MLB: Cubs, Yankees complete deal for Soriano

The Chicago Cubs finalized the trade of outfielder Alfonso Soriano to the New York Yankees on Friday.

According to multiple reports, the Cubs will receive a Class A pitching prospect and pick up the majority of Soriano's salary. The deal is pending the approval of Major League Baseball.

The Cubs will pay approximately $17.7 million of Soriano's $24.5 million salary thourgh the end of the 2014 season and the Yankees will be responsible for $6.8 million, ESPN reported.

The 37-year-old Soriano waived his no-trade clause to make the deal happen. He started his career in 1999 with the Yankees, who are hoping that his addition will help keep them in the race in the American League East.

The veteran is closing in on 400 career homers and 2,000 hits. This year, he is batting .254 with 17 home runs and 51 RBIs. Eight homers have come in July.

Soriano left the Cubs in Arizona on Thursday (Friday, PHL time) after he was scratched from the lineup and is expected to be in the starting line-up Friday (Saturday, PHL time) for the Yankees when they face the Tampa Bay Rays.

"He's going to a place that is obviously one of the better stadiums, and he's been there before and has performed in that atmosphere before," Cubs manager Dale Sveum said Thursday (Friday, PHL time). "Obviously, they've had a lot of injuries, and he's the guy who can fill that void as [a designated hitter] and in left field.

"He's put together a pretty good run. Last year at 36 years old, he hit 32 [homers] and drove in 108. That's a legacy in itself. He's a guy who when he's on the field, he's lived up to his media guide, so to speak, besides the stolen bases he's had in his career early."

The Cubs have now unloaded five veterans - outfielders Scott Hairston and Soriano, and pitchers Matt Garza, Scott Feldman and Carlos Marmol - before the July 31 trade deadline. - Reuters