well we lost another...dunno if its been posted ARLINGTON, Texas - All-Star second baseman Alfonso Soriano and the Texas Rangers (news) agreed Monday to a $7.5 million, one-year contract, a raise of $2.1 million Soriano came to the Rangers in last February's trade that sent Alex Rodriguez to the New York Yankees (news). Soriano hit .280 with 28 homers and 91 RBIs last year, missing the last 16 games of the season due to a strained left hamstring. Assistant general manager Jon Daniels said the team could speak with Soriano later about a longterm deal. Soriano is eligible for free agency after the 2006 season, Texas has two players remaining in arbitration: outfielder Gary Matthews Jr. and right-hander Carlos Almanzar. Players and teams are set to swap proposed salaries Tuesday, with hearings to be scheduled for next month. Matthews started 77 games, had a team-high eight outfield assists and hit .275 with 11 homers, the second-highest total in his career. Almanzar was 7-3 with a 3.72 ERA in 67 games.
That just reinforces my answer to Keep Backe and forget Soriano...He's good, but not worth it to trade a good pitcher...
