NEWSLETTER
Curtis Granderson broke his forearm, and will be out for about 10 weeks.
That’s all it took to set Twitter ablaze with Alfonso Soriano rumors, led by, among others, Buster Olney, who suggested that Soriano had previously told him that Soriano would accept a trade to the Yankees. He added that the Cubs have told everyone they’ll eat plenty enough of Soriano’s remaining two-years and $36 million to make him a palatable outfield candidate.
So, perfect fit, right? The Yankees were already looking for a right-handed power bat in the outfield, so maybe this is the impetus that pushes them over the edge?
Yeah, maybe.
But before we explode into a rumor tizzy, consider that Granderson will be back in early May. Is that a reason for them to acquire a two-year outfielder like Soriano? And, even if the Cubs eat a ton of his salary, Soriano will still cost the Yankees millions this and next year. Given their desire to get under the $189 million luxury tax limit in 2014, could they take on Soriano even if they wanted?
Further consider that, although his sources had told him differently a week ago, Gordon Wittenmyer now says Soriano, himself, has indicated that he would not accept a trade to the Yankees. We’ll see how that holds going forward, but Soriano – with full no-trade rights – holds all of the cards. If he’s not interested in going to the Yankees, then any speculation about whether the Yankees’ need is now at its zenith is merely an academic exercise.
And finally, consider that the Cubs may prefer to hold onto Soriano until the trade deadline, when his value may have increased (or his market), and when they know for certain that a miracle 2013 season isn’t happening.
Maybe we hear some David DeJesus rumors, too, but it seems like a righty bat is a better fit for the very left-handed outfield in New York.
We’ll see if this goes anywhere.
