MLB: Deal Is Final MVP Moves Now On East Coast
Jarrod Rogol
December 13, 2005
* Photo Credit: CNN
Article Credit: Washington Nationals
The trade that sent second baseman Alfonso Soriano from the Rangers to the Nationals in exchange for outfielders Brad Wilkerson and Terrmel Sledge, and Minor League pitcher Armando Galarraga became official on Tuesday morning.
The deal between the two clubs was first struck last Wednesday night at the Baseball Winter Meetings in Dallas, but the announcement couldn't be made until Tuesday because the Rangers were waiting for Wilkerson to take a physical. Wilkerson went to the Bahamas for a long weekend before returning to take the exam on Monday.
With the Nationals finishing last in the Major Leagues in offense in 2005, Soriano is the power hitter and speedster Washington has been craving. He is expected to hit in the middle of a lineup that includes Jose Guillen, Nick Johnson and Ryan Zimmerman.
In 2005, Soriano hit .268 with 36 home runs, 104 RBIs, and 30 stolen bases for Texas. During his seven-year career, Soriano has a .280 average with 162 home runs, 465 RBIs and 169 stolen bases. He is best known for playing with the Yankees, appearing in the 2001 and 2003 World Series with the Bronx Bombers.
Soriano made $7 million in 2005 and is arbitration eligible. He is slated to make around $10 million in 2006. When ownership is in place, the Nationals are expected to work on giving Soriano a long-term deal. He is scheduled to be a free agent at the end of the '06 season.
The big question is, which position will Soriano play next season? The Nationals want him to play left or center field, but Soriano said as recently as Tuesday night that he would like to remain at second base.
Soriano was told that there was a player named Jose Vidro playing second base for the Nationals. Asked how he felt about Vidro playing the position, Soriano said, "It's the problem of the team. They know they have Vidro and they [have me] at second base, too. That's not my problem. That's not Vidro's problem. That's the team's problem."
Official Site: WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Article Credit: Washington Nationals
The trade that sent second baseman Alfonso Soriano from the Rangers to the Nationals in exchange for outfielders Brad Wilkerson and Terrmel Sledge, and Minor League pitcher Armando Galarraga became official on Tuesday morning.
The deal between the two clubs was first struck last Wednesday night at the Baseball Winter Meetings in Dallas, but the announcement couldn't be made until Tuesday because the Rangers were waiting for Wilkerson to take a physical. Wilkerson went to the Bahamas for a long weekend before returning to take the exam on Monday.
With the Nationals finishing last in the Major Leagues in offense in 2005, Soriano is the power hitter and speedster Washington has been craving. He is expected to hit in the middle of a lineup that includes Jose Guillen, Nick Johnson and Ryan Zimmerman.
In 2005, Soriano hit .268 with 36 home runs, 104 RBIs, and 30 stolen bases for Texas. During his seven-year career, Soriano has a .280 average with 162 home runs, 465 RBIs and 169 stolen bases. He is best known for playing with the Yankees, appearing in the 2001 and 2003 World Series with the Bronx Bombers.
Soriano made $7 million in 2005 and is arbitration eligible. He is slated to make around $10 million in 2006. When ownership is in place, the Nationals are expected to work on giving Soriano a long-term deal. He is scheduled to be a free agent at the end of the '06 season.
The big question is, which position will Soriano play next season? The Nationals want him to play left or center field, but Soriano said as recently as Tuesday night that he would like to remain at second base.
Soriano was told that there was a player named Jose Vidro playing second base for the Nationals. Asked how he felt about Vidro playing the position, Soriano said, "It's the problem of the team. They know they have Vidro and they [have me] at second base, too. That's not my problem. That's not Vidro's problem. That's the team's problem."
Official Site: WASHINGTON NATIONALS