Opportunity led to a change in Rays' plans

The market changed. It's as simple as that. Well, that and getting owner Stuart Sternberg to pony up $7.25 million for a closer.

When Sternberg said a week ago there was not a $7 million closer in the Rays' immediate future, it was because no one in the front office envisioned Rafael Soriano would accept the Braves' offer of arbitration late Monday night.

"It wasn't really a move that was on our radar when we took off for (the winter meetings in) Indianapolis," Rays executive vice president Andrew Friedman said Friday. "It was kind of the perfect storm of events for us. Had he not accepted arbitration I don't think he would be a Tampa Bay Ray right now."

Had Soriano not accepted arbitration he would have been a free agent, and the Braves would have received a draft pick from the team that signed their former closer. Instead, Friedman was able to trade pitcher Jesse Chavez, who was acquired from Pittsburgh for Akinori Iwamura. Soriano had to agree to the trade, and the Rays had to sign Soriano, which they did Friday for $7.25 million.

"I had been speaking to my agent and preparing mentally for whatever may happen and wherever I may end up," Soriano said. "I'm very pleased to be part of Tampa Bay's team. It's a young team, and they were just in the World Series a couple of years ago."

Soriano's contract pushes the Rays payroll near $70 million, which is a financial reach for a team that really can't reach that high.

"We didn't have room, and we don't have room," team president Matt Silverman said. "A payroll that we had last year isn't one that's sustainable for us given where we are with revenues today, and certainly this addition is one that puts us at a level that's even less sustainable but is an important move for our organization, and we'll see the effects of this in the future, but for now we're focused on what Rafael can add to us in 2010."

Friedman wouldn't talk about how the bump in payroll impacts the possible trade that will send Pat Burrell to the Cubs for Milton Bradley - a deal that hinges on the Cubs eating as much of the remaining two years and $15 million on Bradley's contract as they can.

Also, the Rays have until midnight today to tender contracts to arbitration-eligible players. Included among the group are catchers Dioner Navarro, who can receive a $3 million contract, and Kelly Shoppach, who can receive a $2.5 million deal.

"I think there's definitely a chance, for the most part, this is the team we go into April with," Friedman said. "That being said, five days ago I didn't think we'd end up with Rafael Soriano."