Fansided

New York Yankees release outfielder Alfonso Soriano

By Jake Misener

Jun 7, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; New York Yankees designated hitter Alfonso Soriano (12) takes batting practice before the game against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. The Royals won 8-4. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 7, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; New York Yankees designated hitter Alfonso Soriano (12) takes batting practice before the game against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. The Royals won 8-4. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /
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Just a year after signing Alfonso Soriano to help add an offensive punch, the New York Yankees have released veteran outfielder, according to the MLB.com transactions page.

MLB Trade Rumors had a great amount of information on Soriano’s struggles – as well as his resurgence over the past two seasons in Chicago with the Cubs and in New York with Joe Girardi‘s Yankees.

"Soriano has been struggling this season, batting just .221/.244/.367 with six homers in 238 plate appearances.  Still, the news comes as a surprise given Soriano’s lifetime body of work.  In fact, before this season, Soriano was in the midst of a career resurgence with a .258/.312/.494 slash line between 2012 and 2013 with the Cubs and Yankees."

In 16 seasons spent with New York, Texas, Washington and Chicago, the now-38-year-old Soriano has a triple slash of .270/.319/.500 with 412 home runs, which ranks 50th all-time. He has indicated in the past that he would consider retirement, but he also stands a fair chance of picking up with a club looking for a power bat – although he may be better suited for an American League team, which would enable him to DH rather than play the field.

New York will have to pay Soriano the remaining $5 million on his contract after releasing him following the team’s trade for starting pitcher Brandon McCarthy.

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