The non-waiver trade deadline came and went on Monday without the Nationals dealing away Alfonso Soriano, so now the club intends to do all it can to sign him. "When you don't do a deal like this, I think your intention is you're hoping you're able to sign him," general manager Jim Bowden said. "Our organization, led by [Nationals president Stan Kasten], has been involved in negotiations. And we'll continue to discuss. You never know how it's going to end up, but it's certainly clear that Alfonso wants to be here." Soriano's agent, who doesn't play for the Nationals and gets no particular benefit from having his client settle for less than he might get on the open market, maybe as much as five years and $75 million.