DETROIT – Already operating without an established closer, the Cubs will be adding a big-name reliever to their bullpen mix: Rafael Soriano.
The Cubs finalized a minor-league deal with Soriano on Tuesday, structuring it with a prorated $4.1 million base salary and $4 million more available in incentives. So if the 35-year-old right-hander comes up for half the season, then he would make roughly $2 million guaranteed.
The Cubs hope they will be getting the lights-out pitcher who put up a 0.97 ERA for the Washington Nationals in the first half of last season, not the one who lost the closer’s job and had a 6.