Royals decline option for Soria

The Royals have declined their 2013 club option for pitcher Joakim Soria. Soria will now earn a $750k buyout instead of the $8 million salary.

Soria missed the entire 2012 season following Tommy John surgery. Before that he proved to be one of the most reliable closer's in the game. He has a career 2.40 ERA with 160 career saves.

Analysis: This does not surprise me at all. The Royals are looking to get younger and cheaper-along with starting pitching. Soria is a great reclamation project to take a flier on, and I can certainly see him coming back to the Royals on an incentive based deal. However, I believe that the closer's job should belong to Greg Holland because Holland is younger, cheaper , and has an explosive arm.