There had been much speculation that the Yankees would have Alfonso Soriano, a top shortstop prospect, move to the outfield in winter ball.

If Cabrera insists on a long-term deal, he may not get it in Boston, where Hanley Ramirez, a top shortstop prospect, should arrive by 2006.

To get Alex Rodriguez, the Yankees sent Alfonso Soriano and their top shortstop prospect, Joaquin Arias, to Texas.

The Mets think the Indians might like Felix Fermin enough to deal their hot shortstop prospect, Mark Lewis.

If Soriano, a top shortstop prospect, is going to remain in the majors, he is going to play regularly, Manager Joe Torre said, but he also indicated that he would evaluate the situation daily.

He is currently a shortstop prospect in the Boston Red Sox organization.

As a senior, Braun was rated the sixth-best shortstop prospect in the country by Team One Baseball, and among the top 100 overall prospects by Baseball America.

While attending Kyunggi High School in Seoul, Oh was considered one of the top shortstop prospects in the Korean high school baseball league along with An Chi-Hong.

He was so highly regarded as a prospect that a scout for the Philadelphia Phillies recommended signing him over another shortstop prospect, Honus Wagner.

With José Reyes, the heralded shortstop prospect, expected to arrive at Shea sometime during the season, the Mets have prepared.