Mike Silva's New York Baseball Digest » Rafael Soriano

Is Rivera Retiring? Who Will Replace Him?

Wednesday, February 22nd, 2012

“Doesn’t depend on how I pitch. Always I want to do my job, but I’ve made my decision already,” Mariano Rivera told reporters the other day. He added that his decision has been made, “even if I save 90 games, even if they want to pay as much money as they want to.” It sounds like we saw […]

Yanks Preparing Late Strike For Heath Bell and Ubaldo Jimenez?

Saturday, July 30th, 2011

A couple of interesting tweets that may give us a clue as to where the Yankees focus is at the trading deadline #Yankees, like all teams, have scouts everywhere, but who is where is always key, and trusted Bill Livesey is watching #Padres relieversless than a minute ago via TweetDeck Favorite Retweet ReplyJoel ShermanJoelsherman1 Sherman […]

Yankees Need Bullpen Help

Friday, July 8th, 2011

One of my Yankees concerns is overworking the bullpen. David Robertson has been great, but the injury to Mariano Rivera shouldn’t be taken lightly. Yes, they probably made a big deal about it to justify Mo bowing out of the All Star Game, but Joe Girardi has been using both Rivera and Robertson heavily this season. […]

The Killer K’s?

Friday, June 24th, 2011

We reported the Yankees interest in Kerry Wood a couple of weeks ago. I can confirm the Yankees are not only looking at Wood (currently on the DL with a blister), but are seriously considering Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez. What the Mets would ask for in return is unknown, but considering the salary relief that […]

Not Buying Soriano’s Accountability

Thursday, April 7th, 2011

One thing you can never dispute when it comes to the Yankees is how they hold their players accountable. Even during the height of the A-Rod drama, he was always accessible to questions when the media demanded accountability. That’s why you had to know that Rafael Soriano‘s “phantom act” after Tuesday night’s meltdown wouldn’t sit […]

Blueprint Victory for Yanks on Opening Day

Thursday, March 31st, 2011

All the concerns of winter can sometimes go away quickly with just one baseball game. After months of hearing about Derek Jeter’s negotiations, falling short on signing Cliff Lee, and the annual Joba Chamberlain spring debate, the Yankees opened up the season in front of forty eight thousand plus at the Stadium. What they saw […]

Cashman’s Plan Thwarted By Soriano Signing

Friday, January 21st, 2011

In reaching out to my Tampa source, we received some clarification on the Rafael Soriano/Brian Cashman/Steinbrenner circus that has been discussed since the press conference earlier this week. Yes, as has been reported in numerous outlets, the Soriano signing was the work of Hal Steinbrenner. In a move reminiscent of his father, he actually contacted […]

Chad Jennings Headlines Hot Stove Sunday @ 8pm

Sunday, January 16th, 2011

Let us be your post Jets playoff game place to be at 8pm. Tonight’s show is kicked off by Yankees beat reporter for the Journal News, Chad Jennings. Chad will give his thoughts on the recent signing of Rafael Soriano, the future of Joba Chamberlain, and whether the Yankees will still acquire another starting pitcher. […]

Don’t Fear the 31st Pick

Saturday, January 15th, 2011

Upset about losing a draft pick for Rafael Soriano? Tyler Kepner of the New York Time has this message for you: About that 31st pick the Yanks are losing, there have been only 12 future major leaguers taken with the #31 pick since 1977. They are…less than a minute ago via webTyler KepnerTylerKepner The players […]

Yanks Back to the “Old” Way of Doing Business?

Friday, January 14th, 2011

Confirmed: There was a split of opinion in NYY front office on signing of Soriano. More ownership-driven deal than from baseball operations.less than a minute ago via webBuster OlneyBuster_ESPN Although I agree with the Soriano deal, I do think its concerning that ownership is pushing baseball moves. What put the Yankees in a bad spot […]

Soriano Signing Does a Few Things for the Yankees

Friday, January 14th, 2011

I must admit I have looked on amusingly as Yankees fans both bemoaned the fact Cliff Lee signed with the Phillies and the team didn’t trade Jesus Montero and others for Zack Greinke or Felix Hernandez. Then there were the calls to send a high-level prospect, and/or Nick Swisher and Brett Gardner to the Cubs […]

Best Bullpen in Baseball?

Friday, January 14th, 2011

Take a look at the 2010 numbers for the potential Yankees bullpen in 2011: Mariano Rivera Year Age W L W-L% ERA G SV IP H ER HR BB SO ERA+ WHIP BB/9 SO/9 Awards 2010 40 3 3 .500 1.80 61 33 60.0 39 12 2 11 45 238 0.833 1.7 6.8 AS Provided […]

The Polarizing Rafael Soriano Contract

Thursday, January 13th, 2011

Brian Cashman surprised the dormant Yankees universe by signing Rafael Soriano to a three year/$35 million dollar contract tonight. Tyler Kepner has the details, stating that Soriano can “opt out after the first or second year. If he opts out after 2011, he gets $11.5 million. If he opts out after 2012, he gets $21.5 […]

Why Losing a Draft Pick for Soriano Isn’t a Big Deal

Thursday, January 6th, 2011

Yesterday, Jon Heyman of SI tweeted that he believes the Yankees will turn to Rafael Soriano if Andy Pettitte winds up retiring. Before the holidays, I suggested a solid Plan B would be to beef up the bullpen by signing Soriano to “closer type money” just to set up Mariano Rivera. This would slot David […]

Should the Yanks Sign Rafael Soriano?

Monday, December 27th, 2010

This is a loaded question with an easy answer, but with a caveat. ESPN’s Buster Olney reiterated in his latest column (subscription required) the dangers of signing relievers to three year contracts. This was something I also discussed a week ago. Take a look at some the most recent relievers that received multiyear deals before […]