The Detroit Tigers have announced the acquisition of relief pitcher Joakim Soria from the Texas Rangers in exchange for pitching prospects Jake Thompson and Corey Knebel.
This trade comes only days after closer Huston Street also got traded from the San Diego Padres to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. We are seeing that the interest for closers is very high right now, especially with many teams still in contention.
Detroit’s current closer, Joe Nathan, is not having a year to write home about as he is posting a career worst 5.89 ERA in 36.2 innings pitched, although he does have 20 saves in 25 save opportunities.
Meanwhile, Soria owns a 2.70 ERA with 17 saves in 19 save opportunities. After a terrible injury, Soria had to have elbow surgery and missed all of the 2012 season. Before his injury, Soria was one of the games greatest closers in his stint with the Kansas City Royals, earning him two All Star selections. Now, we see that he has gained some value in a tough market and was able to overcome his injury.
It appears that Soria could be put in the closer role immediately. But even if the Tigers want to maintain Joe Nathan as the closer, Soria gives them another great pitcher in high pressure situations.
As for the Texas Rangers, it makes a lot of sense to trade Soria at this moment. They are having an injury filled, disappointing season in which they are in last place of their division that many thought they could have won before the season started. Not only did they trade Soria while he has plenty of trade value, but they also got a pair of pitching prospects that will help their farm system. Both Thompson and Knebel were in the list of top-ten prospects for the Tigers at the beginning of the season.
Texas, most likely already eliminated, might have won something with this trade, while the Tigers have also gotten what they wanted. Consider this a win-win trade for now.
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