Soriano resisting possible position change

Alfonso Soriano has accepted his trade to the Washington Nationals. But the All-Star second baseman has no interest in playing the outfield, according to a report in The Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
"I have the same position (on moving) as I always had when I was with Texas," Soriano said. "I said that I'm not going to change from second base."
Soriano told the Star-Telegram that he had anticipated a possible trade. So he was hardly surprised when the Rangers and Nationals finally completed a deal early Thursday morning in which Brad Wilkerson, Terrmel Sledge and minor-league pitcher Armando Galarraga were sent packing for the Lone Star State.
"It is part of the business. I already went through this when I moved from the Yankees to Texas," Soriano, who has been an All-Star four straight seasons, told The Associated Press on Thursday.
The fact that Soriano faces a position change is hardly surprising. That was a bone of contention with the Rangers, who wanted him to consider a possible move to shortstop or the outfield after he was acquired in the Alex Rodriguez trade in February 2004.
It is thought that the Nationals want Soriano — whom many consider to be a mediocre defensive player — to play left field or center field if their three-time All-Star second baseman Jose Vidro is healthy.
Soriano told the Star-Telegram that he has not talked to anyone from the Nationals, and doubts that they want him to play a new position.
"I think that if they traded for me, it's to play second base."
Does he have any control over a possible position switch?
"Obviously, I have the control," he said. "Of course I'm not going to play the outfield."
With a rare combination of power and speed, Soriano has been one of the most productive infielders in the majors the past four years. He hit .268 with 36 homers, 104 RBIs and 30 stolen bases last season.
He made $7.5 million this year, but is eligible for salary arbitration and almost certainly will get a substantial raise for next season. He also can become a free agent after the 2006 season.

Source: http://msn.foxsports.com/