Miami Marlins could pursue Rafael Soriano

Steve Cishek blew his third save in six opportunities on Sunday afternoon but the Marlins may not be prepared to explore other options. Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe notes the price on Rafael Soriano has steadily decreased, and as a result, the Marlins might be interested.

Scott Boras, who represents Soriano, told Cafardo he is getting closer with "a few teams," and if Cishek continues to have difficulty, Soriano might be a veteran option for the Marlins to explore.

Soriano, 35, has a notable amount of closing experience but did not sign with a team after failing to receive the contract he desired. The Twins were most recently linked to the former Washington closer, although teams seeking closing help or a setup man could also pursue Soriano. Soriano posted a 3.19 ERA and 3.08 FIP in 62.0 innings with the Nationals last season. He has saved 42, 43, and 32 games over the last three seasons, respectively, and had his best year with the Rays in 2010, during which he posted a 1.73 ERA in 62.1 innings.

Miami is confident in Cishek's ability to save games on a consistent basis, however his 8.18 ERA and 3.88 FIP in only 11 innings this season may lead the Marlins to consider making an addition to the bullpen. The Marlins' bullpen has been used often through the first month of the season, and without Jose Fernandez and Henderson Alvarez, the rotation at times has had difficulty pitching deep in games. Adding an experienced arm may not only benefit Cishek, but also A.J. Ramos, Mike Dunn, and Bryan Morris.

Cishek will continue to be called upon in save situations, but adding Soriano may be beneficial if Cishek cannot consistently easily close games. After struggling in the past, Cishek has been able to bounce back and pitch well, and that will likely be the case again in 2015. However, if the Marlins want depth, Soriano may be an intriguing candidate.