TIGERS LAND RELIEVER SORIA FROM TEXAS
The Detroit Tigers acquired pitcher Joakim Soria from the Texas Rangers for pitchers Corey Knebel and Jake Thompson.
What does it give the Detroit Tigers
The Tigers were seeking bullpen help but didn't want to acquire a strict ninth-inning closer, because they still believe in struggling veteran {P Joe Nathan}. So, they opted for the versatile Soria, who has been a closer, starter and setup man in his big-league career. He is also familiar with Nathan, as they were teammates in Texas last season. Detroit paid a steep price here, but at least they got better in the 'pen for the time being.
What does it give the Texas Rangers
Knebel, the 39th overall selection in the 2013 MLB First-Year Player Draft, is a Texas native with a bright future as a big-league closer. In fact, he made his MLB debut earlier this season for Detroit and could be back up to the bigs shortly. For now, the Rangers will likely use veterans {P Neftali Feliz} and {P Neal Cotts} to close out games down the stretch, but Knebel is now clearly the closer of the future. As for Thompson, he's another Texan with plenty of upside (he's a starter). The 20-year old has reached Double-A ball and could find his way to the Rangers' rotation in 2015. This was a tremendous trade for the injury-sacked Rangers.
Fantasy impact
Soria loses a lot of fantasy value after this deal, because he goes from closing in Texas to a setup role in Detroit. He may not even pitch the eighth inning with the Tigers, since {P Joba Chamberlain} has been very good in that role this season. However, Soria may upend Nathan at some point and close once again. Both Knebel and Thompson have obvious keeper-league appeal and should be squarely on the fantasy radar now. The biggest short-term winner here is probably Feliz, but Knebel could be closing in Texas by season's end.
