Schuster: Soriano Has No Regrets Staying With Cubs
By David Schuster
MESA, Ariz. (CBS) -- Alfonso Soriano could have garnered a World Series ring but he turned down a trade late last season to the San Francisco Giants.
Soriano had no regrets when he met the media for the first time at spring training in Arizona. The Cubs left fielder had medical reasons for turning down that trade.
"At that point, I was having problems with my knee and the cold weather out there wouldn't have been good for me. I'm happy for them that they won the World Series, but I have to be comfortable where I play," Soriano said.
He has veto rights over any possible trades from the Cubs but it still could happen. "They know where I would be comfortable. They've talked with me and my agent but the important thing is that I am here and I'm happy here," he said.
Soriano knows he is nearing the tail end of his career but he's not ready to hang his cleats up just yet.
"It's unbelievable. This is my 13th year in the big leagues and time sure does fly. Even when I signed the contract with the Cubs I said this contract is so long," Soriano said.
And that's pretty much what Cub fans have been saying for a while.
At least for the initial part of the upcoming season Soriano will be a Cub, but he knows things can change.
"At my age, I don't want to be part of a losing team. So, I hope we start good and that everyone stays healthy. The point is that I signed here to win a World Series and don't want to go anywhere else to do it," the veteran left-fielder said.
Too late for that, however, as he had a chance to win the series last year and it's highly unlikely he'll ever do it in a Cubs uniform.
For more Cubs spring training coverage from Mesa, Ariz, click here. Find all of David Schuster's spring training blogs here and follow him on Twitter (@schumouse).
