Yankees on the verge of acquiring Alfonso Soriano

Cubs outfielder Alfonso Soriano has been removed from the team's starting lineup Thursday, and a trade between the Yankees and Cubs involving Soriano is close to being completed, MLB.com reports. Manager Dale Sveum told reporters the deal was "99 percent done."

Soriano spent the first five years of his major-league career with the Yankees, hitting .284/.322/.502 with 98 home runs, 270 RBI and 121 stolen bases in 2,010 at-bats from 1999 to 2003. He has hit .254/.287/.467 with 17 home runs, 51 RBI and 10 stolen bases in 362 at-bats this season.