Cubs outfielder Alfonso Soriano told reporters on Monday that he’d accept a trade to “six or seven” other teams (ESPN Chicago).

As Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune reminds us, Soriano last year had the chance to approve a trade to the Giants, eventual winners of belt and title, but opted not to do so. This time around, Soriano adds that he’d give the go-ahead for a team in the “east or center,” so perhaps nothing’s changed when it comes to his willingness to be shipped out west.

In any event, Soriano’s no-trade clause is just one obstacle to dealing him. The fact that he’ll make $18 million in each of the next two seasons is also a notable impediment. Unless the Cubs are willing to throw in towering stack of bills—marked or unmarked—it’s going to be impossible to trade Soriano. The near-deal with San Francisco, of course, suggests the Cubs are indeed willing.

According to Jim Salisbury and John Heyman the Phillies have an agreement to trade for Wilton Lopez from the Houston Astros. Lopez, arbitration eligible for the first time this year had a pretty stellar season for a pretty horrible team in 2012, posting a 6.35 K/BB ratio, and the 17th best xFIP in the game.If you look closely at that link, he was eerily similar to Jonathan Papelbon in virtually every category. Walked less, K’d less, but a fine relief pitcher nonetheless.

Lopez took over for Brett Myers as the closer in mid season for Houston and racked up 10 saves as well for a pretty dismal team. TGP hall of famer and numbers guru extraordinaire Matt Swartz projects a fairly modest 1.4mm salary through arbitration for Lopez, who has plenty of team control left.