Latest Alfonso Soriano Trade Rumors

I’ve updated the graphic according to the latest trade rumors surrounding Alfonso Soriano.

The Indians have long been searching for a right-handed power bat and  appear they won’t stand much of a chance in the playoff race without one.

Tampa Bay is another likely suitor, but will need plenty of help financially from the Cubs, who by all accounts are willing to eat a generous amount of the enormous sum of money remaining on Soriano’s contract. The Rays also DFA 38-year-old Hideki Matsui (.147, 2 HR, 7 RBI) on Wednesday.

Baltimore, in need of more pop in its lineup, traded for Jim Thome three weeks ago. But the oft-injured 41-year-old slugger (he missed a month with back issues in Philadelphia) has hit but 2 HR with 5 RBI since joining the O’s.

The Giants are a dark horse, but could use more run production in its outfield, especially after the Dodgers landed Hanley Ramirez earlier this week.

I’m not ruling Los Angeles out until Ryan Dempster is traded elsewhere or it’s announced he’s sticking with the Cubs through 2012. The Dodgers still need offensive help, even after dealing for Ramirez, and the Cubs must be creative in trade talks as long as Dempster holds fast to his preference to pitch in LA.

As a reminder, the larger the team logo, the more rumored interest.