TAMPA — Alfonso Soriano could join Derek Jeter in retirement following the end of the upcoming baseball season.
“It depends on how I feel,’’ Soriano said when asked by The Post if he wants to continue playing. “If I am healthy I will play [in 2015]. If not, I will let it go. It depends how I feel.’’
Soriano will be 39 in July and this will be his 14th big league season. Between the Cubs and Yankees last year, Soriano hit 34 homers and drove in 101 runs proving he wasn’t in decline.
The splits were eerily even. In 93 games with the Cubs, Soriano batted .254 with 17 homers and 51 RBIs. In 58 games with the Yankees he batted .256 with 17 homers and 50 RBIs.
He is in the final leg of a nine-year, $136 million deal that pays him $18 million this season. The Yankees, who acquired Soriano from the Cubs last July, are paying $5 million of this year’s salary.
More immediate than possibly retiring is where Soriano fits into the Yankees’ lineup this season.
When the Yankees signed Jacoby Ellsbury to play center, Brett Gardner shifted to left where Soriano played after coming from Chicago. Carlos Beltran inked a three-year deal for $45 million to play right field.
The most logical fit for the powerful right-handed hitting Soriano is designated hitter. Yet, Soriano is more comfortable playing the outfield than killing time as the DH.
He has been a DH in 35 games and played left field in 1,043.
“I don’t know,’’ Soriano said when asked where he fit. “They said something about DH and left field. I want to be in the lineup, it doesn’t matter where.’’
Considering his lack of experience as the DH, Soriano admitted it will necessitate changes in his routine.
“If I am the DH I will have to make adjustments,’’ Soriano said. “When the team is playing defense I will have to find a way to keep my body warm and ready.’’