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Is there anywhere for Alfonso Soriano to land?
With Alfonso Soriano recently being designated for assignment by the New York Yankees, speculation begins on who, if anyone, might be willing to take a flyer on him. The options are limited, and signs point to a possible end for Soriano’s career. But until that moment comes, let’s take a look at possibilities, not matter how far-fetched.
Seattle Mariners
The Mariners sit in the middle of the AL West race, and the division leading Oakland A’s just went and snatched up two of our best in Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel. The Mariners are struggling mightily against lefties, sitting near the bottom of the league in slugging and OPS.
Even with all of his struggles this year, even against southpaws, Soriano might be considered an upgrade. Even with the recently activated Corey Hart, who the Mariners hope can provide an offensive spark, expectations have to be measured as he has missed a season and a half with injury.
The change of scenery last season led Soriano to help lead the Yankees push towards the playoffs, as he hit 17 home runs in 58 games after the trade. Things have fallen off drastically, as he was hitting only .221 this season, and struggling in the field as Carlos Beltran‘s injury forced him into duty more often, after the Yankees intended him as a full-time righty DH.
Maybe it’s possible the change could do the same and spark Soriano to another second half run, but that’s a gamble few teams might be willing to take.
Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto is in a serious state of flux right now, and injuries are mostly to blame. After a sensational start to the season with a 21-9 May, they have now watched the Baltimore Orioles take over first. With the injury to slugger Edwin Encarnacion, the Jays may be more inclined to consider.
Encarnacion’s injury, a Grade 2 quad strain, has an average recovery time of three to six weeks. That will however include the All-Star break. Brett Lawrie is also still out with a broken finger, not likely to return until early August. Encarnacion will be in that same time frame. A month can be a long time to lose sight of a division leader if their play continues to struggle.
The curious question would be what to do with Soriano when everyone is healthy. He will likely need full-time at-bats if he’s to get his swing back, which is part of the reason the Yankees parted ways. Once Lawrie, Encarnacion, and Adam Lind (foot) are healthy, that will be a tall order for the Jays.
But with the current offensive struggles and loss of good hitters to injury, this is a move the Blue Jays front office will have to at least entertain.
Chicago Cubs
This is of course the least likely of all, as the move last season was a show that the Cubs were moving forward. The Cubs have a relatively full outfield, but there is the chance Nate Schierholtz could be moved by the deadline. This still puts Soriano in the uncomfortable position of playing the field.
My biggest thought for mentioning the Cubs is, well, we’re pretty much paying him anyway.
That’s really not enough of a reason, and it’s not going to happen. If the Cubs were looking to fill a roster spot and needed a body it might be a thought. Soriano was a great mentor, and could be somewhat of a player/coach if he returned.
But even with the Cubs footing most of the bill wherever he goes, it’s near unthinkable he would end up back in Chicago.
Strolling into the Sunset
It’s been a 16 year career for Soriano, and he would have nothing to hang his head about if he walked away now. Some Cubs fans were always bothered by his contract, but that was a product of baseball. Not his fault. He produced for the Cubs while here, played an adequate left field, played through injury and never complained. He was a mentor to young players like Starlin Castro, and was considered a great teammate.
His career numbers:
.270/.319/.500, .819 OPS, 412 HR, 1159 RBI
He was a seven-time All-Star and four-time Silver Slugger award winner.
I think part of baseball is knowing the right time to say goodbye to the game, and least in the capacity of playing. I think many Yankees and Cubs fans, possibly a few Rangers fans would like to remember Sori for the sweet swing, and hot streaks he would get on.
If that time has come, I tip my cap to him. It’ s was a good career.