Eight years, about $135 million

That’s what the Cubs are going to pay for Alfonso Soriano to bat leadoff and play center field — an average of $17 million a year until he’s 38 years old. I’m not blogging this saying the Tigers missed out; they were out of it pretty early before trading for Gary Sheffield. I’m blogging it to show this is where the market is now set. J.D. Drew, Carlos Lee, Aubrey Huff and the like can fall in line from here.

Give the Cubs credit for at least being aggressive. They knew they were going to have to hit the market to boost their offense, they saw where the prices were heading, and they pounced early. As much as Detroit gave up in prospects and money for Sheffield, the $41 million they’ll owe for three years on him doesn’t look quite as high now after a few free-agent signings.

Soriano isn’t the signing the Tigers have to worry about. Instead, the going rate on middle relief is going up in the wake of the Jamie Walker deal. Now it’s four years and $18 million for Justin Speier from the Angels and two years for lefty Mike Stanton, who will turn 40 years old by the midway point of his first season for the Reds.