Come on Down Soriano, You're the Next Cub to Be Traded

Submitted by Rob G. on Tue, 07/23/2013 - 07:40 am

The N.Y. Post is reporting that the Yankees and Cubs are close to deal that will send Alfonso Soriano to the Yankees for a mid-level prospect. The Cubs owe a little over $6M for the rest of 2013 on Soriano's deal and then $18 million next year and the Cubs will pay the bulk of it, and whatever the Yankees are contributing will be for this year as the Yanks are trying to avoid luxury tax hell next season. Soriano still has to approve the deal, but it seems unlikely he'll reject a chance to go to his first organization and play alongside Jeter and Mo' once again...presuming this is all true.

As for the prospect, no one knows yet but here's a top 20 list from the preseason. Manny Banuelos was a 5-star prospect heading into 2012 before Tommy John surgery, so maybe the Cubs can take a shot at the upside there. Dellin Betances was well up there as well before 2012 or maybe the Cubs see something in catcher Austin Romine, who was once a top 100 prospect. More likely, it's someone not on any of this lists with far less upside...we shall wait and see.

Tags
Cubs rumors
Alfonso Soriano

Comments

Submitted by jacos on Tue, 07/23/2013 - 07:25 am

Rob- Are your readying the post headline that you used for Neifi and I believe Kal Daniels departure?

Submitted by QuietMan on Tue, 07/23/2013 - 07:22 am

Gordon Wittenmyer‏@GDubCub Talks with Yanks on Sori ongoing. Not imminent but serious. Cubs' willingness to take most of $$ could swing deal for decent prospect.

Submitted by WISCGRAD on Tue, 07/23/2013 - 07:49 am

I just have to say that I am enjoying thee deals these last couple of years. They haven't made out on everyone of them of course, but seems like a lot of the guys they are getting are doing pretty well in the minors (or majors with guys like Rizzo) and that makes me feel more hopeful about this Garza trade and future trades.

Submitted by QuietMan on Tue, 07/23/2013 - 07:29 am

From the twitter box: Joel Sherman‏@Joelsherman1 #Cubs scout watched Chase Whitley over weekend, #Yankees deep in yng/inexpensive setup Kelly/Claiborne in MLB Burawa/Betances/Kahnle close

Submitted by Arizona Phil on Tue, 07/23/2013 - 07:23 am

I would think one or more of the Yankees International Signing Pool Values (SBV) will be part of the deal. 

#29: $487,200
#58: $329,000
#87: $222,100
#116: $139,600

The Cubs have been holding off announcing the Eloy Jimenez signing, presumably so that they can acquire additional SBVs in trades that can at least minimize their expected tax-penalty for exceeding their adjusted 2013-14 ISBP.

The Cubs originally-assigned International Signing Bonus Pool (ISBP) was $4,557,200, and they are permitted add up to 50% above their originally-assigned ISBP ($2,278,600) in trades, as long as they haven't exceeded their adjusted ISBP limit at the time of the trade. So far the Cubs have added $963,100 (net) in SBV in trades with Houston and Baltimore (they also traded their 4th SBV slot to the Dodgers in the Carlos Marmol deal), and so they can still add an additional $1,315,500 in SBV before they reach their max ISBP, as long as they don't reach or exceed their adjusted ISBP before they make the trade. Therefore, they could acquire all four of the Yankees SBV without exceeding their maximum-possible ISBP ($6,835,800).

The Yankees have not signed any of the top international free-agents, and a club''s six-highest signings of $50,000 or less are exempt from the International Signing Bonus Pool (ISBP) restrictions. But even if the Yankees were to trade all four of their SBV, they still would retain the $700K in ISBP that all teams get in addition to their four SBVs, so they could still sign a fairly significant IFA for as much as $735K (the $700K base plus a 5% overage) without incurring a penalty that would restrict them in signing players in the 2014-14 Internationalo Signing Period. 

BTW, the Cubs were not able to acquire SBVs from Texas in the Garza deal because the Rangers are big-time players in the international market for under 23-year olds, too, 

Submitted by Rob G. on Tue, 07/23/2013 - 07:28 am

@TonyAndracki23 Hoyer on MLB Network Radio said the Alfonso Soriano to #Yankees rumor is getting ahead of itself. Talks are not that advanced yet.

Bryant is headed to Boise, Hoyer says he hopes he can see some time in KC before end of the year

Submitted by Rob G. on Tue, 07/23/2013 - 07:39 am

@Jim_Duquette Hoyer felt that maybe towards the end of next year, or into 2015 that they would start to compete more in the division

That should piss off a sufficient amount of the fanbase.

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Submitted by Charlie on Tue, 07/23/2013 - 07:45 am

I could see this team wrangling for 2nd place in the division in 2014, if a few things break right. That'd be good enough to get fans back in. It'd certainly get me back on board paying closer attention and maybe even watching some games on MLB.TV or something. I would hope that by 2015 they have a legit shot at winning the division, though. By that point, they might start trading off some long-term assets in order to get some shorter term assets.

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Submitted by Old and Blue on Tue, 07/23/2013 - 07:02 am

I've been watching a helluva a lot more this year than in recent years. The last years under Hendry were excruciating. I refused to spend any time watching a bunch of journeymen play lousy baseball. Now, there's something to look at. Can Castro get his groove back? Can Rizzo grow as a hitter? What's with this Junior Puig thing? Will Shark shave that awful mullet? There's all these kids, and I'm interested in seeing if they become any good. If they do, that builds even more interest. I actually root for these guys, instead of wanting to throw something at the TV, or throw my iPad across the room. If just a couple of these kids turn into bonafides, we suddenly have a contender if they can cobble together a decent pitching staff. Cubbery dictates that it won't happen, but what if Lake turns into a star, and Rizzo develops into something special next year? Throw an improved Castro into the mix, and you have some interesting stuff going on. I'm not necessarily optimistic that will happen but it's at least something to hope for, as opposed to the Hendry madness at the end where I had to endure journeyman after journeyman traipsing through the roster. I really rather liked Soriano, at least as an on field personality, and he seems like a hard working guy always trying to get better in spite of an insane contract, but I'll be glad to see him go because he represents the biggest Hendry gamble, one that a lot of people didn't really complain a lot about at the time, and as such his exit really, for me, signals the final end of the Hendry regime.

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Submitted by John Beasley on Tue, 07/23/2013 - 07:50 am

This team should have most of the resources and personnel to be competitive next year. I expect to see some reasonable free-agent signings in the 1, 2, and maybe 3 year range for positions like RP, 2B, OF, perhaps C or SP. The primary problem is that the Cubs aren't ready to be one of the best teams in baseball yet, and 3 of their division rivals currently hold or are near that mantle. The Reds window may start to close soon, but it will probably still be open next year. The Cardinals are just flat-out loaded and would need a lot to go wrong to be a bad team. The Pirates also look loaded, but figuring out how to either pay for or replace Liriano and Burnett will be their challenge.

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Submitted by Rob G. on Tue, 07/23/2013 - 07:52 pm

Liriano's on a 2-year deal I believe

Pirates seem pretty adept at finding good buy lows (like Burnett, McDonald, Liriano) while waiting for their guys to be ready, don't see why that would be different next offseason. Also, they have plenty of money they have chosen not to spend while rebuilding, not that they'll pour $100M into a pitcher.

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Submitted by John Beasley on Tue, 07/23/2013 - 07:08 pm

Yeah, Liriano has a vesting option that's going to vest probably for $8M unless he gets hurt soon. So they're taken care of there - losing Burnett should be manageable, though that plus Locke's inevitable regression might leave them weakened but still talented. Depends on how Cole steps up I guess.

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Submitted by Rob G. on Tue, 07/23/2013 - 07:22 pm

it's a vesting option, but also an $8M club option

  • 13:$1M, 14:$8M club option
  • may earn additional $3.75M in 2013
    roster bonuses based on days not spent on disabled list with injury to
    humerus bonus of non-throwing right arm
  • 2014 option may become guaranteed at $5M, $6M or $8M based on days not spent on disabled list in 2013 with the right arm injury
  • if 2014 option vests at $5M or $6M, Liriano may earn performance bonuses up to $8M based on games started

Submitted by Rob G. on Tue, 07/23/2013 - 07:18 pm

Pedroia 7/100M extension...what will Cano get?

Utley a free agent too, doubtful Cubs enterain either idea.

Ellsbury will be available, but I'm sure Cubs aren't going over 5 years on any deal to anyone and would prefer less in most cases.

Granderson, Beltran, Cruz, Pence are the other big names that I don't see the Cubs getting involved with, although Beltran on a 1 or 2 year deal might make some sense depending on whom is leftover after the purge.

FA pitchers

Baker, Feldman again as well as Arroyo, Colon, Burnett, Garza, Hudson, Lincecum, Maholm, Josh Johnson, E. Santana...someone out of that might be a good buy low option. A few other dudes if their options aren't exercised including Halladay.

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/compensation/cots/league-info/potenti…

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Submitted by John Beasley on Tue, 07/23/2013 - 07:40 pm

I'd think Beltran and Choo are probably likely targets given their skillsets and the team's needs, depending on what those guys end up costing. Choo is more likely to want something longer than 3 years, while Beltran might be more inclined for a shorter deal with a team he sees as a contender.

Submitted by billybucks on Tue, 07/23/2013 - 07:20 pm

Ryan Braun – another player voted MVP by the same baseball writers who will gloriously trash him when it comes time for a HOF vote. By my count, that now makes 17 MVP trophies awarded to PED players – Bonds 7, ARod 3, Braun, Sosa, Caminiti, Tejeda, Giambi, Juan Gonzalez 2. Throw in Clemens Cy Young awards and that’s 20+ prestige trophies with PED names on them. Neat.

Submitted by John Beasley on Tue, 07/23/2013 - 07:02 pm

Jason Parks and Jeff Sullivan have both stated today that the Cubs might now be the #2 farm system in baseball. Still not enough arms for my taste, especially at the higher levels. But it's hard to make a case that any team in baseball has a better or deeper stable of hitting prospects.

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Submitted by The E-Man on Tue, 07/23/2013 - 07:24 pm

As I am getting older fast it seems, I sure as hell hope that TheoJed have put some very good people in coaching capacities at the levels our "studs" are passing through. Since the money thing can be equalized to a degree in the MLB with all of the "small market bullshit" (Cardinals get another draft pick...), the teams that can muster the most talented scouting, and then back that up with excellent coaching, are gonna be perennial contenders. From what I have read the last couple years, AZ PHIL is not impressed...But, at least they moved Junior out of the infield. Right PHIL?

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Submitted by Charlie on Tue, 07/23/2013 - 07:21 pm

I was wondering how far they would climb. Added Bryant, Olt, Edwards, international signees, and Alcantara at least raised his stock dramatically. On the other hand, Paniagua and Vizcaino haven't pitched at all. I keep wondering if/when the Cubs might swap out some young bats for some young arms, but I'm guessing that won't happen until these players progress enough for the Cubs to have a logjam at the MLB or at least AAA level.

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Submitted by Rob G. on Wed, 07/24/2013 - 07:38 pm

the article is a bit, but it related to 2014 and the issues still remain. Their (lack of) moves over the last offseason back it up.

Submitted by Cubster on Tue, 07/23/2013 - 07:42 pm

Grilli to the DL. Who is a prospect match for Gregg if he gets to wear an eyepatch over his goggles?

Submitted by Rob G. on Tue, 07/23/2013 - 07:10 pm

Nick Delmonico to Brewers for K-rod.

decent haul for Brewers, Sickels had him at #4 on his preseason Top 20 Orioles list.

Cubs will get a little less for Gregg most likely.

Submitted by crunch on Tue, 07/23/2013 - 07:12 pm

"@ChrisCotillo Name to watch in #Yankees-#Cubs deal is Joel De La Cruz. I'm told he is possibly involved if a Soriano deal happens" ...oh boy...a 24 year old repeating high A ball. the rumored return value in this trade is dropping by the hour.

Submitted by Rob G. on Tue, 07/23/2013 - 07:15 pm

heh...Theo seems less than thrilled with Yankees leaks

@CarrieMuskat  Theo says Yankees aren't 1st team to call re: Soriano. "They're the first team to show up in the paper in their home city right away."

Submitted by Rob G. on Tue, 07/23/2013 - 07:32 pm

Dodgers fix of C. Marmol

enters in 5th with one out

1b to Encarnacion, Lind foul out, BB DeRosa, GO R. Davis

comes back for the 6th

2B Arencibia, WP, RBI 1B Lawrie, 2-run HR Reyes, GO Cabrera , Foul Out Bautista, GO Encarnacion

Submitted by crunch on Tue, 07/23/2013 - 07:01 pm

you're going to have to be more specific... "Donovan Hand left Tuesday's start against the Padres after four innings with a right hand contusion."

Submitted by crunch on Tue, 07/23/2013 - 07:09 pm

k.bryant in the lineup tonight for Boise (@Eugene, OR) dylan "ball 4" maples pitching.

Submitted by QuietMan on Tue, 07/23/2013 - 07:55 pm

Adam Eaton used to be on my list of players I would have liked to get from the D-backs in a trade. But with that 70's stash he's now dead to me.

Submitted by crunch on Tue, 07/23/2013 - 07:32 pm

h.rondon keeps up his pace and finally moves his ERA for the month over 5.00...his lowest ERA in any month is 5.19 and he's currently sporting a 6.68 ERA with a 1.71 WHIP. that's rather impressive for a reliever...and by impressive, i mean, why he still with this club? 6 out of his last 10 he's given up runs...3 of them, multiple runs.

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Submitted by Old and Blue on Wed, 07/24/2013 - 07:14 am

Bring him up! He can have Rizzo, he of watching the batting practice pitch come down the middle of the plate on a 3-0 count with men on, mentor him. What's with the Cubs coaching staff? You have an umpire with an unruly strike zone, you tell them to go ahead and swing the f'ing bat.

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Submitted by John Beasley on Wed, 07/24/2013 - 07:23 am

Watching the Cubs is admittedly much less frustrating than a couple years ago now, but one of the most frustrating things is in fact watching Anthony Rizzo take a called third strike on a pitch in the zone or just off the plate.

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Submitted by John Beasley on Wed, 07/24/2013 - 07:56 am

Baez is batting .203 with a .242 OBP through 62 PAs in AA, but he's still managing to display a wRC+ of 109 thanks to that great power. BABIP is pretty low too, but hopefully it starts to sink in that his power will only partially compensate for his poor plate discipline. I agree with the promotion to AA, but hopefully they keep him parked there long enough to really try to figure out that part of his game.

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Submitted by The E-Man on Wed, 07/24/2013 - 07:08 am

Javy Baez is the last Wilken 1st round choice, right? It would appear he would not fit the TheoJed mold. Its going to be interesting to see if this guy will develop into a nice player with any plate discipline, and, would he be used as trade bait over the winter due to current shortcomings.

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Submitted by John Beasley on Wed, 07/24/2013 - 07:19 am

Forget starting the year at AA - how about spending possibly all of 2014 at AA. At his age and given the gaps in his game, I don't mind seeing his development slowed a touch. If he wants to go to Iowa next year, I would make him earn a graduation based upon BB% as well as defensive metrics or skills discussed between him and the organization.

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Submitted by Old and Blue on Wed, 07/24/2013 - 07:15 pm

They should have brought him up to start the year off. Can't have had a much worse first half than Castro. But, more seriously, in response to an earlier remark, I think Theo is bright enough not to care if it's a Wilken pick. If he plays well, he'll get a shot. Still sounds pretty raw, even for me.

Submitted by Rob G. on Wed, 07/24/2013 - 07:19 am

I just picked up Junior Lake for my fantasy team.

Sorry everybody...hope you enjoyed the ride.

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Submitted by WISCGRAD on Wed, 07/24/2013 - 07:42 am

FWIW sometimes it doesn't show up for me in Firefox and I just refresh the page and it comes back. It just seems like there is a lot to load and sometimes it stalls and doesn't grab it all. Also, on a related note, starting a couple of months ago the site takes forever (like 3 minutes-ish) to load on the browser on my Kindle Fire. Not a huge deal, and works fine on my other devices.

Submitted by QuietMan on Wed, 07/24/2013 - 07:16 pm

Drew Davison‏@drewdavison Double A Frisco right-hander Neil Ramirez has been placed on the disabled list with a biceps injury. #Rangers

Submitted by Rob G. on Wed, 07/24/2013 - 07:55 pm

Soriano not in lineup tonight...Sveum/Cubs say it was a scheduled off day

Soriano is 6/13 against Kennedy in his career though with 3 HR, 7 RBI and 3 BB.

Twitter rumors says Cubs/Yanks haggling over money at this point.

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Submitted by Carlito on Wed, 07/24/2013 - 07:53 pm

Totally agree. I believe Soriano is EXTREMELY touchy about this and is no guarantee to leave. Obviously based on last year not going to SF and just his answers are always family first etc. I believe the deal was ready when NY press leaked it and Theo had to quash it to avoid another Dempster style backlash while Soriano goes through his decision process at whatever pace he needs.

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Submitted by JoePepitone on Thu, 07/25/2013 - 07:13 am

Back in college, I ended up breaking a guy's tibia in a soccer game accident -- went all Joe Theismann-like. We were both going for the ball and I got to it first while he swung at it and his leg hit my shin instead. It was pretty horrific and I never had the stomach for playing soccer again.

Submitted by QuietMan on Wed, 07/24/2013 - 07:20 pm

Wayne Randazzo‏@WayneRandazzo Baker at 33 pitches through 2 innings. Sitting around 85. Topped out at 89. #Cubs Wayne Randazzo‏@WayneRandazzo Final line for Scott Baker: 3+ IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, 1 HR. 63 pitches, 39 strikes in third rehab start for @KCCougars #Cubs

Submitted by crunch on Wed, 07/24/2013 - 07:32 pm

dejesus with a double off the top of the CF 407 wall (with the actual HR line up insanely higher). hitting a HR to CF in that park is "bombs or nothing." it would have been a HR in many parks.

Submitted by Rob G. on Wed, 07/24/2013 - 07:37 pm

not watching, did Svuem really have Lake lay down a sac bunt in the 4th or was he going for the hit?

Submitted by Carlito on Wed, 07/24/2013 - 07:09 pm

Just when I start to think Soriano is a player . . . I am reminded his resurgence has been on a cushy team with no pressure, he passed up a chance to play for the eventual world champions last year to protect his knees or something, he still enjoys watching his home runs a bit too much, and apparently he and Dempster drink the same kook aid. Yes he has every right to 'take a few days' apparently (tho I would say his real rights are to be ready and say yes or veto) but he to me is much more interested in country club baseball and padding his stats then winning. And THAT is a problem that it will be fun to see eradicated whenever his lazy ass leaves this town. Again I repeat... Do these morons have agents who can counsel them to be ready in obvious trade situations to say yes or veto?

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Submitted by Carlito on Wed, 07/24/2013 - 07:20 pm

I'm guessing not. I know San Francisco is cold, but I think I do remember him not being into LA too. But obviously the Dodgers don't need and OF, Angels? Oakland? I just find it frustrating. I know it's living in the past to think of these guys as relentless competitors (like when I was growing up in the 60's and 70's) but I mean the guy HAS to know he's not part of the plan and that being in a pennant race is fun. Right? Maybe not . . .

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Submitted by The Joe on Wed, 07/24/2013 - 07:16 pm

I do agree that it's silly that's he's only now considering it, unless he he wants to decide which teams could provide him a championship (not the other way around, of course). From what I hear though, he's one of the hardest workers in baseball and far from lazy. Some people just have different priorities. Some are willing to win at any cost...cheating or going to another team. Others have a stronger sense of team and loyalty and may not want to win a championship as a mercenary. I absolutely agree though, he should have been ready. BUT, Theo could also have scheduled this meeting earlier so that the decision was already made.

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Submitted by Carlito on Wed, 07/24/2013 - 07:30 pm

No doubt. But I'm going to put it in the Cubby Occurance column that we have back to back years with a player who is so screwed up they can't handle an obvious part of the job. Yes you make $300 bazillion dollars so one little annoyance is that you may have to say yes or no kinda fast on trades. Dempster never vetoed Atlanta last year. It was hilarious, they just eventually took the offer off the table. I've never seen anything like it. Now last year we could have dealt Soriano but he rejects it. Fine. Now this year he talked several times in the press in recent months about playing for a contender and now it's time and he asks for a few days. The article I post twice above originally ended with him saying he would not say no to the Yankees. And then was extended to kind of say he might as Theo says a complete veto is a possibility. It's true cubby cancer growing wild. Can't wait until the last country clubber is gone. BTW joe I am not really arguing with you at all, just venting about something that pisses me off.

Submitted by crunch on Wed, 07/24/2013 - 07:33 pm

darwin macias with his 3rd error on the season. cubs still lead 6-2 after 5...but ninja is most likely done thanks to pitches thrown and the pen gets 4 innings.

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Submitted by crunch on Thu, 07/25/2013 - 07:22 am

and it's gregg going for 2 innings... bases loaded, 2 outs...because drama and why not...and he coaxes a groundout. phew. 2ip 3h 3bb 0k (he hasn't had a K in 4 games now) i think his trade value is reaching infield rake status at this point. ...wonder who's next to pitch...gregg's gotta be done. 40 pitches.

Submitted by crunch on Thu, 07/25/2013 - 07:05 am

lulz...tim naehring (ex-BOS player turned high profile yanks scout) is at the game tonight looking bored as hell. wonder if he's scouting anyone other than soriano.

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