Position: RHP
Bats/Throws: R/R
Age: 5/18/1984 (34)
Traditional Stats: 3-4, 3.12 ERA, 66 games, 60.2 IP, 1.137 WHIP, 2.4 BB/9, 11.1 K/9
Advanced Stats: 0.9 bWAR, 1.8 fWAR, 135 ERA+, 2.43 FIP
Relievers are very up-and-down when it comes to their performance. Joakim Soria is a reliever. Ergo, Soria is very up-and-down.
For the most part, Soria was a dominant Royals closer for the first few years of his career. He then moved around the league as a number three option from the bullpen for a couple years before returning to Kansas City.
In his second stint in Kansas City (and others), his last couple of years have been quietly excellent. In 2017 and 2018, Soria posted a 3.39 ERA with a 2.34 FIP and a 139-to-36 strikeout-to-walk ratio. His FIP in that time frame is the eighth best among all relievers in baseball. What is also good is that his velocity has been consistent and higher than it was earlier in his career.
A potential reason for his recent dominance might be using his changeup more often and pitching inside more. His run of success probably has a correlation to Dave Eiland‘s time in Kansas City.
Will this level of domination continue? Probably not, at least not to this extent. Can he be a solid reliever to go behind Edwin Diaz, Seth Lugo, and Andrew Miller (hopefully), yes absolutely.
Contract
He should be able to secure a two-year deal pretty easily. In all likelihood, he should earn an average annual value of $8 million or more. The reliever market has not been set yet but the Winter Meetings should see it pick up.
Recommendation
Judging by Brodie Van Wagenen’s comments, he is looking at getting someone in the upper-tier of the reliever market. Someone like Miller, Zach Britton, or Adam Ottavino. Perhaps they could enter the market for him if they miss out on those guys. They could sign Miller and Soria but I’d imagine if they get Miller, they’ll put the bullpen on the back burner.
