Alfonso Soriano Made More Available

ESPN.com is reporting that the Chicago Cubs would be willing to take on most of Alfonso Soriano’s remaining contract if they were to receive an appealing offer.

Soriano signed his hefty $136 million deal with the Cubs before the 2006 season.  Currently the 35 year old has about $60 million remaining on his contract which takes him through the 2014 season.

Chicago signed Soriano to the megadeal after what would turn out to be the best season of his career.  While a member of the Nationals in 2006, Soriano posted a line of .277/.351/.560 with 46 home runs and 95 RBI’s.  He also became the only member of the 40-40-40 club, hitting over 40 home runs and doubles while stealing more than 40 bases.

Since signing with the Cubs, Soriano’s numbers have steadily declined.  What’s worse is the 35 year old doesn’t have a true position.  He came up as an infielder, but after several 20 plus error seasons, Soriano gradually moved to the outfield.  Things haven’t gotten any better for him out there however and many believe that if he were to be moved, his best bet would be to become a designated hitter for an American League team.

Soriano actually started the year off strong for the Cubs, posting an .891 OPS in April.  He was able to tread water in May and June, but has been awful this month.  Soriano is 9 for 55 in 17 July games, totaling a line of .164/.193/.200.

Still let’s run with the notion that if Soriano were to be traded he would likely land with an AL club and see some time as a DH.  As it stands now, Soriano’s season OPS of .736 is above the marks Jorge Posada and Adam Dunn have posted.  Soriano’s numbers are also right in line with the current designated hitters for the Ray and Angels, Bobby Abreu (.740) and Johnny Damon (.738).  All four of the above mentioned have been the primary DH’s for contending clubs this season.

So while I certainly wouldn’t want him on my team, it’s not too crazy to fathom Soriano interesting an American League club come deadline time if the price were right.

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