It sure seems that way according to news reports that are saying he's all but packed up and on a plane to the Big Apple. The Cubs brass gives him some impressive parting comments on the way out. He seemed to be under-appreciated by Cubs fans somewhat, but his peers and management seemed to be satisfied with what they were getting out of Fonzie. The Yankees lineup really needs his production, almost as much as the Giants, and Soriano may be in need of a change of scenery. It should be good for him to go back home in a professional sense.
from Yahoo Sports:
Team Report - CHICAGO CUBS - Yahoo! Sports:
QUOTE TO NOTE: "The only person I could compare him to is Robin Yount. His work ethic, he cares to win, prepares every day, prepares to make him a better player. Robin is the only other guy that I have been around that did the same thing every single day." -- Manager Dale Sveum, on LF Alfonso Soriano, who was on the verge of being traded to the Yankees.
The Cubs were said to be getting a mid-level prospect, most likely a pitcher, and perhaps some salary relief from Soriano's contract, which is in season No. 7 of the eight-year, $136 million deal he signed in November 2006.
Soriano is batting .254 with a team-leading 17 homers and 51 RBIs, which were second to Anthony Rizzo on the team. His 181 homers as a Cub rank 11th on the team's all-time list. Soriano also won the admiration of the current management team for his work ethic and professionalism. Former GM Jim Hendry and the previous ownership signed Soriano. Epstein took over baseball operations in the fall of 2011.
"He's 100 percent completely different than I thought," Sveum said of Soriano. "There hasn't been a day of disappointment in his attitude, his work ethic, what he brings to younger players, and his professionalism has been off the charts.
"There's no doubt, he's one of the top five ultimate professionals I've been around in this game."'via Blog this'
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