Alfonso Soriano for Jason Bay: A Trade That Makes Sense

As a preface to this article, please read my previous article.

It was reported on Sunday evening that the Boston Red Sox and left fielder Jason Bay, whose current contract ends after the 2009 season, have been unable to reach an agreement on an extension, and that the Red Sox are backing away from the negotiating table.

Time for a big-time trade idea!

The Chicago Cubs should trade Alfonso Soriano to the Red Sox for Bay. Straight up. Done deal.

Why the Cubs Would Do This Deal

The Cubs don't need another middle-of-the-order right-handed bat; they need a true leadoff man. The trouble is, as long as Soriano is making $16 million (or $18 million, as he'll make annually from 2010-14) and he thinks he's a leadoff man, it will be tough to convince someone to move him.

Soriano has had issues other than getting on base consistently at the top of the Cubs order. He's had some health concerns, specifically with his legs, and his defense leaves a lot to be desired (I think he's afraid of the warning track).

But the reality with Soriano is he can hit. Last year, Soriano hit 29 home runs and stole 19 bases with a .280 batting average in 109 games.

So, why move him?

Moving Soriano would enable the Cubs to solve two problems. First, they could open the door for a competition to find a legitimate leadoff man. Secondly, they could put someone who's defensively competent in left.

Why Bay?

Yes, he'll be a free agent after 2009, but that's hardly a concern; with the enormous cash savings the Cubs would realize by moving Soriano off their books, they could overpay Bay and still end up saving money over the next six seasons.

Also, Bay is two years younger than Soriano, meaning a deal equal in length to what remains of Soriano's current deal (2014) would see Bay only at 36 years old; Soriano will be nearly 39 by the time his contract expires.

Finally, Bay put up big numbers and was an impact player for the Red Sox last year in the ALCS. He played well down the stretch and into October and might provide a right-handed punch in the lineup when Derrek Lee's bat goes into hibernation in September.

Why the Red Sox Would Do This Deal

Obviously, they don't want to see Bay walk out the door for nothing, and if they can't get an extension done with him, they'll want to receive something in return.

I've already talked about Soriano's strengths at the plate. A move to left field in Boston might actually be a positive for Soriano as well; the fact that high drives would be played off the wall instead of Soriano needing to run into it might turn him into a good outfielder. Remember, Soriano has been in the top 10 in baseball in outfield assists each of the last three years.

But, in my mind, Soriano would only play left field at Fenway for two years.

After 2010, David Ortiz has a club option to return or become a free agent. He would make $12.5 million in 2011, at the age of 35. He has struggled through health issues the past couple seasons, keeping him a designated hitter.

Soriano would give the Red Sox an ideal designated hitter to replace Ortiz after 2010. His ability to play in the field would give management the flexibility to not have him stuck on the bench for half of every inning, which would pay huge dividends in a National League park. Also, if he isn't running into a wall and hurting himself, Soriano might get back to hitting 40+ home runs.

The other reason the Red Sox do this deal is because of the length of Soriano's contract. While it might appear to be a burden to take on the kind of salary he'll make in the next six seasons, the fact that Boston wouldn't need to renegotiate a contract until after 2014 would be a positive.

The Red Sox have locked up Kevin Youkilis trough 2012 and Dustin Pedroia through 2014. They'll have Ortiz's contract as well as Mike Lowell's ($12 million per) coming off the books after 2010, and J.D. Drew's ($14 million per) after 2011. The money would be available, and there will be enough slots to fill in the order that having a solid bat signed through 2014 would make sense.