012-2014 that could boost the total value to $32 million.
It's safe to say Soria should be in a celebratory mood today when he turns 24.
The deal was announced Saturday during the Royals' game against the Florida Marlins at Dolphin Stadium. It is the club's first multiyear contract with a non-free agent since Dayton Moore became general manager on May 30, 2006.
"You evaluate a couple of different things," Moore said. "Obviously, there's the ability. What they've done and what you project them to do.
"In these types of deals, you look at the type of person they are -- their work ethic and the type of teammates they are. You look at all of those factors and we felt very good about signing him for the long term."
I've heard announcers compare Soria to Mariano Rivera. Soria has been pretty unhittable so far. Batters are hitting just .168 against him with a .227 OBA and a .244 Slugging Percentage. That's a .471 OPS! Given that he's striking out over one an inning and allowing a walk every four innings, this seems like a pretty good investment.
Hat tip, BBTF.
Speaking as a part-time Royals fan, I love this deal.