After getting off to a wild start, the free agent market for closers has been slow-moving this winter. The main reason for this has been the trade market for finishers has picked up considerably. Athletics closer Andrew Bailey is perhaps the most highly sought-after reliever, but Jon Paul Morosi of Fox Sports adds a few other names to the list of available finishers. Morosi says that Joakim Soria (Royals) and Carlos Marmol (Cubs) could each be had at the right price this winter.
After high-cost, long-term contracts were dished out by the Phillies and Marlins to Jonathan Papelbon and Heath Bell, teams decided to turn their attention to less expensive alternatives or closers that required less of a commitment.
After watching Bell head to Miami, the Padres acquired closer Huston Street from the Rockies. The Reds and Red Sox have been targeting A’s closer Andrew Bailey seemingly since the offseason began. Set to hit the free agent market after next season, Brandon League is another late-inning arm that is being shopped this winter.
Morosi hears that two other closers can be added to this list; Carlos Marmol of the Cubs and Kansas City’s Joakim Soria. Morosi believes that each pitcher could be acquired at the right price.
Cubs president Theo Epstein has come out and said that his team is looking to the future and that he is willing to listen on everyone.
While he doesn’t have to actively shop Marmol, the 29-year-old is one of the few trade chips the Cubs have that could fetch significant return and help jump start the rebuilding process. Marmol is coming off of a down year, but he is under team control through 2013, and when he’s on, he’s one of the most unhittable pitchers in the majors.
Soria also experienced a rocky 2011 season, but the 27-year-old had been phenomenal as the Royals closer entering the year. Including last season, Soria has maintained an ERA and WHIP of 2.40 and 1.043 over his five years with the Royals, posting a SO/9 of 9.7 and a BB/9 of 2.5 over that span. The right-hander is set to make $6 million next year and his contract includes a pair of team options for the 2013-14 seasons.