Rafael Soriano

Rafael Soriano has decided to retire from baseball. The 36-year-old had signed a minor league deal with the Blue Jays, but he never arrived to camp due to issues with his Visa.

Fantasy Impact

Soriano wasn't expected to have much fantasy value in 2016, if any, considering his limited action in 2015. When he was healthy and active he was impressive, totaling 40-plus saves three times in four years with three different teams, the Rays, Yankees and Nationals.

The Chicago Cubs have placed RP Rafael Soriano on the 15-day disabled list with shoulder inflammation.

Fantasy Impact

The Cubs were high on Soriano, willing to pay $4 million for less than a full season of his services. This gave owners a reason to believe he would ultimately end up in a late-inning role with the club, with the potential of him becoming Chicago's closer. Since joining the team, the veteran has struggled immensely, and it looks like this DL stint will end any chance of him contributing significantly this fantasy season.

The Chicago Cubs and veteran reliever Rafael Soriano have agreed to a minor league contract. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. The 35-year-old right-hander has 207 career saves over 13 seasons.

Fantasy Impact

While Soriano will most likely report to the minors to get back in playing shape, the reliever will head to the North Side not long after. With Hector Rondon pulled from the closer role, Soriano steps into the Cubs bullpen as the most experienced closer on the staff. Also working in his favor, Soriano does have experience with manager Joe Madden, as he saved 40 games for the Rays in 2010 when Madden was in Tampa. If you have room on your bench and need closing help, pick up Soriano now as he will closing games for the Cubbies before long.

As the Cubs bullpen continues to struggle, the club's interest in free agent reliever Rafael Soriano heats up. Agent Scott Boras told reporters that the former Nationals reliever is close to a deal with one of the teams and the Cubs are in the mix. The Cubs bullpen has blown eight saves and has an ERA over 4.50 this season.

Fantasy Impact

Soriano would be a good upgrade to the Cubs pen as he has plenty of major league closing experience. The 35-year-old reliever has 207 career saves but did struggle the last half of 2014 in Washington. If he were to join the Cubs, expectations are that Soriano would start out in a set-up role. He would also provide a safety net in the back-end of the bullpen, in case Hector Rondon continues to struggle in the ninth.

The Miami Marlins are no longer considering free agent Rafael Soriano as a bullpen option.

Fantasy Impact

The Marlins were "deep in talks" with Soriano's agent, Scott Boras, as recently as this morning. The latest news, however, is that he is no longer an option for the Fish.