The Cubs signed Alfonso Soriano to an eight-year deal believed to be worth $136 million. It's the richest deal in Cubs history, topping the five-year, $73 million contract that third baseman Aramis Ramirez inked one week ago. It's also the fifth-largest package ever given to a Major League player, behind Alex Rodriguez ($252 million for 10 years), Derek Jeter ($189 million for 10 years), Manny Ramirez ($160 million for eight years) and Todd Helton ($141.5 million for 11 years). The power has definitely shifted in the National League Central. "The Cubs are stacking it," Brewers manager Ned Yost said. "You look at Soriano, Ramirez and [Derrek] Lee, and they're going to have quite a team. We're not going to be able to match their thump, so we're going to have to have good pitching and defense to compete. They're looking pretty good right now."