According to a person familiar with the situation, there’s a good chance New York Yankees right-hander Rafael Soriano exercises his opt-out clause following the 2012 season, reports Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com:

There is a good chance Rafael Soriano invokes his opt-out clause following a season in which he's been a savior for the Yankees, people familiar with the situation say.

While Soriano’s contract with the Yankees runs through the 2013 season, it includes an opt-out clause that would allow him to void the final year. If he did so, he would receive a $1.5 million buyout and become a free agent.

Considering his age, 32, and the way he’s pitched this season, 2.17 ERA and thirty-seven saves, Heyman believes Soriano has an opportunity to cash in on the open market. That may be the right-hander’s goal, but he could also use the clause to increase his agreement with New York similar to how C.C. Sabathia did last offseason.