Alfonso Soriano to Yankees '99% Complete'

While Alfonso Soriano is no longer the dynamic 40-40 threat that he was during his prime, the Chicago Cubs' 37-year-old outfielder can still be an asset in the season's second half. A recent hot streak has given potential suitors an idea of what he can still bring to the table.

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9:04 PM ET

UPDATE: Thursday, July 25, by Ian Hanford

Chicago Tribune reporter Paul Sullivan has the latest:

7:55 PM ET

UPDATE: Thursday, July 25, by Ian Hanford

ESPN's Buster Olney has the latest on a potential Soriano-to-Yankees trade:

7:35 PM ET

UPDATE: Thursday, July 25, by Ian Hanford

Chicago Sun-Times reporter Gordon Wittenmyer states that Soriano may be on the move very soon:

3:03 PM ET

UPDATE: Tuesday, July 23, at 3:05 p.m. ET by Kyle Vassalo

ESPN's Wallace Matthews provides an update on the developing Alfonso Soriano to Yankees situation:

A source involved in the talks confirmed to ESPNNewYork.com that Yankees GM Brian Cashman and Cubs GM Jed Hoyer are discussing a possible trade that would bring Soriano back to the Yankees, but, the source said, "Nothing is imminent. They jumped the gun a little bit."

The source was referring to a story in a New York paper that said the deal was close to being finalized. "Cashman is talking to the Cubs about Soriano, but he's talking to a lot of other teams, too," the source said. "It's all very premature."

7:35 AM ET

UPDATE: Tuesday, July 23, by Brandon Galvin

The New York Post's George A. King III has the latest on Alfonso Soriano and the New York Yankees:

In dire need of a bat with thump and an indication the Yankees may believe that Alex Rodriguez isn’t going to play this season, the toothless Bombers are close to acquiring Alfonso Soriano from the Cubs, The Post has learned.

According to a person familiar with the talks, the Cubs will pay the bulk of what is left on Soriano’s contract. He makes $18 million this year and the same for next season.

CBS Sports' Jon Heyman followed up the report:

7:32 AM ET

The 37-year-old streaky slugger is hitting .254 with eight home runs and two stolen bases in July. His low on-base percentage is a concern (.286 on the season), but his combination of power and speed gives him enough upside.

With the Cubs having long since faded out of the playoff race in the NL Central, the focus will continue to shift toward rebuilding the franchise.

Buster Olney of ESPN reported late last month that the Cubs were shopping a wide range of assets, including Soriano. He described the team's philosophy as "open for business."

But the Chicago Cubs have no such quandary. This is a rebuilding year, as the front office understood long before the first pitch was thrown in 2013, and with just 41 days remaining before the July 31 trade deadline, rival evaluators say the Cubs are open for business -- and they have a veritable buffet of talent to offer for contenders.

The rumor didn't come as a surprise. The Cubs understand it's going to take some time to get back on track, and moving aging assets like Soriano for players who could help in the future is the only move to make.

The outfielder is open to a deal should the right offer come around for the Cubs. When asked if he would tell President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein he wasn't going to accept a move, Soriano said that wasn't in the plans, reports Patrick Mooney of CSN Chicago.

I’d never say that to him, because I don’t want to be on this team if they don’t want me here. It’s kind of hard and selfish to think (that way). If they want me to stay here, I’m going to stay here. But if they don’t want me to, the door is open.

The last remaining issue is Soriano's contract. Bruce Levine of ESPN Chicago states there's $26 million left on his current deal, which would obviously be a major hurdle for other teams.

But sources tell him the Cubs have a solution: "According to a major league source, the Cubs would assume most of the remaining contract if some club comes calling for Soriano’s services this month."

Taking on a chunk of the contract would be a major step toward offloading Soriano. The risk assumed by a hopeful contender becomes far less if it isn't on the hook for all or a majority of the remaining portion of the deal.

So now it just comes to hoping the right offer comes along. If Soriano can stay hot in the coming weeks, the Cubs' job will become a lot easier.

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