MLB

Soriano opts out, leaving vacancy in Yankees bullpen

STAY SORI? Fill-in closer Rafael Soriano’s return to the Yankees is up in the air after he opted out of the final year of a three-year contract to pursue a big-bucks deal behind agent Scott Boras, joining Bronx mainstay Mariano Rivera, who is weighing retirement, in free agency. (Getty Images)

The Yankees are now without a closer.

Rafael Soriano became a free agent when he opted out of the final year of his contract yesterday, and with Mariano Rivera still undecided about his future, the in-flux Yankees have a temporary void at the back end of their bullpen.

“It doesn’t surprise me,” team president Randy Levine said of Soriano’s opt-out.

Soriano was due $14 million next season in the final year of a three-year, $35 million contract, but instead will get a $1.5 million buyout from the Yankees. Soriano’s agent, Scott Boras, negotiated for player opt-out clauses after each of the first two years of the deal.

“Scott Boras told me he was confident that he could get Rafael a $60-million contract for four years,” Levine said. “We like Rafael Soriano. We want him back. If that’s what his agent can get him, I understand why he opted out.”

Boras said he made Soriano no guarantees.

“Randy and I had a discussion,” Boras said. “He requested we make an offer. [Soriano] had a great experience in New York and was very successful. The Yankees remain [among] the clubs he wants to look at and continue to play for. I never make promises to clients what the market will be.

“As to the Yankees getting the info [$60 million for four years], I don’t know where that came from. I know that didn’t come from [Soriano]. I just talked to him.”

When asked if Soriano’s move to opt out significantly hurts his chances of returning to The Bronx, general manager Brian Cashman said, “Sure … He’s a free agent.”

The Yankees plan to make Soriano, who turns 33 next month, a qualifying offer worth $13.3 million to assure themselves a draft pick if he goes to another team. The right-hander has until Nov. 9 to accept the Yankees’ offer. That offer, plus the buyout, would in effect give Soriano an $800,000 raise for 2013 if he accepts it — though that appears unlikely.

After pitching inconsistently in a setup role for two seasons with the Yankees, Soriano’s bargaining power increased when he notched 42 saves in 46 chances in the regular season after replacing Rivera, who was lost for the season when he tore his right ACL in May.

Soriano performed well in the playoffs, throwing 4 1/3 scoreless innings combined in the ALDS win over the Orioles and ALCS sweep at the hands of the Tigers.

The Yankees continue to wait on Rivera’s decision regarding whether he will play next season. After initially vowing to make a comeback from the knee injury, Rivera told Cashman last week he was undecided.

If the 42-year-old Rivera, who made $15 million last season, wants to return, the Yankees likely will let Soriano walk. If Rivera ends up retiring, the Yankees could attempt to lure Soriano back, though it is doubtful they would commit to a four-year contract.

Should both closers leave, the Yankees would be forced to either go with David Robertson, who has had difficulty in limited action as closer, or sign a free agent who would not jeopardize their chances of getting payroll under $189 million in 2014.

* The Yankees also announced infielder Casey McGehee, who arrived in a midseason trade from the Pirates, chose to become a free agent instead of accepting an outright assignment. Right-hander Brad Meyers, a Rule 5 Draft pick, was returned to the Nationals after spending all of last season on the disabled list.

* Gil Patterson was hired as minor league pitching coordinator. Patterson had been a candidate to become pitching coach after Dave Eiland’s departure two years ago and most recently worked with the A’s. The former Yankees pitcher replaces Nardi Contreras, who will stay with the organization.

* The team announced it donated $500,000 to the American Red Cross to help relief efforts associated with Hurricane Sandy in the Tri-State area.