Rafael Soriano may use opt-out clause to gain multiyear deal with Yankees

Rafael Soriano may use his opt-out clause to sign a multiyear deal with another team or extend his commitment with the Yankees. (Rob Carr, Getty Images)

Yankees reliever Rafael Soriano is likely to use an opt-out clause that allows him to leave the team after this season according to CBS Sports' Jon Heyman. Soriano is set to make $14 million in 2013; if he opts out, there would be a $1.5 million buyout.

While the Yankees don't seem to believe Soriano would exercise the clause to leave the team, he may use it as leverage to negotiate a new multiyear deal.

"Yankees people believe they have a very solid relationship with the quirky Soriano and aren't convinced he'd exercise the opt-out clause when $14 million is a significant salary. It's also possible the sides could work out a multiyear deal, in which Soriano would set up in 2013 then close after that."

However, a multiyear deal would make it hard for the Yankees to keep their payroll below the luxury-tax threshold ($189 million), one of the team's goals in 2014. Their current payroll is just under $198 million.