The report the Cubs were close on a deal that would send Alfonso Soriano to the Yankees that surfaced early Tuesday morning was premature according to Jed Hoyer. Hoyer discussed the Soriano trade rumor during an interview on MLB Network Radio (XM Radio) with Mike Ferrin and Jim Duquette on Power Alley.
Hoyer said when he woke up on Tuesday morning and saw the reports he thought it was interesting. Hoyer acknowledged the Cubs are talking to teams about Alfonso Soriano but nothing is close.
Jed Hoyer explained that last year at the deadline the Cubs went to Soriano when teams contacted them with interest. This year will be different.
Jed Hoyer is catching up with the team in Arizona and is going to sit down with Alfonso Soriano to go over the list of teams that have inquired about him and let him decide what options would work for him. Hoyer indicated the team has no plans to push Soriano in one way or the other.
Updated: 2:34pm CDT – According to Peter Gammons, the Yankees deal for Soriano “likely happens, but there is a way to go.” Theo Epstein is also flying to Phoenix to discuss options with Alfonso Soriano. Joel Sherman reported that the Yankees have had one of their most-trusted scouts, Tim Naehring, watching Soriano for at least the last four days.
A report from Joel Sherman indicated the Cubs have been scouting the Yankees system and have shown interest in pitchers such as Shawn Kelley, Preston Claiborne, Dellin Betances, Danny Burawa and Tommy Kahnle. The Cubs scouted RHP Chase Whitley over the weekend.
Alfonso Soriano has full no trade rights and is owed nearly $25 million over the remainder of his contract that expires after next season. Reports have suggested the Cubs are willing to pay a majority of what is owed to him depending on the quality of player or players they receive.
From the interview:
- Hoyer on Alfonso Soriano to NYY rumor: “Very premature; we’ve had conversations with multiple teams about him, but nothing close.”
- Hoyer on Soriano NTC: “Last year we took things to him on individual basis, this year we’ll sit down with him about his thoughts”