Cubs Rumors: Andrew Miller close to joining St. Louis Cardinals

Cubs Rumors: Soria off the board, joining the Athletics

Recently, we talked about how a guy like veteran right-hander Joakim Soria could make sense for the Cubs. But that doesn’t matter now, because according to Jon Heyman, Soria and the Oakland Athletics have agreed to terms on a two-year, $15 million deal.

Soria split 2018 between the Chicago White Sox and Milwaukee Brewers, pitching to a 3.12 clip in 66 appearances. Heading into his age-35 campaign, he definitely comes with some risk, but adding a veteran presence to the Cubs’ pen would have been a nice move – especially at this price range.

Instead, he’ll join the A’s, a team looking to chase down the Houston Astros in the AL West. With the Angels likely to be mediocre once more and the Rangers and Seattle rebuilding, it’s a two-horse race in 2019.

Soria, who carries a 3.33 ERA and 3.24 FIP since 2015,  joins a pen headlined by All-Star closer Blake Treinen – giving Oakland manager Bob Melvin even more depth heading into next season. Soria isn’t the type of guy who completely changes the makeup of a bullpen, but he’s one of those guys who takes the ball and gets the job done in those middle innings, something Chicago could definitely use some help with.