On The Block:  Alfonso Soriano

Why He’s On The Block:  Despite being the Nationals’ best player, Soriano is likely to walk in the off-season, despite his vague statements about liking the city and the team.  He has also made statements about not being comfortable in left field and not wanting to make a decision until the offseason.  Combine with all of that the statements that Soriano does not like General Manager Jim Bowden, probably for making the trade for him in the first place and it becomes imperitive that the Nationals move him at the trade deadline, because it’s likely that no matter how much money they offer him, he’s not going to stay. 

Negotiable:  No.  Bowden wants pitching in return and he’ll take the best offer he can get.  Plus, as the pennant races tighten up and more players go down with injury, teams in contention will be more likely to release the hold on some of their better prospects, making the deal sweeter.

What He Offers:  Here’s what Soriano’s got to offer.

·          Plus:  Plays multiple positions.

·          Plus:  One of the fastest runners in baseball.

·          Plus:  Has loads of power in his bat.

·          Minus:  High strikeout totals.

·          Minus:  Still in his walk year as far as his contract goes.

He Stay Or Will He Go:  I can almost guarantee you that Soriano will not be in Washington in August.  With that in mind, here’s where he could go.

·          Los Angeles Dodgers– 40%.   The Dodgers have been asking around about outfielders to help them add some more offense into the outfield.  The Dodgers, with one of the most stacked farm systems in baseball, could make an offer to the Nationals of Dioneer Navarro, probably pitching prospect Edwin Jackson and maybe Chuck Tiffany or a pair of lesser prospects to complete the deal.  The Dodgers have the resources to make the offer and it’s likely that they’ll do so.

·          Los Angeles Angels – 30%.  The Angels need more offense and could make a run at Soriano if they are only a few games out of the division come July 31^st.  They have been shopping pitcher Ervin Santana hard for help, so a package of Santana, shortstop of Brandon Wood, and a lesser prospect would be good enough to pull the trigger.

·          New York Yankees – 20%.  The natural fit, so it would seem.  Soriano has longed for a return to a New York, so much so that he has maintained his residence in New Jersey for just that opportunity.  However, the Nats won’t budge on their asking price of pitching prospect Philip Hughes.  While Soriano would restore much of that punch to the Yankee lineup by taking time from Bernie Williams and add some speed to the bases, Soriano is in the final months of his contract.  If anything, the Yankees would be more likely to sign him in the off-season, with the contracts to Sheffield, Mussina, and possibly Jaret Wright coming off the books.

·          St. Louis Cardinals – 10%.  Again, the Cardinals would likely shift Soriano to centerfield, another position change, which could further enhance his value next season.  But again, the lack of pitching prospects torpedo’s their chances.  Plus, the Cardinals could always get him in the off-season. 

End Result – Traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers at the Trade Deadline.