Alfonso Soriano wants to
warm up for his Chicago Cubs debut by playing for his hometown team
in the Dominican winter league.
``I'm going to ask permission to play for the Eastern Stars when
I get back to Chicago for the press conference where they're going
to introduce me next week,'' the slugger said Friday after arriving
in the Caribbean country.
Soriano's new US$136-million, eight-year with the Cubs is the
fifth-richest in major league history.
If he gets permission to suit up, Soriano would join New York
Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano and Los Angeles outfielder Matt
Kemp on the Stars. The team from San Pedro de Macoris trails the
first-place Cibao Giants by 4{ games.
Soriano said he would keep working out as an outfielder but is
willing to consider a return to second base, the position he played
before joining the Washington Nationals before last season.
``I know that Chicago already has Mark DeRosa at second base, but
if they want me to play second, I will,'' he said.
