Report: Alfonso Soriano trade 'close' between Yankees, Cubs

The Yankees are close to acquiring Alfonso Soriano from the Cubs. (Zuma Press/Icon SMI)

The New York Yankees are close to acquiring outfielder Alfonso Soriano from the Chicago Cubs, manager Dale Sveum told reporters Thursday night. Sveum said that Soriano had been pulled from the Cubs' lineup because a deal was near.

ESPN.com's Buster Olney reported that both teams are now waiting for Soriano to waive his no-trade clause. According to Olney, the Cubs would pay the "bulk" of the $25 million owed to Soriano through the end of next season, which would limit the toll it would take on the Yankees' luxury tax. Because the Cubs have had their hands tied by Soriano's no-trade clause, they are eager for any salary relief.

For the Yankees, Soriano provides another bat in a lineup that is full of uncertainty with injuries to Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter.

Soriano made his major league debut with the Yankees in 1999, playing three full seasons as a second baseman with the club from 2001-03. The Yankees then traded Soriano to the Texas Rangers in the deal involving Rodriguez. He made the transition to the outfield during a year with the Nationals in 2006, but signed with the Cubs in 2007 and has played in Chicago since, almost entirely as a left fielder.