Following the 2006 season, the Cubs inked Alfonso Soriano to an 8-year, $136 million contract. Even at the time it was perceived as a short-sighted move, but the Cubs, of course, don't play by the same rules as everyone else. The Cubs need to win the World Series -- just one -- and deal given to Soriano was with an eye on just that. Yes, the contract was much too long and featured way too much money loaded at the back end of the deal when Soriano's skills would likely diminish, but it wouldn't matter if the Cubs could win a single World Series. They did what they had to do to sign Soriano: the years, the cash, and, apparently, a no-trade clause.

Turns out Soriano didn't know about that last part, either.

This was all over the place yesterday, but we'll give the H/T to Cubs blog Ivy Envy, because they worded it the funniest.

Soriano spoke with Gordon Wittenmeyer of the Chicago Sun-Times and wasn’t even aware that he had a no-trade clause.  He said that he would waive it to go to a contender.

Serious yucks right there. Enough for the Red Eye to ask:

Do the Cubs have a no-brain clause?

And enough for Cubs fan friend to comment: "Jim Hendry gives out no-trade clause's like most people give out candy on Halloween."

For the record, Soriano says he would waive his NTC if dealt to a contender. Yeah, good luck finding someone to pick up the rest of that contract.