Rafael Soriano agrees to two-year, $28M deal with Nationals

Rafael Soriano is reportedly heading to the Nationals. (Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Former New York Yankees reliever Rafael Soriano has reportedly agreed to a two-year, $28 million deal with the Washington Nationals, according to tweets Tuesday afternoon from Jeff Passan of Yahoo! Sports.  The deal includes a $14 million option that vests for 2015 if he plays 120 games this upcoming season.

Adam Kilgore of The Washington Post had reported on Tuesday afternoon that Nationals owner Ted Lerner was heavily involved in bringing the pitcher to Washington. The Yankees had offered him a one-year qualifying offer, which means that New York now gets Washington’s first-round pick, No. 31 overall, and the bonus pool money associated with the selection.

Soriano, 33, joins a bullpen that already includes Drew Storen and Tyler Clippard after stepping in for Mariano Rivera last season when he injured his knee. As Rivera’s replacement, he recorded 42 games with an ERA of 2.26. Soriano has a career 2.78 ERA with 9.4 strikeouts per nine innings.

Source: Rafael Soriano agrees to two-year, $28M deal with Nationals. Deal contains vesting option for third year. Story coming on Y! Sports.—
Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 15, 2013

Rafael Soriano's $14 million option will vest with 120 games finished over the next two seasons.—
Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 15, 2013