Cubs rumors: Yankees unlikely to acquire Alfonso Soriano

The New York Yankees are combing the market for a potential fill in for injured outfielder Curtis Granderson. While Alfonso Soriano's name has come up in trade rumors, "Cubs people" tell Joel Sherman of The New York Post that they can't imagine the Yankees pursuing the veteran.

Soriano is owed another $36 million over the next two seasons, but the Cubs have told potential suitors that they're willing to eat a large portion of his remaining tab. It was previously reported that the Yankees would be willing to take on $10 million of Soriano's contract, but they wouldn't be interested in giving up a "good" prospect.

However, Granderson is expected to miss roughly 30 games, and Sherman's sources don't get the sense that New York would take on the financial commitment it's expected to require to add Soriano for this short of a duration.

Rather than acquire a veteran like Soriano, the Yankees appear to be interested in surveying their in-house options, at this point. If these prove unappealing, they then could turn to out-of-option candidates or others that are at risk of being cut at the end of the spring.

The Cubs have made it clear that they're not going to give Soriano away, but he remains a candidate to be moved. The 37-year-old owns 10-and-5 rights, meaning he can veto any trades, but he said he's willing to accept deals that send him to specified contenders.

Soriano hit .262/.322/.499 with 33 doubles and 32 home runs over 615 plate appearances last season.