According to ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick via Twitter, the Kansas City Royals and free agent reliever Joakim Soria have agreed to a three-year, $25 million deal, with a mutual option for a fourth season.
Soria, 31, split last season between the Tigers and Pirates appearing in 72 games overall, recording 24 saves and posting a 2.53 ERA with a 8.5 K/9.
The Mets had preliminary interest in Soria, but were not looking to spend big dollars for the setup reliever they are looking to add this offseason. The Mets will focus instead on sifting through the second-tier relief market.
With the losses this offseason of Ryan Madson and Greg Holland from their bullpen, the Royals patched things up quite nicely with Soria, an established veteran who will now reunite with the team he started his career with in 2007.
