[Lefty Noob]

Both Alfonso Soriano and Jose Vidro may be on their way out of Washington and into the Big Apple. Rumors have several teams, including the Yankees, interested in Soriano, while the Mets are the squad most often tied to talks for 2B Vidro. Are the Nationals ready to part ways with both of these guys?

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

Both Alfonso Soriano and Jose Vidro may be on their way out of Washington and into the Big Apple. Rumors have several teams, including the Yankees, interested in Soriano, while the Mets are the squad most often tied to talks for 2B Vidro. Are the Nationals ready to part ways with both of these guys?

Perhaps the Nationals still see themselves as a minor league franchise used for filling major league rosters...

[EmpireWF]

I don't think there's much of a question that Soriano will be traded...whether it be this month or once July 31st hits. Everyone and their mother knows he won't be signing back with Washington...he said so. They might as well trade for the top Yankee prospects (Hughes, Duncan) and perhaps a major league player to boot.

Vidro has played amazingly well this year. His power is a bit down but it can be expected. His eye at the plate is outstanding, batting over .330. He's old and has bad legs though so I don't know If I'd want all his money though.

[MJHMarc]

Don't forget that Alfonso Soriano's salary probably turned down a lot of teams. I think that Jose Vidro is a better value for the buck. He isn't a huge power hitter but plays like an average second-baseman who is better than Kazuo Matsui. The Mets should definitely look into Vidro because other than Matsui and Hernandez, what options do they have?

[simple simon]

Soriano still seems to be up for grabs

and so far he seems to be a heck of a power hitter

what position will he be willing to play with his new team ?

will he pitch another fit if he isnt put in the diamond ?

[EmpireWF]

If Soriano puts up a fuss about being in LF with his eventual new team (after being traded...he will be), I'd be very surprised. He showed everyone that he didn't let the position change affect his offense, which was a huge question mark heading into the season. He's going to get around $15 mil per year anyway, so why make a scene?

I wouldn't be surprised to see him end up on a team in the AL West.

[Lefty Noob]

Really? Texas wouldn't want him back, and its not in Oakland's nature to spend that much on a player. Anaheim, maybe? I can't see the Mariners bothering. Yanks don't seem interested, so I wonder how much of a market there really is for Soriano right now.

[EmpireWF]

I was thinking about Anaheim, they never did get that big bat they wanted during the off-season. Soriano fits the bill and I'm sure they wouldn't mind him in either LF or 2B.

[ThePundit]

The Yankees would take him in a heartbeat but don't want to give up any young players.

[Lefty Noob]

Looks like Soriano may be headed for Seattle, according to the Washington Post: "The Washington Nationals, fresh with the possibility that the Seattle Mariners will become a serious contender to acquire left fielder Alfonso Soriano, have started scouting the Mariners' system for prospects... The Detroit Tigers, Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees are among the other possible suitors for Soriano."

[Lefty Noob]

Another guy the Nationals wanted to deal is off the market, according to the Washington Post, which is reporting that "right fielder Jose Guillen was placed on the disabled list Thursday with an elbow injury that could cost him the rest of the season, and General Manager Jim Bowden spent part of Thursday calling interested teams, telling them Guillen can't be traded now..."

[ThePundit]

The Mariners? That's weird. I would think they would only trade for Soriano if they could sign him as a condition to the deal. I'll say this about the Mariners: They have a very good bullpen. Rafael Soriano could probably close for a lot of teams.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Alfonso Soriano says he wants to stay with the Washington Nationals, but he doubts he'll reach an agreement on a new contract before the July 31 trade deadline. "I don't think so. I think that my agent and the club, they have to talk a lot," Soriano said after homering in Washington's 7-1 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Sunday. "If we have something working, we need a little bit more time."

The five-time All-Star said he spoke with incoming team president Stan Kasten on Thursday, but they didn't discuss contract details. Soriano added that he doesn't think his agent, Diego Bentz, has discussed numbers with the Nationals, either.

Reached by telephone, Bentz wouldn't say whether contract proposals have been extended by him or the club.
"That doesn't really mean anything. The bigger question is: 'Does he like it there or not? Does he feel comfortable there?' Obviously. You can tell by the way he's playing," Bentz said.
Soriano joined Washington last offseason in a trade from Texas, and the Nationals shifted him from second base to left field. He's batting .288 with 31 homers, 62 RBIs and 25 steals.
Soriano is slated to become a free agent at season's end; the Nationals figure to be able to get top prospects in return if they deal him.
During Sunday's game, Kasten said he's had "numerous conversations" with Soriano and his agent.
"I have been told unequivocally, from both of them, they would like to remain here. No doubt about that," Kasten said.
"We love Alfonso, we love what he does -- lots of people do. Let's face it: He's a potential MVP candidate. It goes without saying that he's a superior player," Kasten added. "But, you know, our No. 1 mission is getting to be the best team we can as soon as possible." One potential stumbling block if the sides try to agree on a new contract: Soriano said he wants a no-trade clause, something Kasten pointed out Sunday he refused to include in contracts he negotiated in recent years while an executive with the Atlanta Braves, the NBA's Hawks and the NHL's Thrashers

The latest on the Soriano Trade Rumor.