Biographical

Portrait of Joakim Soria

Joakim Soria PBlue Jays

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2019 Projections (Preseason PECOTA - seasonal age 35)
IP ERA WHIP SO W L SV WARP
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Birth Date5-18-1984
Height6' 3"
Weight205 lbs
Age40 years, 6 months, 3 days
BatsR
ThrowsR
1.02015
1.12016
1.02017
1.72018
0.52019
proj
WARP Summary

MLB Statistics

Historical (past-seasons) WARP is now based on DRA..
cFIP and DRA are not available on a by-team basis and display as zeroes(0). See TOT line for season totals of these stats.
Multiple stints are are currently shownClick to hide.
YEAR Team Lg G GS IP W L SV H BB SO HR PPF H/9 BB/9 HR/9 K/9 GB% BABIP WHIP FIP ERA cFIP DRA DRA- WARP
2007 KCA MLB 62 0 69.0 2 3 17 46 19 75 3 103 6.0 2.5 0.4 9.8 0% .250 0.94 2.56 2.48 72 2.65 54.9 2.2
2008 KCA MLB 63 0 67.3 2 3 42 39 19 66 5 102 5.2 2.5 0.7 8.8 0% .207 0.86 3.27 1.60 70 2.51 53.5 2.2
2009 KCA MLB 47 0 53.0 3 2 30 44 16 69 5 105 7.5 2.7 0.8 11.7 0% .300 1.13 2.77 2.21 65 2.34 50.1 1.7
2010 KCA MLB 66 0 65.7 1 2 43 53 16 71 4 111 7.3 2.2 0.5 9.7 0% .277 1.05 2.50 1.78 79 2.91 65.8 1.5
2011 KCA MLB 60 0 60.3 5 5 28 60 17 60 7 109 9.0 2.5 1.0 9.0 0% .312 1.28 3.52 4.03 90 3.62 84.1 0.8
2013 TEX MLB 26 0 23.7 1 0 0 18 14 28 2 100 6.8 5.3 0.8 10.6 0% .286 1.35 3.70 3.80 79 2.63 62.9 0.6
2014 DET 0 13 0 11.0 1 1 1 13 2 6 2 109 10.6 1.6 1.6 4.9 0% .290 1.36 5.25 4.91 97 5.70 139.8 -0.2
2014 TEX 0 35 0 33.3 1 3 17 25 4 42 0 100 6.8 1.1 0.0 11.3 0% .291 0.87 1.09 2.70 79 2.60 63.9 0.8
2015 DET 0 43 0 41.0 3 1 23 32 11 36 8 106 7.0 2.4 1.8 7.9 0% .222 1.05 4.83 2.85 97 3.64 85.0 0.5
2015 PIT 0 29 0 26.7 0 0 1 23 8 28 0 94 7.8 2.7 0.0 9.5 0% .324 1.16 1.96 2.03 90 3.23 75.4 0.5
2016 KCA MLB 70 0 66.7 5 8 1 70 27 68 10 104 9.5 3.6 1.4 9.2 52% .323 1.46 4.31 4.05 88 3.47 76.8 1.1
2017 KCA MLB 59 0 56.0 4 3 1 49 20 64 1 7.9 3.2 0.2 10.3 59% .329 1.23 2.21 3.70 88 3.62 77.0 1.0
2018 CHA 0 40 0 38.7 0 3 16 35 10 49 2 102 8.1 2.3 0.5 11.4 35% .324 1.16 2.18 2.56 72 2.35 52.4 1.1
2018 MIL 0 26 0 22.0 3 1 0 18 6 26 2 95 7.4 2.5 0.8 10.6 48% .286 1.09 2.89 4.09 80 2.94 65.8 0.5
2019 OAK MLB 71 1 69.0 2 4 1 51 20 79 9 97 6.7 2.6 1.2 10.3 39% .251 1.03 3.65 4.30 90 3.48 71.4 1.4
2014 TOT MLB 48 0 44.3 2 4 18 38 6 48 2 102 7.7 1.2 0.4 9.7 0% .000 0.99 2.12 3.25 84 3.37 82.7 0.6
2015 TOT MLB 72 0 67.7 3 1 24 55 19 64 8 101 7.3 2.5 1.1 8.5 0% .000 1.09 3.70 2.53 94 3.48 81.2 1.0
2018 TOT MLB 66 0 60.7 3 4 16 53 16 75 4 100 7.9 2.4 0.6 11.1 40% .310 1.14 2.44 3.12 75 2.56 57.3 1.7
CareerMLB7101703.3333922157620976760957.42.70.89.845%.2841.123.083.02813.0768.115.7

Statistics for All Levels

'opp' stats - Quality of opponents faced - have been moved and are available only as OPP_QUAL in the Statistics reports now.
Minor league stats are currently shownClick to hide.
YEAR Team Lg LG G GS IP W L SV H BB SO HR PPF H/9 BB/9 HR/9 K/9 GB% BABIP WHIP FIP ERA cFIP DRA DRA-
2005 MCD mex MEX 30 5 66.3 5 0 0 75 31 60 7 10.2 4.2 1.0 8.1 0% -.667 1.60 4.84 4.48 0 0.00 0.0
2006 FTW A MDW 7 0 11.1 1 0 0 5 2 11 1 76 4.1 1.6 0.8 8.9 0% .154 0.63 3.03 2.43 67 2.73 57.3
2006 MCD mex MEX 39 0 37.0 0 0 15 37 11 30 2 9.0 2.7 0.5 7.3 0% .304 1.30 3.56 3.89 0 0.00 0.0
2007 KCA MLB AL 62 0 69.0 2 3 17 46 19 75 3 103 6.0 2.5 0.4 9.8 0% .250 0.94 2.56 2.48 72 2.65 54.9
2007 OBR Wnt MPL 4 0 3.7 0 0 2 2 0 5 0 4.9 0.0 0.0 12.2 0% .250 0.54 0.01 0.00 0 0.00 0.0
2007 OBR Wnt MPL 4 0 4.0 0 1 1 3 2 6 0 6.8 4.5 0.0 13.5 0% .333 1.25 1.21 2.25 0 0.00 0.0
2007 OBR Wnt MPL 3 0 4.0 0 0 2 4 1 6 0 9.0 2.3 0.0 13.5 0% .444 1.25 0.46 0.00 0 0.00 0.0
2007 OBR Wnt MPL 9 0 8.3 0 0 3 6 3 10 0 6.5 3.3 0.0 10.8 0% .300 1.08 1.39 3.25 0 0.00 0.0
2008 KCA MLB AL 63 0 67.3 2 3 42 39 19 66 5 102 5.2 2.5 0.7 8.8 0% .207 0.86 3.27 1.60 70 2.51 53.5
2009 KCA MLB AL 47 0 53.0 3 2 30 44 16 69 5 105 7.5 2.7 0.8 11.7 0% .300 1.13 2.77 2.21 65 2.34 50.1
2010 KCA MLB AL 66 0 65.7 1 2 43 53 16 71 4 111 7.3 2.2 0.5 9.7 0% .277 1.05 2.50 1.78 79 2.91 65.8
2011 KCA MLB AL 60 0 60.3 5 5 28 60 17 60 7 109 9.0 2.5 1.0 9.0 0% .312 1.28 3.52 4.03 90 3.62 84.1
2013 TEX MLB AL 26 0 23.7 1 0 0 18 14 28 2 100 6.8 5.3 0.8 10.6 0% .286 1.35 3.70 3.80 79 2.63 62.9
2013 FRI AA TEX 4 0 4.0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0.0 0.0 0.0 9.0 0% .000 0.00 1.05 0.00 74 1.98 43.0
2013 ROU AAA PCL 2 0 2.0 0 0 0 1 0 3 0 4.5 0.0 0.0 13.5 0% .250 0.50 0.56 0.00 84 3.60 78.2
2013 RNG Rk AZL 1 1 1.0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 97 0.0 0.0 0.0 9.0 0% .000 0.00 2.00 0.00 92 3.23 70.2
2014 DET MLB AL 13 0 11.0 1 1 1 13 2 6 2 109 10.6 1.6 1.6 4.9 0% .290 1.36 5.25 4.91 97 5.70 139.8
2014 TEX MLB AL 35 0 33.3 1 3 17 25 4 42 0 100 6.8 1.1 0.0 11.3 0% .291 0.87 1.09 2.70 79 2.60 63.9
2015 DET MLB AL 43 0 41.0 3 1 23 32 11 36 8 106 7.0 2.4 1.8 7.9 0% .222 1.05 4.83 2.85 97 3.64 85.0
2015 PIT MLB NL 29 0 26.7 0 0 1 23 8 28 0 94 7.8 2.7 0.0 9.5 0% .324 1.16 1.96 2.03 90 3.23 75.4
2016 KCA MLB AL 70 0 66.7 5 8 1 70 27 68 10 104 9.5 3.6 1.4 9.2 52% .323 1.46 4.31 4.05 88 3.47 76.8
2017 KCA MLB AL 59 0 56.0 4 3 1 49 20 64 1 7.9 3.2 0.2 10.3 59% .329 1.23 2.21 3.70 88 3.62 77.0
2018 CHA MLB AL 40 0 38.7 0 3 16 35 10 49 2 102 8.1 2.3 0.5 11.4 35% .324 1.16 2.18 2.56 72 2.35 52.4
2018 MIL MLB NL 26 0 22.0 3 1 0 18 6 26 2 95 7.4 2.5 0.8 10.6 48% .286 1.09 2.89 4.09 80 2.94 65.8
2019 OAK MLB AL 71 1 69.0 2 4 1 51 20 79 9 97 6.7 2.6 1.2 10.3 39% .251 1.03 3.65 4.30 90 3.48 71.4

Plate Discipline

YEAR Pits Zone% Swing% Contact% Z-Swing% O-Swing% Z-Contact% O-Contact% SwStr%
2008 1013 0.5202 0.4571 0.7343 0.6053 0.2963 0.7931 0.6042 0.2657
2009 898 0.5100 0.4699 0.7038 0.5961 0.3386 0.7546 0.6107 0.2962
2010 1093 0.5279 0.4565 0.7735 0.6049 0.2907 0.8338 0.6333 0.2265
2011 1039 0.5322 0.4254 0.7692 0.5877 0.2407 0.8062 0.6667 0.2308
2013 434 0.4954 0.4539 0.7563 0.6233 0.2877 0.7687 0.7302 0.2437
2014 686 0.5262 0.4534 0.7588 0.6260 0.2615 0.8186 0.6000 0.2412
2015 1152 0.5069 0.4905 0.7752 0.6575 0.3187 0.8229 0.6740 0.2248
2016 1188 0.4966 0.4697 0.7348 0.6271 0.3144 0.7892 0.6277 0.2652
2017 1010 0.4782 0.4455 0.6978 0.5921 0.3112 0.7867 0.5427 0.3022
2018 1043 0.4947 0.5139 0.7090 0.7035 0.3283 0.7466 0.6301 0.2910
2019 1099 0.5369 0.4841 0.7086 0.6898 0.2456 0.7420 0.6000 0.2914
Career106550.51190.46690.73750.63000.29500.78830.62510.2625

Injury History  —  No longer being updated

Last Update: 12/31/2014 23:59 ET

Date On Date Off Transaction Days Games Side Body Part Injury Severity Surgery Date Reaggravation
2014-08-10 2014-09-10 15-DL 31 31 Left Abdomen Strain Oblique -
2013-04-22 2013-04-22 On-Alr 0 0 - Chest Strain Pectoral Muscle - -
2013-03-22 2013-07-07 60-DL 107 87 Right Elbow Recovery From Surgery Revision Tommy John Surgery 2012-04-02 -
2012-03-26 2012-10-04 60-DL 192 162 Right Elbow Recovery From Surgery Revision Tommy John Surgery 2012-04-02 -
2012-03-19 2012-03-26 Camp 7 0 Right Elbow Surgery Revision Tommy John Surgery 2012-04-02 -
2011-09-12 2011-09-29 DTD 17 14 Right Thigh Strain Hamstring - -
2009-08-18 2009-08-18 DTD 0 0 Left Ankle Sprain -
2009-05-08 2009-06-02 15-DL 25 21 Right Shoulder Strain Rotator Cuff -
2009-04-23 2009-05-02 DTD 9 9 Right Shoulder Impingement -
2007-05-23 2007-06-07 15-DL 15 14 Right Shoulder Inflammation -
2003-04-05 2003-09-05 Minors 153 0 Right Elbow Surgery Tommy John Surgery - -

Compensation

Year Team Salary
2021 ARI $3,500,000
2020 OAK $8,500,000
2019 OAK $6,500,000
2018 CHA $8,000,000
2018 KCA $1,000,000
2017 KCA $8,000,000
2016 KCA $7,000,000
2015 DET $7,000,000
2014 TEX $5,500,000
2013 TEX $2,000,000
2012 KCA $6,000,000
2011 KCA $4,000,000
2010 KCA $3,000,000
2009 KCA $1,000,000
2008 KCA $426,500
2007 KCA $380,000
YearsDescriptionSalary
15 yrPrevious$71,806,500
15 yrTotal$71,806,500

 

Service TimeAgentContract Status
14 y 0 dOscar Suarez1 year/$3.5M (2021)

Details
  • 1 year/$3.5M (2021). Signed by Arizona as a free agent 2/3/21. Performance bonuses: $125,000 each for 40, 50, 60, 65 games. Perks: hotel suite on road. Acquired by Toronto in trade from Arizona 7/30/21.
  • 2 years/$15M (2019-20). 19:$6.5M, 20:$8.5M. Performance bonuses: $250,000 each for 35, 40 games finished. One-time $750,000 assignment bonus with trade.
  • 3 years/$25M (2016-18), plus 2019 mutual option. Signed by Kansas City as a free agent 12/10/15. 16:$7M, 17:$8M, 18:$9M, 19:$10M mutual option, $1M buyout. Annual performance bonuses: $0.2M each 30, 35, 40, 45, 50 games finished. 2016 performance bonuses: $0.1M each for 90 innings and each additional five IP through 185. $0.1M each for 14 starts and each additional start through 20. $0.1M each for 22, 24, 26 starts. 2017 performance bonuses: $0.1M each for 130 IP and each additional five IP through 200. $0.25M each for 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30 starts. If option is exercised, performance bonuses carry over to 2019. Acquired by Chicago White Sox in trade from Kansas City 1/4/18. Royals pay White Sox $1M as part of the deal. Acquired by Milwaukee in trade from Chicago White Sox 7/26/18 with $4,193,548 remaining on contract ($3,193,548 in 2018 salary and $1M for 2019 buyout). White Sox pay Brewers $1,064,516 as part of the deal. Milwaukee declined 2019 option 10/30/18.
  • 2 years/$8M (2013-14), plus 2015 club option. Signed by Texas as a free agent 12/3/12. 13:$2M, 14:$5.5M, 15:$7M club option, $0.5M buyout. Roster bonus: $0.5M with 1 day on 2013 active roster. 2014 salary increases based on 2013 games finished: $0.1M each for 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 60, 65, 70 GF. 2015 option increases by $1M to $8M and buyout increases by $0.25M to $0.75M with 55 GF in 2014 OR 100 GF in 2013-14. 2013 performance bonuses: $0.1M for 30 games. $50,000 for 35 games. $75,000 each for 40, 45, 50, 55 games. $0.1M each for 60, 65 games. $0.1M each for 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40 games finished. 2014 performance bonuses: $0.1M each for 10, 15, 20, 25 GF. $0.15M each for 30, 35, 40 GF. $0.2M each for 45, 50 GF. $0.25M for 60 GF. 2015 performance bonuses: $0.25M each for 45, 50, 55, 60 GF. Acquired by Detroit in trade from Texas 7/22/14. Detroit exercised 2015 option 10/31/14. Acquired by Pittsburgh in trade from Toronto 7/30/15 with $2,524,590 remaining on contract.
  • 3 years/$8.75M (2009-11), plus 2012-14 club options. Signed extension with Kansas City 5/17/08. 09:$1M, 10:$3M, 11:$4M, 12:$6M club option, $0.75M buyout, 13:$8M club option, 14:$8.75M club option. 2012 option guaranteed at $6M with 55 games in 2011 or 110 games in 2010-11. 2012 option guaranteed at $6.5M with 400 IP in 2010-11. Kansas City exercised $6M option for 2012 10/31/11. Kansas City declined option for 2013 10/31/12.
  • 1 year/$426,500 (2008). Re-signed by Kansas City 2/20/08.
  • 1 year/$380,000 (2007). Selected by Kansas City from San Diego in Rule 5 draft 12/06. Signed by Kansas City 2/07.
  • 1 year (2006). Signed by San Diego as a minor-league free agent 12/20/05.
  • 1 year (2005). Released by LA Dodgers 10/21/04. Signed for 2005 with Mexico City of Mexican League.
  • Signed by LA Dodgers 2001 as an amateur free agent from Mexico.

2019 Preseason Forecast

Last Update: 1/27/2017 12:35 ET

PCT W L SV G GS IP H BB SO HR BABIP WHIP ERA DRA VORP WARP
90o 0.1 0 0 0 0 14.6 10 4 16 1 .252 1.01 2.57 2.92 0.0 0.0
80o 0.1 0 0 0 0 9.6 7 3 10 1 .266 1.09 2.91 3.31 0.0 0.0
70o 0.1 0 0 0 0 6.0 5 2 6 1 .276 1.15 3.15 3.6 0.0 0.0
60o 0.1 0 0 0 0 3.1 3 1 3 0 .285 1.20 3.38 3.85 0.0 0.0
50o 0.1 0 0 0 0 0.4 0 0 0 0 .293 1.25 3.58 4.09 0.0 0.0
Weighted Mean?????0.0?00?.0000.000.00?0.00.0

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BP Annual Player Comments

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BP Articles

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BP Chats

DateQuestionAnswer
2018-12-11 13:00:00 (link to chat)Who are your top three most realistic starting pitchers and relievers that the twins should target? Could you speculate the years and annual salary of the free agents please?
(Sabir from Saint Paul)
Realistic? Maybe someone like Trevor Cahill among starters and Joakim Soria or Kelvin Herrera among relievers. I'd like to see them aim a bit higher, especially for the bullpen, but "realistic" is Twins speak for "decent but underwhelming" when it comes to free agency. Regardless of the specific names, I'd be surprised if the Twins went beyond two guaranteed seasons for any free agent this offseason. (Aaron Gleeman)
2018-07-26 12:00:00 (link to chat)Which current closers do you think will get dealt? Which will close for their new team?
(Austin from Texas)
Joakim Soria seems to be a guy who could easily get dealt, and will absolutely not close for his new team. Kirby Yates is a guy who's a little less likely to get dealt, but could close for a new team ... but only under certain situations. I'm not sure any other current closer gets moved. (Bryan Grosnick)
2015-09-21 20:30:00 (link to chat)Name some guys who is not currently a closer, but could be on opening day?
(Davin from Pittsburgh)
Joakim Soria, Tyler Clippard, Wade Davis and does Koji Uehara count? (Bret Sayre)
2015-04-16 17:00:00 (link to chat)Mike, Who wins the closers job in Detroit or do they trade for Papelbon?
(John from CT)
They'll probably stick with Joakim Soria unless the Phillies eat a ton of money or if Jon Papelbon negotiates away the vesting option. Bruce Rondon is the sleeper there. I suspect Joe Nathan is toast. (Mike Gianella)
2015-02-16 11:00:00 (link to chat)RJ, who will be a closer by midseason who didn't start the season in that role?
(Cal Guy from Cal)
Jake McGee and Sean Doolittle.

Uh, but if we're talking about ascending types, then I'd say Ken Giles is the obvious pick. He'd just disgusting. Beyond Giles, I'd have to roll with Joakim Soria and perhaps Jairo Diaz, depending on what the Rockies do with LaTroy Hawkins. (R.J. Anderson)
2014-07-28 19:00:00 (link to chat)Do you think the Tigers make Joakim Soria the closer before the year is over?
(Shawnykid23 from CT)
Nooooooope. Tigers closers are the Spinal Tap drummers of the world. He may and will close some games, but christen him as the closer and whoops there goes the walk rate all the way to the moon. (Matt Sussman)
2014-07-24 19:00:00 (link to chat)What current non-closing RP gets the most saves ROS?
(Shawnykid23 from CT)
Joakim Soria, Ken Giles, Vic Black, a random White Sox reliever. (Mauricio Rubio)
2014-03-14 09:00:00 (link to chat)Hey Mike, love the position rankings and appreciate them coming out early this year. Since some have been out a while are there any rankings that you would really like to change based on something you've seen in the Spring (like an injury perhaps)? Thanks.
(DanDaMan from Sea Cliff)
Hi Dan.

I reflect the changes in my bid limits that I update every week (including today! http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=23036). Today, I moved Joakim Soria up and Neftali Feliz down and moved Alexander Guerrero down and Dee Gordon up. Kris Medlen is out while Ervin Santana is in in the National League. Check out the rankings for all the latest movers and shakers. (Mike Gianella)
2013-12-10 18:00:00 (link to chat)Dynasty league (no limits or costs): Matt Moore, Jameson Taillon, Ryan Cook, and picks first 2 rounds in prospect draft, for Taijuan Walker, Shelby Miller, Yordano Ventura, and Joakim Soria. I assume you'd take Walker side, but I am selling a bit low on Moore considering the potential should he find his command?
(Slevin from Brooklyn)
Hey Slevin:

Hmm. I have to think about this one which means that the offer is probably in the ballpark in both directions. A lot depends on what is available in your prospect draft and what you think you can land with those 2 picks. Even in dynasty leagues, I generally like taking the proven commodity over the uncertainty, so from that standpoint I like Matt Moore better than any of the other pitchers in the deal. However, I have to assume that there isn't anything wrong with Shelby Miller and he certainly put up enough innings last year to be considered a Major League asset as well. With that in mind, I like Taijuan Walker and Yordano Ventura better than Jameson Taillon in that deal, and Joakim Soria has a better chance of closing than Ryan Cook in 2014. Again, much depends on what those picks will net at the minor league auction. Since it's dynasty, I'm assuming those picks will get you players who are talented but very far away. If you think you're going to compete this year, you probably want the Walker package. (Mike Gianella)
2013-10-30 12:00:00 (link to chat)Matthew, Have Uehara,Balfour, and Cook,is there chance all three could close next year?
(vampires from michigan)
Absolutely. There's a chance you could close next year. Or me. Well, not me. But you! Just look at who was closing a few seasons ago. Or, heck, I'll tell you. In 2010, the top five in saves were:

1. Brian Wilson
2. Heath Bell
3. Rafael Soriano
4. Joakim Soria
5. Matt Capps

I'm sure all those guys will get shots to close and I'm sure some of them will falter (or get injured) because some of them always falter (or get injured) and will get replaced. (Matthew Kory)
2013-09-26 13:00:00 (link to chat)Looking for saves in 2014, how many of these guys are capable/likely to grab 20+ saves next season: Trevor Rosenthal, David Robertson, Cody Allen, Jake McGee, Brian Wilson, Luke Gregerson, Pedro Strop, Drew Storen, Ryan Cook, Carlos Martinez, Vic Black, Joakim Soria, Neftali Feliz, Steve Delebar, Kelvin Herrera, Carter Capps, and/or AJ Ramos?
(J-Qwellin from Deplorable Future Leaders of America Club)
J-QWELLIN!!!! Interestingly enough, I'm working on such a piece re: 2014 closers. From your group, I'd go Rosy & D-Rob, but honestly any of them have the capability. I know that's a little copout-y, but that's the nature of the beast with relievers. (Paul Sporer)
2013-04-16 20:00:00 (link to chat)How do I value Addison Reed if I just started a dynasty rebuild? I know closers should be the first thing to go in a rebuild, but I can't help but believe he's relatively stable and likely to help me when I compete again in 2-3 years. Thanks
(JoeTinker from Chicago)
Here is a list of all closers who recorded 25 or more saves in 2010: Brian Wilson (48), Heath Bell (47), Rafael Soriano (45), Joakim Soria (43), Matt Capps (42), Neftali Feliz (40), Francisco Cordero (40), Carlos Marmol (38), Billy Wagner (37), Jonathan Papelbon (37), Kevin Gregg (37), Mariano Rivera (33), David Aardsma (31), Juan Oviedo (30), Bobby Jenks (27), Ryan Franklin (27), Brad Lidge (27), Jose Valverde (26), Francisco Rodriguez (25) and Andrew Bailey (25). (Bret Sayre)
2013-04-16 20:00:00 (link to chat)Do you think Brian Wilson or Joakim Soria become effective closers ever again? Is Feliz most likely going to close in Texas next season?
(Jim from Portland)
Soria, yes. Wilson, probably not. It will be a battle between Soria and Feliz in Texas next year, but the Rangers could always try Feliz back in the rotation again. (Bret Sayre)
2013-02-27 20:00:00 (link to chat)Does Joakim Soria have much keeper value left? When do you see him being fantasy viable again?
(zissou from naples)
Soria is a 2014 play for when after Joe Nathan leaves, and even that is obviously iffy. So, no, I don't see a lot of keeper value unless you're in a "keep forever" format. (Mike Gianella)
2013-02-15 12:00:00 (link to chat)To trade or to hold question. Ten team dynasty league 5x5. 15 keepers, 10 minors. First four rounds of picks returned to pool. Currently have Neftali Feliz and Joakim Soria. Should I hold them or try to trade either or both of them? Thank you.
(nictaclacta from Phoenix)
I'd deal both of them (Jason Collette)
2012-05-01 13:00:00 (link to chat)The Grand Rapids Grasshoppers ask that you peek into the future to tell us what will become of Michael Pineda. Should we just release him now, avoiding the frustration of another injury-riddled pitcher? Also, what would you do with a pitching coach who has worked with the likes of Pineda, Joakim Soria, Rich Harden, Joey Devine, Francisco Liriano, Shaun Marcum, Adam Miller, et al? lol
(GR Grasshoppers from Michigan)
Always good to hear from my favorite ex-36er. Being a Cubs fan, I'd send that pitching coach to St. Louis, of course.

You of all people I don't need to tell about the inherent riskiness of pitchers, but as I said before I think Pineda will come back strong. If I were in, say, a Strat league, I'd hang onto him. Unless you'd rather trade him for, oh, I dunno, Matt Capps. (Ken Funck)
2011-05-23 13:00:00 (link to chat)Hi Mike, thanks for the chat. Do you see anything from Joakim Soria that is worrisome, or do you think he's still fine-tuning his mechanics early in the season?
(BL from Bozeman, MT)
I haven't studied his mechanics in any detail, so I can't comment on that, but in general I think Soria is fine. He's just not as dominant as he was a couple years back when he could throw that killer curveball with two strikes.

I wrote more about Soria here: http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=13719 (Mike Fast)
2010-10-14 13:00:00 (link to chat)Why did Jonathon Broxton help ruin my fantasy team's chance at a 3-peat this year? Can you see him bouncing back next year? Which is a better Nintendo cover band, the NESkimos or Power Glove?
(jnelson33 from Office Desk)
I just got off the phone with Jonathan Broxton, and he told me it's because he doesn't like you. He also said he doesn't like me, and wanted to ruin my fantasy closer rankings. Then he said something about not having a "closer's mentality", and how he think he left it in some pants that were stolen from him at the laundry mat.

I think he can bounce back, but I've learned my lesson to rely on a closer that isn't Mariano Rivera, Heath Bell, Joakim Soria or Brian Wilson at the top spot in my rankings. Or anyone named Jonathan. (Marc Normandin)
2010-09-13 13:00:00 (link to chat)Please fill in the blank. This is the best NL Rookie Class since ________ (blank). Thanks! Bobby
(Bobby from New York)
Are we going strictly by league? Because the 2007 class had Ryan Braun, Troy Tulowitzki, Dustin Pedroia and Josh Hamilton among hitters, Tim Lincecum and Joakim Soria among pitchers. 2006 had Hanley Ramirez, Ryan Zimmerman, Andre Ethier, Prince Fielder, Ian Kinsler, Francisco Liriano, Justin Verlander, Jered Weaver, Josh Johnson, Matt Cain, Cole Hamels, Jonathan Papelbon (who used to not suck), Jonathan Broxton (ditto)...

There's a lot to be excited about with this year's rookie class (Posey, Heyward, Santana, Stanton) but I'm in no rush to appoint them the best class of the past five years until I see much more. (Jay Jaffe)
2010-08-02 13:30:00 (link to chat)What is your opinion of Tim Collins, the pitcher recently acquired by the Royals?
(Bbxpert from Kansas City)
It's hard not to share the enthusiasm for the little lefty. I liked the Royals/Braves trade for both teams, in that Collins could be an excellent southpaw set-up man for Joakim Soria, where the Braves have other young lefty relief talent they can rely on, and they could end up needing Ankiel or Farnsworth. (Christina Kahrl)
2010-08-02 13:30:00 (link to chat)Joakim Soria is on pace to shatter the saves record by a mile. If he stays healthy, does he become the best closer the game has seen?
(carlosrubi from México)
As great as the Mexicutioner has been, he's got a long way to go from 118. Even if Trevor Hoffman doesn't make it to 600 (he's at 596 and counting), Mariano Rivera's at 548. Picking anybody to deliver 10 straight 43-save save seasons just to catch Mo seems like a bit of a dodgy proposition, because of the number of things (or injuries) that might happen in the intervening time. (Christina Kahrl)
2010-02-16 16:00:00 (link to chat)You're a therapist, is there any way to talk me off w/o using the words "Zack" or "Greinke"? Should I just move to Europe and pretend to care about the world cup all summer?
(A Royals Fan from the ledge)
Sure. "Joakim Soria." And you should care about the World Cup. (Russell A. Carleton)
2010-01-14 16:00:00 (link to chat)I second the request for a BP event in Toronto Besides Chase Utley, what player(s) are people going to look at a generation from now and wonder why people didn't appreciate them more?
(dtwhite from Toronto)
Joakim Soria, please report to somewhere other than KC. (Russell A. Carleton)
2008-05-23 13:00:00 (link to chat)Good afternoon, Caleb! Is Josh Hamilton a deity, or a mere Kryptonian? Seriously, I think I have a man-crush.
(Or from Dallas)
Man, he is something special, huh? As Will Carroll said the other day, I wouldn't be surprised if he could fly. He's in that class of players, along with a guy like Joakim Soria, where you just don't know what the limit is because they came out of nowhere and dominated at the highest level right away. But leading the AL in batting and slugging, and the majors in RBI? As of right now, the Hamilton/Volquez deal is looking like one of the best ever in terms of immediate value for both teams. (Caleb Peiffer)
2008-03-19 13:00:00 (link to chat)Just curious about your thoughts on Matt Capps or Joakim Soria as picks in fantasy baseball, particularly as they may compare to closers on better teams? They seem to have all the peripheral stats, but are on going to be on bad teams. PS - I've been stationed overseas for 3 years, and the day I get the new BP in the mail is always one of my favorits. Thanks!
(pgjuetten from Germany)
I'd rather have a solid closer on a good team than a solid closer on a bad team, so I'd take Borowski over those two. (Will Carroll)
2008-02-28 14:00:00 (link to chat)The notion of moving Joakim Soria to the rotation... do it now, do it never, or do it later?
(BL from Bozeman)
He's had some problems in the past, and when you're as good as he's been initially in a relief role, as Jonathan Papelbon demonstrates, it becomes very hard to move past the automatic instinct to not fix what isn't broken. (Christina Kahrl)


BP Roundtables

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PITCHf/x Pitcher Profile

A Collaboration between BrooksBaseball.net and Baseball Prospectus - Pitch classifications provided by Pitch Info LLC


Although he has not thrown an MLB pitch in 2024, Joakim Soria threw 12,687 pitches that were tracked by the PITCHf/x system between 2007 and 2021, all of them occuring in Spring Training. In 2021, he relied primarily on his Fourseam Fastball (93mph) and Slider (78mph), also mixing in a Splitter (88mph). He also rarely threw a Curve (70mph).