Braves, Soriano reach 2-year deal

ATLANTA -- The Atlanta Braves agreed to a two-year deal on today with Rafael Soriano, a right-handed reliever the team plans to use as its closer.

Financial terms were not immediately available, but when arbitration figures were exchanged last week Soriano was seeking 3.4 million dollars and the team offered 2.4 million.

General manager Frank Wren said Soriano will have an important role in 2008 as the closer.

Soriano had a 3.00 ERA in a career-high 71 appearances last year. He converted nine of his 12 save opportunities and held opponents to a .181 batting average.

Soriano would have been eligible for free agency after the 2008 season.