The mating dance has begun.
Washington outfielder Alfonso Soriano says he loves Nationals fans and doesn’t want to leave. Nats president Stan Kasten says he loves Soriano. After all, what’s not to love about the team’s only All-Star who’s banging out big hits once more?
Everyone seems headed to the altar. Never mind that pesky Trader Jim Bowden is talking with a half dozen or so suitors as the July 31 trade deadline looms. Soriano wants to stay, Kasten loves him. It’s a done deal, right?
Uh, the 800-pound elephant in the room finally surfaced recently when Soriano’s agent made noise about the team not negotiating for a long-term deal. Nonsense, claimed the Nats.
Listen, Soriano may love the Nats, and Nats fans certainly love Soriano, but this is a business deal plain and simple. Love of money and the love of winning will fuel the next six days.
This is the deal that can greatly improve the team in coming years. Trader Jim seems to have enough eager contenders on the hook that a late bidding match should net a quality starting pitcher and a fistful of prospects. Soriano is helping the cause with another hot streak to further increase his value.
The sum of Soriano’s worth could outweigh one great player, which explains why the Nats are planning to peddle him. The contract is insignificant because new owner Ted Lerner isn’t penny pinching. If Soriano is worth keeping at $15 million annually, Lerner will pay it.
The lure of having several good players and a new pitcher to anchor the staff will prove irresistible, though. That’s why Soriano will be traded.
The problem is no one wants to look like the bad guy. Soriano may truly like it here despite the second baseman’s exile to left field. What’s not to like? This is the nation’s capital, where baseball’s following is growing after 104,000 attended the Cubs series. The new owners will interject life in the second-year team and a new stadium that has to be more hitter friendly is coming.
Soriano has already played in New York and Texas so he knows something about packing. He’s looking for the breakout contract at age 30 that is likely the biggest money of his career. If heading to Los Angeles, New York or Detroit later provides $75 million over five years, then it was nice knowing you. Soriano will be happy counting his blessings (uh, money), especially when jumping to a playoff contender determined to sign him long-term to justify the trade.
Nats management fears the backlash of trading the team’s best player. Third baseman Ryan Zimmerman may be the franchise cornerstone, but Soriano is the current poster boy. If the team collapses after the trade of Soriano and perhaps others, fans will use the movesas evidence of the front office’s incompetence.
Trading Soriano is a gamble. He is a proven franchise player. Who knows what those obtained will prove to become. They could be anchors of good teams or dead weights that sink seasons. Still, the Nats are 43-56 and in last place of the NL East so what’s the risk of trading Soriano? Falling more than 16 1/2 games back?
If the Nats decide they can’t get enough value for Soriano and keep him, then fans will be content. Nothing like watching someone en route to 50 homers to forget your troubles. Soriano can become one of Washingtonians’ favorite players over the next few years like Gilbert Arenas and Clinton Portis.
If Soriano hits the transaction wire, it will be as sad as LaVar Arrington’s recent exit. Fans may hope Soriano’s departure will bring long-term gain, but they won’t be happy in coming months. No matter — Kasten has to do what he deems best for the franchise and his track record provides reason for fans to trust it’s the right move.
It will just feel like a loss … for now.
Rick Snider has covered local sports for 28 years. Contact him at [email protected].
