Report: Cubs interested in free agent reliever Rafael Soriano

With seven blown saves and a 4.20 bullpen ERA that ranks amongst the worst in MLB, it makes sense that the Chicago Cubs are looking to upgrade their relief pitching corps.

CSN Chicago’s Patrick Mooney is reporting that the Cubs are one of the teams interested in signing free agent right-hander Rafael Soriano. Scott Boras, Soriano’s agent, indicated Thursday that his client could be joining a big-league team soon after failing to land a contract in the offseason because of his high price tag.

Here’s what Boras had to say, via Mooney:

“I think Soriano could help about 10 teams now,” Boras said. “He’s second in the National League in saves the last two years. Teams are reaching out. We’re pretty close to structuring a deal for him.”

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Soriano, 35, has plenty of experience in late inning situations. Over the course of his 13-year major league career, he’s posted a 2.85 ERA and compiled 207 saves. He had a 3.19 ERA in 62 innings for the Washington Nationals last season but did struggle after the All-Star break and ended up out of the closer’s role in September.

Hector Rondon has been solid as the go-to guy in the ninth for the Cubs, picking up nine saves in 11 opportunities. Otherwise though, the rest of the bullpen hasn’t been great and could use a veteran presence at the back end.

It doesn’t appear a deal is at all imminent, but Soriano would be an intriguing get as a set-up man for a Cubs team that’s 23-17 just passed the season’s quarter-mark and currently holding one of the wild-card spots in the National League.

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Israel Fehr is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter. Follow @israelfehr