Cubs rumors: Chicago shopped Alfonso Soriano to Phillies, Astros

The Chicago Cubs are reportedly willing to trade veteran outfielder Alfonso Soriano this offseason, and they’ve held preliminary talks involving the slugger with the Philadelphia Phillies and Houston Astros, according to Jayson Stark of ESPN and Danny Knobler of CBS Sports:

#Phillies were initially uninterested when #Cubs approached them on Soriano. Now kicking it around but a long shot to actually happen.

— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) December 11, 2012

Cubs also shopped Soriano to Astros as a possible DH, but Astros don't have enough money (even with Cubs contributing a lot).

— DKnobler (@DKnobler) December 11, 2012

When the Cubs first approached the Phillies regarding Soriano, Philadelphia was "initially uninterested" in the idea of a trade, according to Stark. However, the team is now "kicking it around," but they still remain a long shot to actually acquire the outfielder.

The Cubs shopped Soriano to the Astros as a designated hitter option for the new American League club. However, even with Chicago eating "a lot" of the veteran’s remaining contract Houston doesn’t have enough money to swing a deal.

Soriano hit .262/.322/.499 with 33 doubles and 32 home runs last season and is owned another $36 million over the next two years of his contract.