Cubs’ Alfonso Soriano trade with Yankees has ways to go
BY GORDON WITTENMYER gwittenmyer@suntimes.com July 23, 2013 11:36AM
Chicago Cubs' Alfonso Soriano, left, gets a hug from Anthony Rizzo prior to a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday, July 22, 2013, in Phoenix. The Cubs defeated the Diamondbacks 4-2. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Updated: July 23, 2013 10:13PM
PHOENIX — The New York Yankees’ interest in Cubs outfielder Alfonso Soriano – reported over the weekend by the Sun-Times – has intensified to the point the sides are discussing a possible deal that could get done this week.
If they can get over the significant issue of how much money the Cubs will eat of the $25 million left on Soriano’s contract. And if Soriano is willing to waive his no-trade rights.
The New York Post reported that a deal is close, but sources on both sides say nothing’s close.
As of Monday, Soriano still had not been asked about a possible trade anywhere.
And while it seems likely he would accept a trade back to his original team in a city he and his family like, that’s not certain.
When told of the Yankees’ interest on Sunday, Soriano told the Sun-Times he wants a chance to win a championship if he approves a trade and said he’s open to considering any team that’s “less than five games” out.
The Yankees are in fourth place in the AL East, seven games behind first-place Boston, and they’re 4 ½ games behind the second wild-card spot.
“We’ll see what happens,” Soriano said.
