The Atlanta Braves have traded right handed reliever Rafael Soriano to the Tampa Bay Rays. The deal is pending Soriano passing a physical. The releiver put the Braves in a tough spot when he unexpectedly accepted their offer of arbitration, which was offered with the belief that he would leave as a free agent and they would be compensated with two high draft picks.
The deal isn't official yet, but it is rumored that the return for Soriano is fellow right handed reliever Jesse Chavez, who appeared in 73 games for the Pirates in 2009, collecting a 1-4 record, 4.01 ERA and 1.35 WHIP. If he is all the Braves are able to recieve in return for their 2009 closer this situation will have been a major loss for the organization, as Chavez isn't a lock to make the team and he certainly doesn't have the value of a late 1st round pick and a supplemental draft pick.
UPDATE: Soriano has agreed to a one year, non-guarnateed contract for around 7 million with the Rays, which was part of the contingency for this deal to go through. Additionally, Chavez, who Tampa Bay aquired recently in exchange for 2B Aki Iwamura, is the player the Braves will receive in return for Soriano.
A one year, non-guaranteed contract? How rough was the free agent market to Soriano? Brandon Lyon got three guaranteed years from the Tigers and he's not really as good as Soriano, definitely doesn't have the electric arm that the Dominican does. It seems like Soriano and his agent were betting that there will be more money available next year in free agency, but if he blows him arm out again not only will he not get money next offseason, he won't get money during 2010. Strange stuff.