Alfonso Soriano could be headed for a return to the Bronx, according to ESPN.com. The Chicago Cubs, who just dealt Matt Garza to the Texas Rangers for prospects, are looking to do the same with Soriano, who is hitting well on a team sinking further out of contention.
ESPN reports Tim Naehring, a top assistant to Yanks general manager Brian Cashman was in Colorado with his eye on the powerful Cubs outfielder, and sources close to the Yankees confirmed the Bronx Bombers are in the market for a power, right-handed bat.
While the 37-year-old Soriano is a far cry these days from his Pinstripes prime, he can still hit the ball a mile. This season he is batting .256 with 17 home runs and 51 RBI. More importantly, he is batting .280 against left-handed pitching, with six homers and 13 RBI in 118 at bats.
Soriano was asked about a potential trade Monday night, and he did not respond very well to the question saying, "I don't even want to think about [a trade]. This is July 22, and I want to think like it is August. I don't want to hear my name in trade deadline [discussions]."
As a 10-year veteran in MLB with five years on the same team, Soriano has the power to veto any trade; he exercised that power last season when the Cubs attempted to send him to the San Francisco Giants.
The Yankees desperately need his power. Monday night they were shut out by Yu Darvish and the Texas Rangers, and are third from the bottom of the American League in runs per game (3.91). Their 88 home runs are also third-worst (88).
Against lefties in 2013, the Yankees are hitting a putrid .236 with 20 home runs and 123 RBI. Against right-handers, the Yanks are batting .246 with 68 home runs and a much more palatable 238 RBI.
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