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Miami was considering its closing options after Steve Cishek blew a pair of leads on consecutive nights. Rafael Sorinao was named an option, however according to MLB.com's Joe Frisaro, the Marlins are no longer open to adding the former Washington closer.
The #Marlins decision to pass on Soriano was based more on team belief he isn't an upgrade at this point than cost driven
— Joe Frisaro (@JoeFrisaro) May 14, 2015
prior to team reaching its conclusion on Soriano #Marlins had active conversations
— Joe Frisaro (@JoeFrisaro) May 14, 2015
Scott Boras, who represents Soriano, told Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe he is getting closer with "a few teams,"and Soriano was thought to be an option for the Marlins.
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.
A.J. Ramos earned his first major league save in last night's victory over the Dodgers and the Marlins may continue to explore internal options. Mike Dunn and Bryan Morris can also close if necessary and Cishek could bounce back.
Miami attempted to sign Francisco Rodriguez, however he rejected a two-year, $10 million offer and accepted a deal to return to Milwaukee. The Marlins were not linked to Soriano and the contract he may seek can be too costly for the Marlins. Soriano is persistent in requesting offseason money two weeks into May and the Marlins will likely benefit from exploring other possibilities.
Despite his struggles towards the end of last season, the fact that the Marlins' lack of interest is related to Soriano's cost is notable. The club will likely upgrade before the July trade deadline and as a result will not commit to spending on a temporary closer. Jonathan Papelbon could also be an option, but the Marlins appear content with closing by committee. For now, that may be the best option.