Soriano Stays Put on Busy Trading Day

The Washington Nationals surprised many by holding onto outfielder Alfonso Soriano as baseball’s non-waiver trade deadline passed Monday.

Soriano, an All-Star left fielder, is batting .287 with 32 home runs, 66 RBIs and 26 stolen bases in his first season with Washington after a trade from Texas during the off-season.

“We felt the best deal we could make is no deal for the franchise,” General Manager Jim Bowden said. “He wants to stay in D.C. and did not want to be traded.”

Soriano, who makes $10 million this year, can become a free agent after the season.

“I’m happy,” Soriano said. “It will be more easy to focus on playing every time because it passed. I was very excited they wanted to keep me here. ... I love my teammates too. I think they were happy to see me walk in here.”

While Soriano stayed put, there were 12 trades Monday, including four by the Pittsburgh Pirates. Teams can still make trades, but players must first pass through waivers.

Shortstop Miguel Tejada also stayed in Baltimore.

After setup man Duaner Sanchez dislocated his pitching shoulder in a taxi accident, the NL East-leading New York Mets quickly replenished their staff by acquiring Roberto Hernandez and Oliver Perez from Pittsburgh for outfielder Xavier Nady.

Sanchez, 26, was riding in the cab when it got in an accident near the team’s hotel in Florida late Sunday night, the Mets said.

The team expects to learn in about a week whether Sanchez needs surgery. If he does, it would end his season. If he does not, he could return in September, according to General Manager Omar Minaya, who said he had hoped to acquire a starting pitcher before the trade deadline.

Pittsburgh also sent right-hander Kip Wells to Texas for minor league pitcher Jesse Chavez; outfielder Craig Wilson to the New York Yankees for right-hander Shawn Chacon; and first baseman Sean Casey to Detroit for right-hander Brian Rogers.

The Chicago Cubs traded infielder Todd Walker and $350,000 to San Diego for minor league right-hander Jose Ceda.

Texas acquired infielder-outfielder Matt Stairs from Kansas City for right-hander Joselo Diaz.

Cincinnati, continuing to remake its pitching staff, obtained left-hander Rheal Cormier from Philadelphia and right-hander Kyle Lohse from Minnesota. The Reds sent right-hander Justin Germano to the Phillies and right-hander Zach Ward to the Twins.

In other recent trades, the Reds obtained closer Eddie Guardado from Seattle and relievers Gary Majewski and Bill Bray from Washington.

Atlanta dealt struggling pitcher Jorge Sosa to St. Louis for right-hander Rich Scalamandre.