On the Move: Joakim Soria

The Texas Rangers are certainly in no position to be buyers come the July 31 trade deadline, but the question is to what degree they will be sellers?

On the move: Joakim Soria, RHP

2014 stats: 1-3 record, 2.83 ERA, 16 saves, 40 strikeouts, four walks

Reasons to move: The Rangers aren't going anywhere this season, that much is established. Soria has been one of the bright spots in an otherwise depressing year, as he's shown he has the ability to be an all-star caliber closer once again after several dominant years closing games for the Kansas City Royals pre-Tommy John. There are several contenders desperate for bullpen help, and Soria could be just that, possibly even as a closer somewhere like Detroit, where he could steal a gig from former teammate Joe Nathan.

Reasons to keep: Who's going to close games if Soria is elsewhere come July 31? We're not talking about this season. That doesn't so much matter. But the Rangers fully expect to be contenders in 2015, and the only other guy on the roster capable of being a closer is Neftali Feliz. The former all-star closer was recalled on Friday after a nice run in Triple-A Round Rock. But has he regained his elite closer stuff? That's still up for debate. Also, Soria has a club-friendly $7 million team option for 2015. That's a nice deal for an elite setup man, much less an elite closer.

Final verdict: It's going to depend on the return the Rangers get, but of all their movable bullpen guys, Soria would command the most in return, especially because of his controllable 2015 status. If they get the right package, expect him to move. But the Rangers won't, and shouldn't move him for any old package of prospects.

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