Nationals load up in bullpen with Rafael Soriano for two years, $28 million

The Washington Nationals obviously feel like there's more than one way to build a pitching staff. Unable to make a huge splash with Zack Greinke and unwilling to meet the demands of several left-handed relievers on the free-agent market, the Nats made a big commitment to Rafael Soriano on Tuesday, signing him for two years and $28 million. The contract also calls for a vesting option for 2015 — all reported first by Yahoo! Sports' own Jeff Passan — meaning if Soriano is healthy and pitches effectively, it's practically a three-year deal. Soriano in 2012 finished with 2.26 ERA and 69 strikeouts and 42 saves in 69 appearances, filling in flawlessly for Mariano Rivera. His addition to Tyler Clippard and Drew Storen gives the Nats one of the more talented bullpen back ends in the league. Storen was great for the Nats until Game 5 of the NLDS when the St. Louis Cardinals made the king of ...