Cubs Rumors: Chicago Willing to Eat Much of Alfonso Soriano’s Contract

The Chicago Cubs showed they are willing to eat significant salary in order to facilitate a deal during the recent Carlos Zambrano–Miami Marlins trade.  Now, Nick Carfado of the Boston Globe is reporting that the Cubs are willing to do the same for veteran outfielder Alfonso Soriano.  Carfado writes that Chicago “should have a buyer” for Soriano because they are willing to pick up most of the $54 million he is owed over the next three years.

Following the Cubs-Padres trade that sent 22-year-old first baseman Anthony Rizzo to Chicago, general manager Jed Hoyer told reporters that the Cubs are excited about having a roster full of young and talented players in 2012.  Veterans such as Carlos Zambrano, Aramis Ramirez and Carlos Pena are all gone, but one high-priced 30-something remains, Alfonso Soriano.

If the Cubs truly want to begin their rebuilding process as soon as possible, they would do well to try to find a suitor for Soriano and free up a roster spot for a younger player with more potential.  The problem is Soriano’s salary could make this harder said than done.

Back in 2006, Soriano signed an eight-year pact with the Cubs that will see him make $18 million per season for the next three years.  At his current level of production at the plate on in the field, no team would be willing to pay this amount for Soriano.

But, in order to encourage a team in need of a designated hitter to take Soriano off their hands, Carfado reports the Cubs are willing to eat most of the remaining $54 million owed to Soriano.

Still, teams won’t exactly be lining up to acquire Soriano’s services.  Carfado notes that the Orioles and Cubs have spoken, and the Birds are one of the few teams still known to be searching for a designated hitter.

One way or another, Carfado believes that, if the Cubs are truly willing to take on most of Soriano’s remaining salary, the team should be able to find a taker for the 36-year-old.

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