MLB

Former Royals closer Soria wants to set up for Yankees

Joakim Soria wants to be a closer next season — unless he’s pitching for the Yankees.

The agent of the former Royals closer told ESPN.com a chance to be Mariano Rivera’s setup man would be an appealing possibility.

“If the Yankees call, we will be all ears,” Oscar Suarez told the website yesterday. “If there is a fit, Joakim would be elated to work with Mo. He would close everywhere except there.”

Soria missed the entire 2012 season following Tommy John surgery. Last week, Kansas City declined his $8 million option for 2013. Suarez said eight teams have reached out to him about Soria, but the Yankees and general manager Brian Cashman have not. The 28-year-old is unlikely to be ready to pitch at the start of the season, but Suarez said Soria could be pitching in the majors in May.

The Yankees’ closer situation gained clarity last week when Rivera confirmed to the Yankees he would return after he missed most of last season with a torn ACL. It is less certain whether Rafael Soriano will come back after he opted out of the final year of his contract and now has a one-year qualifying offer from the Yankees.

With the GM meetings opening this week, Soria may not be a free agent for long.

“Joakim is not a greedy individual,” Suarez said. “He wants to win, so if it is [the] right situation, he is probably not going to be a guy to wait until February. If he goes back to Kansas City, he loves the people and he will be part of the rebuilding process.”

* The Yankees yesterday claimed catcher Eli Whiteside off waivers from the Giants. The 33-year-old, a .215 career hitter, spent the majority of the season in Triple-A.