Rafael Soriano: Mariano Rivera's Injury Gives Expensive Pitcher Chance To Shine

The New York Yankees signed Rafael Soriano to a three-year, $35 million deal after he turned in a 45-save, 1.73 ERA and 0.80 WHIP-season in 2010 with the Tampa Bay Rays.

At the time it was a "if we can't beat him, sign him" type deal for New York. Rather than let the Rays have a closer of their own, the Yanks brought him in to be the set-up man for Mariano Rivera. 

It hasn't gone as planned, but now the Yankees and Soriano have a chance to prove that deal wasn't a mistake.

Mo is done for the year after tearing his ACL while catching fly balls during batting practice. While the initial reaction is "wow, how stupid can you be to let your Hall of Fame closer shag fly balls?", this was a common practice of Mo's. There is a chance the 42-year-old may never pitch in the bigs again.

As for Soriano, he's on a short list that also includes David Robertson for the now vacant closing job in New York.

The vacancy is not only a rarity, it is basically unheard of. Mo has been the man out of the bullpen since taking over for John Wetteland after the Yanks' 1996 World Series win.

For the past 14 years he's been a machine, recording less than 30 saves only once.

The Yankees without Mariano Rivera is something an entire generation of fans haven't experienced before. But that time is officially upon us now.

Soriano isn't guaranteed to be the closer, but he can make right as the set-up man if Robertson is given the first crack. If he can't handle the job, Soriano will certainly get his chance.

The time is now for the $35-million man to do right by the Yanks.