We were glad to see him signed, and we hate to see him go, despite the fact that his memorable, 40-40 year didn’t translate into a winning season for the Nats. While the home club was nominally trying to retain their star left fielder, Washington’s offers ultimately came nowhere near the money Soriano will receive from his new team, the Chicago Cubs. His announced deal, $136 million over 8 years for an average of about $17 million per year, could fairly be called epic. While not the longest or most expensive in baseball history, it will keep Soriano under contract until he’s 39 and grant him a no-trade clause. Eyebrow raising stuff.

Given the value that the league, and especially the Cubbies, saw in Soriano, it’s a shame that the Nats weren’t able to turn their rights to him into any meaningful gain for the club. The Nats will receive two draft picks from the Cubs–and probably not great ones, given the Cubs’ relatively poor performance last year (their first round pick is protected). The Nats might end up drafting superstars, but it’s hard to believe that the front office couldn’t have squeezed more out of a contender via a trade during the past season–at least, perhaps, players who had proved themselves in the farm system of another team.

But that will have to remain the stuff of idle speculation. Kasten and the Nats made their call, and the next time Soriano sets foot in RFK, it will be as a Cub. Let us know what you think of the deal in the comments.

AP Photo taken by Haraz N. Ghanbari.