Next to go: Soriano

[GYBE]

In dire need of a bat with thump and an indication the Yankees may believe that Alex Rodriguez isn’t going to play this season, the toothless Bombers are close to acquiring Alfonso Soriano from the Cubs, The Post has learned.

According to a person familiar with the talks, the Cubs will pay the bulk of what is left on Soriano’s contract. He makes $18 million this year and the same for next season.

Like they did in the Vernon Wells deal, whatever the Yankees pay will be laid out for the little more than the $6 million remaining Soriano’s contract this season. That way the Yankees aren’t on the hook for money next year when they want to get the payroll to $189 million. Soriano has a no-trade clause, but he would not block a deal to put him back in Pinstripes.

In return the Cubs will get a mid-level prospect.

http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/yankees/ ... n8CCldxIEK

I don't know what they believe a mid-level prospect is, but if we're paying almost all his salary we deserve someone good. He was a 3.6 WAR player last year and he'll be cheap for NY.

[hermes]

well its been a long time coming for this

only one mid-level prospect and we're paying the majority of his contract? we must really want to be rid of him

[karch34]

well its been a long time coming for this

only one mid-level prospect and we're paying the majority of his contract? we must really want to be rid of him

Yeah. Its basically just finding someone to take him for free.

[hermes]

http://baseball.realgm.com/src_wiretap_ ... r_soriano/

The Cubs scouted Chase Whitley over the weekend.

Whitley is a right-hander pitching for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in New York's system.

The Yankees are reportedly close to acquiring Soriano from Chicago.

so what's the story on chase?

[hermes]

although maybe its not as close as we're led to believe
http://baseball.realgm.com/src_wiretap_ ... eliminary/

While the Cubs and Yankees are in talks regarding Alfonso Soriano, the two clubs have only engaged in "preliminary" discussions on a trade.

The New York Post reported Tuesday morning that New York and Chicago were close to a trade.

Jed Hoyer called the report "very premature; we've had conversations with multiple teams about him, but nothing close" on MLB Network Radio.

[ChronicKerr]

Whitley is a right handed reliever. Been in AAA the past few years and should be ready to contribute out of the pen very soon.

[karch34]

although maybe its not as close as we're led to believe
http://baseball.realgm.com/src_wiretap_ ... eliminary/

While the Cubs and Yankees are in talks regarding Alfonso Soriano, the two clubs have only engaged in "preliminary" discussions on a trade.

The New York Post reported Tuesday morning that New York and Chicago were close to a trade.

Jed Hoyer called the report "very premature; we've had conversations with multiple teams about him, but nothing close" on MLB Network Radio.

Could be wanting to avoid a Dempster fiasco and making sure the no trade clause isn't an issue.

[hermes]

i had forgotten about the no trade clause

although going back to new york would seem like a thing he might want to do, right?

[Air Poohdini]

Soriano has told Jed that he wouldn't mind going to the Yankees.

[hermes]

seems like soriano wants out (wants to win now)

bad news is that the return value could take a hit, we'll see what happens

[RoundMoundOfRebound]

I hope they get it done. Time to turn that page.

[ThisGuyFawkes]

I'd love to see what type of player Jed and Theo can bring back for Soriano. If the Cubbies are paying most of Sori's salary, I think it should be a decent prospect (someone who has a chance to impact our bullpen). Otherwise, I think Sori has a lot of value staying on our team and bringing veteran leadership.

[BIGGIEsmalls 23]

Sources: Alfonso Soriano deal close

Alfonso Soriano is close to returning to the New York Yankees, sources told ESPN.com on Thursday night.

The Chicago Cubs scratched Soriano from the lineup against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday and a deal is close, according to Cubs manager Dale Sveum.

-------------------------------------------

Epstein boarded a plane back to Chicago after talking to Sveum on Thursday night. The Cubs' top executive had a conversation with Soriano on Tuesday night and asked the player whether he would waive his no-trade clause to return to the Yankees. The Cubs are still waiting for the formal waiver from Soriano.

The Cubs would get a little salary relief and a lower-tier pitching prospect in the trade, according to sources.

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/95102 ... ng-sources

[Dominator83]

Geez. Paying most of his deal AND getting a lower tier player back? They should make the Yanks pony up more $$$$ if theyre not willing to give up anybody. They got more money than any team in baseball

[hermes]

i think getting them to even take soriano is gracious enough

[Dr Positivity]

Geez. Paying most of his deal AND getting a lower tier player back? They should make the Yanks pony up more $$$$ if theyre not willing to give up anybody. They got more money than any team in baseball

The thing is the Yankees were never taking any 2014 money cause they want to get under the lux tax. Deal will be set up so the Cubs are paying Soriano's entire salary in 2014, but the Yankees are paying the 7-8 mil left on Soriano's deal this season

Don't like the deal but maybe we saw something in the pitcher (looks like future reliever?) we got back *shrug*

[BIGGIEsmalls 23]

Alfonso Soriano traded to Yankees

The trade of Chicago Cubs outfielder Alfonso Soriano to the New York Yankees was finalized Friday after he officially waived his no-trade clause, sources told ESPN.

Of the estimated $24.5 million Soriano is owed through the end of next season, the Cubs are going to pick up about $17.7 million and the Yankees will cover the remaining $6.8 million, sources said. Soriano is scheduled to make $18 million next season, $5 million of which will be paid by the Yankees, the sources said.

Major League Baseball had to approve the dollar exchange for the trade to go through. The Cubs will get Class A pitcher Corey Black from the Yankees, sources told ESPN's Jim Bowden.

http://espn.go.com/new-york/mlb/story/_ ... icago-cubs

[hermes]

anybody know anything about mr. corey black?

[Badbeats]

Corey Black was 20 last year and it was his first year in the minors. His overall numbers at Rk, A-, and A ball all look good. Overall as a starter he had a 3 ERA and a 1 WHIP.

This year in High A he had a 4 ERA and 1.5 WHIP as a starter. Not nearly that good, but everything I have read says he might be a solid RP pitcher.

Overall I am not thrilled with the deal. Soriano has been fairly productive. True he makes far more than he will produce, but we are not getting a great prospect or 18 mil of relief next year. The only other reason to trade him is if we had a rookie who needed the at bats and was blocked. Sadly it seems far more likely we will use some 28-38 year old who has proven that they can't hit.

[milwaukee]

Soriano is running back to the guy who signed him: Bully Hendry