Cubs still could trade Soriano, Marmol
Just because the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline has passed doesn't mean the Chicago Cubs are necessarily done dealing.
Team president Theo Epstein and general manager Jed Hoyer remain in touch other team executives now that the waiver period is well under way. Reports say that left fielder Alfonso Soriano and closer Carlos Marmol have cleared waivers and thus can be dealt.
That both players cleared is hardly a surprise, given their expensive contracts. But each player does possess value if some contender is willing to give the Cubs young talent in return.
And each is an intriguing case.
Soriano has enjoyed a solid two-way season, one in which he has hit well and looks reinvigorated in the field. The Cubs were off on Thursday, and going into this weekend's four-game series at Cincinnati, Soriano has a hitting line of .263/.320/.488. His 21 home runs and 71 RBI easily lead the Cubs. And even though his legs still bother him, Soriano has stolen five bases after swiping only two last season.
In the field, he is the only major league left fielder to have handled at least 150 total chances without an error this season. That's important because it just might make him attractive to a National League club, opening the door to more potential deals.
However, after Wednesday's game, Soriano told the Chicago media he wasn't thrilled about the idea of going to the Giants to replace suspended left fielder Melky Cabrera. Soriano cited the cool weather in San Francisco. No doubt the bigger left field there would hinder his power and also force him to cover more ground on defense.
Soriano also has 10-and-5 rights, which means he can veto any trade involving him. He said the Cubs have not come to him recently with any trade proposals.
"Now, there's only like six weeks left and I'll try to enjoy myself here with those young guys and win some games and see what happens in the offseason," he said.
As crunch time nears for contenders and they get desperate enough for a slugger, the Cubs might be able to get them to pick up more of Soriano's big contract. The eight-year, $136 million deal he signed in the fall of 2006 still has two more years to run.
The Cubs also wouldn't mind shedding the $9.8 million due next year on Marmol's back-loaded three-year contract, which is up at the end of 2013. He's got selling points, too. Marmol lost his job for a time this year and also spent time on the disabled list, but he has saved 13 straight since May 2, and those famous ninth-inning white-knuckle moments haven't been as frequent.
As instructed by manager Dale Sveum and pitching coach Chris Bosio, Marmol is relying on his fastball more and not simply throwing slider after slider. And when he does get the slider over, it can be unhittable.
Earlier in the week, Sveum said that until further notice, Marmol is the Cubs' closer in 2013. Sveum also cited the fact that the Cubs don't have a closer-in-waiting, but with the team looking as if it might not contend next year as well, that might not matter.
Aside from Soriano and Marmol, there are few other viable trade-bait candidates on the Cubs following the recent purge of veterans Ryan Dempster, Paul Maholm, Geovany Soto, Reed Johnson and Jeff Baker.
Outfielder David DeJesus might be a nice catch for somebody. DeJesus, who signed a two-year contract with the Cubs last winter, has a .363 on-base percentage.
Lefty reliever James Russell has been highly effective, but he's the kind of young and inexpensive player the Cubs hope to build around, not trade.
