Soriano - the model employee

[fiver]

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2266303

 

This may have been discussed elsewhere, but I didn't see such a thread. Soriano's quotes in this article do nothing to endear him to anyone. The man is making $10 million a year and this is what he has to say about changing positions and playing in the NL:

 

"I don't want to change," Soriano said Monday night at a dinner held for major league players by Dominican Republic President Leonel Fernandez. "If I haven't done it before, I won't do it now."

 

Many players have expressed the desire to not change positions, so I will give him that much.

 

Soriano said he had a greater comfort level in the AL, and he plans to become a free agent after next season and sign with an AL team.

 

"I knew the pitchers and batters of opposing teams and, therefore, where to place myself defensively. In the National that's going to take me a while," he said.

 

So basically he's stating that learning new pitchers and batters would require too much work. This is the type of player that every team needs.

[YearofDaCubs]

Another reason why I'm glad he's not here.

[bannor10]

I would rather have a disgruntled Soriano than Nefi playing everyday...

[Andy]

Great deal for the Nats, eh? Wilkerson, Sledge, and extras for whatever scraps they can pick up for Soriano.

[Jehrico]

I would rather have a disgruntled Soriano than Nefi playing everyday...

 

I don't know...similar OBPs, Soriano has much better power of course, Neifi has much better defense. Soriano is faster, Neifi has a better attitude. Soriano's numbers have been in an overall downward trend for 4 years. Neifi's consistantly sucked. Soriano is frighteningly bad away from the hitters park that is in Arlington (.225/.265/.374). Neifi's home/road splits are pretty close. I'll take Neifi at 2.5 over Soriano at 10 any day of the week, and twice on Sundays.

[RockTheIvy]

I'll take Neifi at 2.5 over Soriano at 10 any day of the week, and twice on Sundays.

 

Hmm, you bring up an interesting point. What players would you take Neifi! over?

[Jehrico]

Very stupid move by Soriano to make that statement. Washington would have to be stupid to not offer him arbitration in the offseason. He's going to be a Class A FA next year, so whoever in the AL signs him, is going to lose a 1st round draft pick (provided it's not protected, then it'll be the 2nd). That lowers his value and might keep certain teams out of the hunt.

 

I hope washington fans boo him relentlessly this year. He is the type of player I love to hate.

[Jehrico]

I'll take Neifi at 2.5 over Soriano at 10 any day of the week, and twice on Sundays.

 

Hmm, you bring up an interesting point. What players would you take Neifi! over?

 

Not many. I think Soriano is one of the most overrated players in the game. He had a .309 OBP last year, and HORRIFIC road splits. He's declining for a few years now despite still being in his 20s (he'll be 30 next month).

 

Who would I take Neifi over? If I were looking at starting Neifi at 2nd, I'd take him over Buntless...err....Bruntlett (HOU), Damon Easley (AZ), Bo Hart (StL)...not many every day players. I don't know what I'd do if the offer was Kaz Matsui. I can't think off hand of any other regular 2Bman that I would prefer him over. I can't think of any other 2Bman making 7 mil plus that have a bad attitude, are butchers at the position, are unwilling to move, and are grossly overpaid like Soriano is. The fact I'd take Neifi over him, who I can't stand to see playing on our team, says alot.