It was announced today that seven time All Star Alfonso Soriano has officially retired from Major League Baseball. The 38 year old Dominican born player spent sixteen seasons in the Majors, predominantly with the New York Yankees and the Chicago Cubs.
Soriano had a rough start to his professional career, electing to begin in Japan with the Hiroshima Toyo Carp, only playing nine games and seeking an out to his distaste of the Japanese style of discipline and play. After legal red tape was cut through, he would sign as a Free Agent with the New York Yankees, where in 2001 he would win the starting Second Baseman’s job and finish third in American League Rookie of the Year voting.
The season after, Soriano would have what would be regarded as his best season, leading the American League in Runs Scored, Hits and Stolen Bases with a career high .300 Batting Average. This was the season that he finished third in AL MVP voting. Soriano, would execute significant power and speed numbers in his career, contributing a tally of 412 Home Runs with 289 Stolen Bases.
Soriano would be part of the trade for Alex Rodriguez and find a new home with the Texas Rangers where he would stay for two seasons remaining productive on the offense. He would be traded to Washington, and though he had another good season with his bat, Manager Frank Robinson inserted him into Left Field, a position he initially refused to go to.
As a Free Agent, Soriano signed with the Chicago Cubs where he continued to execute power and speed. In his second year with Chicago, he made his seventh consecutive All Star Game and he would play there another five years before returning to play for the Yankees in 2013.
Soriano would be released in July of this year and would not latch onto another team. Citing that his desire for the game was not the same, he announced his retirement.
Although the four time Silver Slugger put up good numbers, his lack of defensive skill gave him a career bWAR of 27.2, and overall it is unlikely that he will gain admission to the hallowed halls of Cooperstown. Still, this was a very good career and one that Yankees and Cubs fans likely have fond memories of.
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