The Mets' $oriano in 2007?
BY DAVID LENNON
Newsday Staff Correspondent
August 13, 2006
WASHINGTON - The Mets repeatedly tried to trade for Alfonso Soriano during his final two years in Texas, but they refused to give up Jose Reyes, Scott Kazmir or Lastings Milledge.
Once this season is over, however, all Soriano will cost the Mets is money, and that makes a return to New York a strong possibility.
The Mets will be looking for a second baseman and leftfielder this offseason, and Soriano, out of necessity, has learned to handle both positions adequately. Asked yesterday which position he would prefer, Soriano, already thinking about the negotiating process, wisely left his options open.
"If somebody wants me to play second base next year, I can go back there," Soriano said. "But now I can play the outfield, too. It depends on what the team wants me to do."
Soriano reluctantly switched from second base to the outfield when the Rangers traded him to Washington, but now he feels comfortable enough to stay there. While he's no Gold Glover, Soriano makes up for any defensive shortcomings with his lethal bat. After last night's 6-4 loss to the Mets, Soriano is hitting .289 with 37 home runs, 75 RBIs and 28 stolen bases.
Manager Willie Randolph was in charge of tutoring Soriano when he first broke in with the Yankees, and he said yesterday that his former student was a capable second baseman. Said Randolph, "I don't think he ever hurt a team defensively."
