Brian Cashman says Hal Steinbrenner forced Alfonso Soriano trade

Jul 28, 2013; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees left fielder Alfonso Soriano (12) is congratulated by teammates after hitting a game-winning single against the Tampa Bay Rays during the ninth inning of a game at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

Brian Cashman, the general manager of the New York Yankees, revealed on Sunday that he was pushed into making the recent trade for Alfonso Soriano by Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner. Considering how the game against the Tamp Bay Rays ended on Sunday, maybe rushing into the deal wasn’t such a bad call by the owner

Here’s Cashman’s explanation (via ESPN):

"I didn’t want to give up [Single-A pitcher] Corey Black, but I didn’t nix the Soriano deal. I did not want to do Corey Black. We had been negotiating with the Cubs for a long time. They wanted something more a week earlier and ownership, obviously, in our discussions [felt] we needed to do something. They were like, ‘Hey, we are not going to wait anymore to negotiate, we have to get this done now.’"

Cashman continued:

"We need offense. He makes us better. I’ve said that all that. I didn’t want to give up good arm, but I know we have to do something to get this guy back and my ownership, every step of the process, they said, ‘We can’t wait any longer. We have a chance to get it now. We have to get it now.’ That was it."

Soriano hit .254 with 17 home runs and 51 RBIs for the Chicago Cubs this season.

[Source: ESPN]

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