The A-Rod for Soriano Trade
It Might Have Been Better If Rodriguez Had Never Been With the Yanks
It is likely that Alex Rodriguez has played his last game with the New York Yankees, which means that it’s time to re-examine the trade that is rarely mentioned. On February 16, 2004, the Texas Rangers sent A-Rod to New York in exchange for Alfonso Soriano. The trade helped neither team win the World Series, but it did help the Yankees get opportunities to lose October games.
A-Rod Had Better Seasons Than Soriano
In his four seasons with the Yankees, A-Rod batted .303 and averaged 46 home runs a season, which was considerably better than Soriano’s .280 with 36 home runs, but Soriano’s cost cannot be compared to A-Rod’s. Alfonso signed an eight-year deal for $136 million with the Cubs in November 2006, which was the fifth costliest contract in major league history. It pales in comparison to the money Scott Boras is after for A-Rod’s services, which speaks volumes with respect to player’s salaries.
Soriano Was Almost a Greater Hero Than Bucky Dent
Alfonso Soriano played three full seasons with the Yankees and unlike A-Rod, got to play in the World Series – twice. The first time was in 2001 against the Diamondbacks. Although he hit only .240 with 7 strikeouts in 7 games, it looked for a few long, agonizing minutes as if he would be a greater hero in New York than even Bucky Dent.
Game 7 was tied at 1-1 in the top of the eighth inning. Soriano led off against Curt Schilling by hitting a home run, but it didn’t hold up and like game tying home runs by Tino Martinez and Scott Brosius in that Series, has been virtually forgotten. In 2003 against the Marlins, Soriano performed abominably. He hit .227 with 1 home run and 9 strikeouts as the highly favored Yankees lost in six games.
Soriano or A-Rod: It Didn't Matter
Now, what follows is based on the premise that for the Yankees, the only successful season is one that ends with them winning the World Championship. Since they never won it while Alex Rodriguez was on the team, having Alfonso Soriano instead would not have made the final results of the last four seasons any worse. It is recognized that A-Rod was the superior performer during the regular season, but if doing well during the season does not translate into a championship, it doesn’t matter. It might for other teams, but not for the Yankees.
Soriano Might Have Been the Yankees' Second Baseman in 2008
If the Rodriguez for Soriano trade had never been made, there is an excellent chance that Soriano would be the Yankees’ second baseman in 2008, with Robinson Cano at third base, and A-Rod’s friend Derek at shortstop. While A-Rod has provided much publicity for the Yankees and generated much revenue, he and his teammates did not win the World Series. The final verdict is that the Yankees would have been better off never trading Soriano for Alex. Now, if Alex had a different agent….
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