Braves, Rays discuss Soriano trade

By David O'Brien

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Indianapolis – As the Braves made some progress toward trading reliever Rafael Soriano on Wednesday, they also let teams know they might pay part of Derek Lowe's remaining contract in order to facilitate a trade of the veteran pitcher.

After talking with as many as six teams about Soriano on Wednesday, the Braves were believed to be in fairly deep negotiations with Tampa Bay about a deal that would make him the Rays' closer.

Braves general manager Frank Wren and Rays GM Andrew Friedman came off an elevator together Wednesday night and walked into a Scout of the Year banquet at the downtown Marriott, where the Winter Meetings conclude Thursday.

Wren spent much of the day discussing possible deals for Soriano and Lowe, who's owed $45 million over the final three years of a four-year, $60-million contract.

While a Soriano trade could be finalized before the meetings adjourn, Wren said the other situation might be slower to develop. The Braves have six starters for five rotation spots and want to trade Lowe to clear up payroll they could use to sign a hitter.

While the Braves have not specifically said that Lowe is the starter they are trying to trade, officials for several other teams have confirmed that to be the case.

"That's more in the beginning stages," Wren said of trading a starter. "I really don't think we're going to have a good read on that [market] until some of the bigger pitchers sign."

There were reports Wednesday that teams balked at the Braves' refusal to pay any of Soriano's projected salary. Wren said there had been no discussions about money in Soriano trade talks.

To finalize a trade with the cash-strapped Rays, the Braves might have to consider paying a small portion of Soriano's salary and receiving a better player or prospect than might otherwise be expected in such a deal.

Soriano accepted the Braves' arbitration offer on Monday and trading him became an immediate priority. The Braves already signed closer Billy Wagner and setup man Takashi Saito last week to replace free agent relievers Soriano and Mike Gonzalez.

Soriano could make more than $7 million through arbitration and the Braves planned to leave it up to any team that trades for him to decide whether they want to go through arbitration or try to sign Soriano to a one-year or multi-year contract.

There were doubts about how good a player or prospect the Braves should expect in a trade for Soriano; after all, teams interested in him had balked at giving up a high draft pick in order to sign him as a free agent.

Boston, the New York Yankees, Los Angeles Angels, Baltimore and Houston were among the teams with interest in Soriano this week, but some wanted him as a free agent and not as much in a trade.

Lowe talks haven't progressed far with any team. The Angels have him on their radar, but Lowe is behind at least a couple of others starters on their wish list – their own free agent John Lackey and Toronto ace Roy Halladay, who could be traded.