Royals may negotiate new deal with Joakim Soria

The Kansas City Royals are expected to exercise their $750k buyout on closer Joakim Soria's $8 million contract option for 2013, but may look to re-sign the right-hander on a cheaper deal, reports Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star:

The Royals hold a club option for $8 million for next season on Soria but are expected to exercise a $750,000 buyout clause. The deadline for a decision is three days following the conclusion of the World Series.

Both sides have expressed interest in working out a new deal.

The 28-year-old right-hander missed the entire 2012 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in March, and is not expected to return until Spring Training of next year at the earliest. The March procedure marks the second time that Soria has had to have TJ surgery in his career.

Soria made his first big step in his recovery Tuesday, throwing a baseball for the first time since March 18. The right-hander made twenty-five throws at forty-five feet and reported no pain or discomfort in his elbow. Whether the Royals take a shot on Soria will likely depend on how his recovery progresses over the next several months.