Soria expects to remain in Texas past July

NEW YORK -- Rangers reliever Joakim Soria's contract contains a partial no-trade clause that lists a number of teams to which he can't be traded by Texas.

Soria just doesn't know which teams are included, and he hasn't bothered to ask his agent. That's how much he's worried about being traded before the July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline.

"I can't control that, so I don't worry about it," said Soria, who earned his 17th save in Monday night's 4-2 win over the Yankees. "Obviously, people say things and there are rumors, but I don't worry about it too much."

The Rangers are willing to trade Soria, but they're asking for two to three highly regarded prospects in return. The Tigers are among those that have asked about Soria, and other teams are looking for bullpen help.

The Rangers went into Tuesday's game against the Yankees tied for the worst record in the Majors, so it might seem to benefit Soria if he were traded to a contender with a real chance to make the playoffs.

"In a selfish way, maybe," Soria said. "But I like this team and I like my teammates. If they make a decision to do something, it's a business. They are going to do what's best for us, and I'll take it as part of baseball."

Soria spent five years as the Royals' closer before signing with the Rangers. He has never pitched in the playoffs. The closest the right-hander has come to postseason baseball was facing one batter in last year's regular-season tiebreaker game, which the Rangers lost to the Rays.

"Obviously, you always want to be in the playoffs and get to the World Series and be a champion," Soria said. "That's part of our job. Hopefully, one day we'll go there."