MLB Trade Rumors: New York Yankees May Pursue Alfonso Soriano
By Josh Hill
Curtis Granderson broke his arm Sunday and it was determined that he’ll be out until the first week of May at the earliest. This puts a massive void in the New York outfield, one that might be filled by acquiring a former player. The Chicago Cubs have made it no secret that they’re willing to get rid of Alfonso Soriano and want to badly enough that they’re willing to eat a majority of his massive $36 million salary.
According to ESPN’s Buster Olney, Soriano has expressed interest in playing for the Yankees once again and with the recent situation with Granderson, the Yankees might be considering a reunion as well.
Alfonso Soriano loved playing for the Yankees, and told me last summer that was a team to which he would accept a deal. Could make sense.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) February 24, 2013
Cubs have made it clear to the industry that they would be willing to eat a whole lot of the $36 million owed to Soriano for next 2 years.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) February 24, 2013
The move makes a sense for the Yankees, but Soriano’s unreliability is something that has to be underlined here. However, if he’s traded to the Yankees, Soriano would once again be in the American League and could be used as a designated hitter in New York, something he can’t be in Chicago and the National League.
Soriano showed bursts of solid hitting in interleague play last year, proving that he may able to hack it against American League pitching in a situation where he doesn’t have to worry about fielding.
Obviously if he becomes the Yankees DH, it does little to fill the whole left by Granderson, but we could be looking at a situation where Soriano fills the void until May and then slides back to a DH role once Granderson returns.
Soriano’s situation in Chicago has been in flux since the trade deadline last season and while there hasn’t been a resolution yet, it appears we may have on on the horizon soon.