Soriano a wanted man

Alfonso Soriano is a popular guy these days. The Chicago Sun-Times is reporting that the Cubs want to sign him and make him their center fielder and leadoff hitter. The Philadelphia Inquirer says that the Phillies want to sign him to play left field and bat in front of Ryan Howard.

Other reports have Soriano landing with the Angels, White Sox or Mets.

What’s the truth? Simply, that Soriano is the most desirable free agent out there and he’ll play wherever he wants next season.

Burrell on the block

Phils GM Pat Gillick has all but said that he will attempt to trade Pat Burrell in the offseason. It doesn’t even sound like he hopes to get much in return beyond salary relief.

“We’re going to have to continue to look for a little more offense. We know we’re probably… Pat has had a really difficult time protecting Howard,” Gillick said.

He noted the Tigers’ run to the American League pennant was driven by pitching. “We have to improve our pitching. We have to continue to work on our bullpen, and we have to continue to work on our starting pitching.”

I’m not sure how Gillick plans to improve the Phils’ starting staff — it’s looked great in the final month of the season. But if Jamie Moyer heads back to Seattle in the offseason, a starting spot could open up and, just between you and me, I think free agent Jason Shmidt would look darn good in red and white.