By Ken Rosenthal - Sporting News
Both New York teams could snap to attention if the Rangers decide to trade second baseman Alfonso Soriano. Though Soriano has resisted playing center field, perhaps he would reconsider if he were traded back to the Yankees, the team for which Alex Rodriguez was willing to move from shortstop to third base. The Yankees' problem is that they can't satisfy the Rangers' need for pitching.
The Mets, last in the National League in on-base/slugging percentage (OPS) at second base, are an even more obvious fit for Soriano. The Rangers have shown past interest in Mets shortstop Jose Reyes, but it's extremely doubtful the Mets would trade him, even though Reyes entered Wednesday's play with the sixth-lowest OPS among major leaguers who qualify for the batting title.
The Mets' loss of Class A righthander Philip Humber, who recently underwent elbow-ligament transplant surgery, has reduced the team's minor league pitching depth, making it unlikely that the Mets would part with Class AA righthander Yusmeiro Petit. A package of Petit and outfielder Victor Diaz is the type that could tempt the Rangers for Soriano.