Report: Soriano included in trade talk involving Dempster
The Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers have stepped up trade talk involving Cubs pitcher Ryan Dempster, and the discussion now includes Cubs outfielder Alfonso Soriano, ESPNChicago.com reported.
Cubs manager Dale Sveum said Monday he'd be surprised if Dempster were still a member of the Cubs after Tuesday's trading deadline.
"Yeah I'd be surprised I guess," Sveum said. "Yeah I would. "There's just too many teams, and he's too good a pitcher for people not to want him these last two months."
Both Dempster and Soriano have been in the league for at least 10 years, including five with the same team, which gives them veto power over any trade proposal.
Soriano told ESPNChicago.com on Sunday that he had not yet been approached by the Cubs about waiving his 10 and 5 rights.
He is the sixth year of an eight-year, $136 million contract.
The San Francisco Giants have also made inquiries about Soriano, according to the report.
Dempster is scheduled to start for the Cubs on Tuesday against the Pittsburgh Pirates if he's not traded by then.
Dempster is 5-5 with a 2.25 ERA, and Soriano is hitting .274 with 19 homers and 61 RBIs.
