Two-time All-Star closer Joakim Soria is calling it a career, according to the right-hander’s agent, Oscar Suarez. The news was first reported by MLB Network insider Ken Rosenthal.
Soria, 37, spent half of his 14-year career with the Royals, who first acquired the reliever from the Padres in the 2006 Rule 5 Draft, then watched him become one of the most valuable Rule 5 picks — and closers — in franchise history. Soria recorded 162 of his 229 career saves with the Royals and narrowly missed their World Series title run in 2015, returning to the club in ’16 after closing games for the Rangers, Tigers and Pirates from 2013-15.
The native of Monclova, Mexico, placed seventh in 2007 AL Rookie of the Year balloting after recording 17 saves in his debut season, and he cemented his reputation as one of the game’s most feared closers the next season. Soria earned his first All-Star nod in ’08, saving 42 games and posting a 1.60 ERA, but he one-upped himself two years later with a career-best 43 saves to earn another All-Star Game appearance and down-ballot Cy Young and MVP consideration.
Soria, who signed with the D-backs last offseason and was dealt to Toronto at the Trade Deadline, also pitched for the A’s, White Sox and Brewers. Before retiring, he was fifth among active Major Leaguers in saves and fourth in games finished with 427.