Yankees sign Soriano to boster bullpen
The New York Yankees have agreed to terms with right-hander Rafael Soriano(notes) on a three-year, $35-million contract, according to a source close to the negotiations.
Spurned by free agent starter Cliff Lee(notes) and notified this week that starter Andy Pettitte(notes) likely would retire, the pitching-starved Yankees turned instead to bolstering their bullpen.
Soriano, who saved 45 games last season for the Tampa Bay Rays, will set up for Mariano Rivera(notes), who a month ago re-signed with the Yankees for $30 million over two seasons.
The Yankees also have signed left-hander Pedro Feliciano(notes), who appeared in at least 86 games in each of the past three seasons for the New York Mets.
Lee’s decision to sign with the Philadelphia Phillies, along with Pettitte’s decision, means the Yankees are likely to begin the season with a rotation of CC Sabathia(notes), Phil Hughes(notes), A.J. Burnett(notes), Ivan Nova(notes) and Sergio Mitre(notes).
