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Soriano signs with Cubs for $136 million

The Chicago Cubs signed Alfonso Soriano to an eight-year contract for $136 million. Although the deal is not yet official, reports say the player`s agent Pat Rooney has reached agreement with the Cubs, and only a physical exam remains before finalizing the deal. Soriano played last season with the Washington Nationals, where he hit a career-high 46 home runs and stole 41 bases.

It is the fifth highest contract in baseball history, and testimony that the Cubs are determined to chase the title. Soriano was paid only $800,000 dollars a year three years ago, at the time when he was traded for Alex Rodriguez, the $252 million player. Earlier in the off-season, the team signed third baseman Aramis Ram?rez to a five-year, $75 million contract. With talks of the team being sold by its current ownership, the Tribune Company, it is likely that the monster contracts will be paid by future owners, hence explaining the sudden generosity.

Soriano is a right-handed power hitter blessed with speed, bating first in the lineup. Playing at left field for the Nats, he led the National League in outfield assists with 22, but has also committed 11 errors. He will be 31 on opening day, and is believed to have benefited from coming off a career best season, and possibly having rh Cubs regret the lucrative contract in the long run. They have become, however, serious contenders for the coming season.