Soriano

[USSoccer]

I do not like Soriano at all. But the way things are going, acquiring him for minimal prospects would be the best thing Hendry has done this offseason. They do need a competent 5th hitter, and while his putrid OBP shows he's not an ideal 5th hitter, he would bring more to the table than Jones.

 

Agreed. At this point I'd be happy with it if it meant our pitching staff were intact, and if Walker is to be traded, then Soriano is probably the best we could do.

 

God knows what BOwden would want for him, though.

[goonys evil twin]

It seems to me that we have an excellent #2 hitter by the name of Todd Walker.

 

I'm a Walker fan, and want him to stay on the team unless his replacement is a serious upgrade. But I wouldn't call him an excellent 2 hitter. He's a competent 2 hitter, and can be pretty good there, but he's not excellent by any stretch. He does a lot of things well offensively, but nothing great.

[CubfaninCA]

Washington should pay a portion of Vidro's contract, if they deal him. Sounds like his knee isn't too unreliable.

[CubfaninCA]

It seems to me that we have an excellent #2 hitter by the name of Todd Walker.

 

I'm a Walker fan, and want him to stay on the team unless his replacement is a serious upgrade. But I wouldn't call him an excellent 2 hitter. He's a competent 2 hitter, and can be pretty good there, but he's not excellent by any stretch. He does a lot of things well offensively, but nothing great.

 

Pretty fair assessment here.

[BigbadB]

Soriano is not a must have and he isn't a good fit for what this team needs. I woudn't give up much for Soriano. It's Bowden's problem he traded for a 2nd baseman when he already had a 7m+ 2nd baseman.

 

We have a 2nd baseman in Walker. We have several if you include Hairston, Cedeno and Perez.

 

That being said, I'd gladly welcome Soriano if it means the rotation stays in tact.

[CubfaninCA]

Soriano is not a must have and he isn't a good fit for what this team needs. I woudn't give up much for Soriano. It's Bowden's problem he traded for a 2nd baseman when he already had a 7m+ 2nd baseman.

 

We have a 2nd baseman in Walker. We have several if you include Hairston, Cedeno and Perez.

 

That being said, I'd gladly welcome Soriano if it means the rotation stays in tact.

 

At this point, I take Soriano & his 40 home run potential to bat behind the big run producers, Lee & ARam. Jock Jones is a pretty shaky 5 hitter. Go w/ Cedeno or Murton in the 2 hole.

[TXCubsFan]

I'd prefer he get Vidro over Soriano.

 

I'd prefer to have Neifi! at SS and Cedeno at 2B rather than get Soriano. :lol:

[katway]

I'd prefer he get Vidro over Soriano.

 

Yep. If I traded for a Nats second baseman, it would be Vidro and not Soriano.

[jmajew]

Tejada 280/338/477

Soriano 280/320/500

 

Those are career numbers. I'd much prefer Soriano over Tejada any day of the week when cost is included. I honestly believe Soriano would be the better fit as well. This way Cedeno can play his natural position at SS and then we would bat Barrett second. When Barrett isn't playing you give either Cedeno or Murton a chance to bat there.

 

My bet is we could get Soriano for a combo of Patterson, Hill, Wellenmeyer or Novoa. We coudl even throw in Walker so they can spin him off to another team.

[SeldomSeen]

Tejada 280/338/477

Soriano 280/320/500

:shock:

 

[rhetorical]So, would you trade Prior for Soriano?[/rhetorical]

[KingCubsFan]

My bet is we could get Soriano for a combo of Patterson, Hill, Wellenmeyer or Novoa. We coudl even throw in Walker so they can spin him off to another team.

They just traded their best player to get Soriano. I don't think they'd turn around and trade him for Hill and a bunch of cast-offs. Vidro would be a better bet, and a good fit for the Cubs if he's healthy.

[St.Paul Cub]

At this point, I take Soriano & his 40 home run potential to bat behind the big run producers, Lee & ARam. Jock Jones is a pretty shaky 5 hitter. Go w/ Cedeno or Murton in the 2 hole.

 

I agree. Especially if we don't have to break up the rotation. He's not the impact bat we want, but I think he can make an impact.

[CubfaninCA]

At this point, I take Soriano & his 40 home run potential to bat behind the big run producers, Lee & ARam. Jock Jones is a pretty shaky 5 hitter. Go w/ Cedeno or Murton in the 2 hole.

 

I agree. Especially if we don't have to break up the rotation. He's not the impact bat we want, but I think he can make an impact.

 

The 1 & 2 hitters not getting on was a big problem, but Lee & ARam getting stranded by Burnitz was a big problem too.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

At this point, I take Soriano & his 40 home run potential to bat behind the big run producers, Lee & ARam. Jock Jones is a pretty shaky 5 hitter. Go w/ Cedeno or Murton in the 2 hole.

 

I agree. Especially if we don't have to break up the rotation. He's not the impact bat we want, but I think he can make an impact.

 

The 1 & 2 hitters not getting on was a big problem, but Lee & ARam getting stranded by Burnitz was a big problem too.

 

So you want Soriano's .309(including ridiculous Ameriquest splits) OBP to rectify that? He'd be worse in that sense.

[KingKongvs.Godzilla]

Soriano SUCKS.

 

Let the Nats keep him...we don't need another high K/low BB hitter. And considering how much he was saved by Arlington...theres not even a point.

 

He is going to dissapoint big time not being in a great hitters park (Texas) or not seeing a fastball first pitch every time he got up there (Yankees).

 

I can't wait to see it...never could stand the hype around him.

[goonys evil twin]

Soriano SUCKS.

...never could stand the hype around him.

 

I can't stand the hype either. But he doesn't suck. He can be a productive 2B. Moving him to the OF is stupid. I don't want him, but there are worse options (like having Jones hit 5th).

[BigbadB]

Soriano SUCKS.

 

Let the Nats keep him...we don't need another high K/low BB hitter. And considering how much he was saved by Arlington...theres not even a point.

 

He is going to dissapoint big time not being in a great hitters park (Texas) or not seeing a fastball first pitch every time he got up there (Yankees).

 

I can't wait to see it...never could stand the hype around him.

 

Texas is the only hitter's park in that division. The NL Central is one of the best hitter's divisions in baseball. I don't think you'd see much of a drop in his production if he came to the Cubs.

 

But, guys like Jacque Jones, Alfonso Soriano are guys that I have never felt were a good fit for the Cubs. The emphasis should be on adding players with a history of good OBP. Why management doesn't see this is beyond me.

[rawaction]

Soriano SUCKS.

 

Let the Nats keep him...we don't need another high K/low BB hitter. And considering how much he was saved by Arlington...theres not even a point.

 

He is going to dissapoint big time not being in a great hitters park (Texas) or not seeing a fastball first pitch every time he got up there (Yankees).

 

I can't wait to see it...never could stand the hype around him.

 

Texas is the only hitter's park in that division. The NL Central is one of the best hitter's divisions in baseball. I don't think you'd see much of a drop in his production if he came to the Cubs.

 

But, guys like Jacque Jones, Alfonso Soriano are guys that I have never felt were a good fit for the Cubs. The emphasis should be on adding players with a history of good OBP. Why management doesn't see this is beyond me.

 

Agreed on all accounts. But if management isn't gonna go after guys with OBP history, the least they can do is go after guys who do well in spite of that. Soriano and Tejada would qualify. And the Cubs did well with Dawson and Sosa who didn't have that type of history at the time they were picked up.

[CubfaninCA]

Soriano SUCKS.

 

Let the Nats keep him...we don't need another high K/low BB hitter. And considering how much he was saved by Arlington...theres not even a point.

 

He is going to dissapoint big time not being in a great hitters park (Texas) or not seeing a fastball first pitch every time he got up there (Yankees).

 

I can't wait to see it...never could stand the hype around him.

 

Texas is the only hitter's park in that division. The NL Central is one of the best hitter's divisions in baseball. I don't think you'd see much of a drop in his production if he came to the Cubs.

 

But, guys like Jacque Jones, Alfonso Soriano are guys that I have never felt were a good fit for the Cubs. The emphasis should be on adding players with a history of good OBP. Why management doesn't see this is beyond me.

 

Don't 6 of the 8 positions have good obp? Give me more ops.

[UK1679666180]

I've always liked Soriano, but if there was a different option in RF right now, I'd have no problem bringing him in. But, he'll be expensive, soon to be FA, and the low OBP doesn't mix well hitting in front of Jones.

 

Of course, they'd have to have Murton hitting 2nd.

[goonys evil twin]

Don't 6 of the 8 positions have good obp? Give me more ops.

 

Not necessarily. Depends heavily on a bounceback from Pierre, who is playing 2B, how often Neifi plays, whether Murton can get the job done and/or what veteran Dusty replaces him with. There's a good chance they'll get solid OBP from 1B and 3B. They should have above average OBP from CF. Barrett's game is more about his AVG and SLG than OBP, but he could be above average for C (though you have to remember Blanco will get lots of time and significantly bring down the overall OBP from that position).

 

You can't just say the OBP is good from 6 of 8 so let's ignore it. The Cubs have a clear OBP problem, and it's directly tied to lack of walks. That problem hasn't gone away. The goal should not be about being average, or even above average in this department anyway, it should be about being great. But the Cubs were awful and are probably still below average.

[rawaction]

Soriano SUCKS.

 

Let the Nats keep him...we don't need another high K/low BB hitter. And considering how much he was saved by Arlington...theres not even a point.

 

He is going to dissapoint big time not being in a great hitters park (Texas) or not seeing a fastball first pitch every time he got up there (Yankees).

 

I can't wait to see it...never could stand the hype around him.

 

Texas is the only hitter's park in that division. The NL Central is one of the best hitter's divisions in baseball. I don't think you'd see much of a drop in his production if he came to the Cubs.

 

But, guys like Jacque Jones, Alfonso Soriano are guys that I have never felt were a good fit for the Cubs. The emphasis should be on adding players with a history of good OBP. Why management doesn't see this is beyond me.

 

Don't 6 of the 8 positions have good obp? Give me more ops.

 

No. Murton is unproven and could go either way in LF. Pierre is coming off a .330 OBP season. Jones can't get on base at all. Cedeno is unproven at SS. Walker won't be here, so that leaves Perez who can't get on base to save his life. Barrett is a career .320 OBP guy, and his .345 last year was good, but not great. Ramirez is pretty average driven in his OBP. Only Lee has a proven BB/PA.

[BigbadB]

Don't 6 of the 8 positions have good obp? Give me more ops.

 

I suppose that depends on what you define as "good" OBP.

[KingKongvs.Godzilla]

.290 .338 .525

.280 .324 .484

.268 .309 .512

 

Those are Soriano's '03-'05 seasons. Nice drop in batting average and and OBP, just what we need. Nice seeing those drops occur after he moves into the Coors Field of the AL.

 

His H-R splits:

 

.315 .355 .656 1.011 - Home

 

.224 .265 .374 .639 - Away

 

Thats last year.

 

.317 .360 .526 .886 - Home

 

.244 .291 .444 .735 - Away

 

Why would anyone want this guy in their lineup? He plays horrid defense, he K's a ton, he doesn't walk, he is a FA next year, his percieved value is disgustingly high (he cost the Nationals TWO better, younger, cheaper hitters), and the list could go on...

[oldcubsfan]

Don't 6 of the 8 positions have good obp? Give me more ops.

 

Not necessarily. Depends heavily on a bounceback from Pierre, who is playing 2B, how often Neifi plays, whether Murton can get the job done and/or what veteran Dusty replaces him with. There's a good chance they'll get solid OBP from 1B and 3B. They should have above average OBP from CF. Barrett's game is more about his AVG and SLG than OBP, but he could be above average for C (though you have to remember Blanco will get lots of time and significantly bring down the overall OBP from that position).

 

You can't just say the OBP is good from 6 of 8 so let's ignore it. The Cubs have a clear OBP problem, and it's directly tied to lack of walks. That problem hasn't gone away. The goal should not be about being average, or even above average in this department anyway, it should be about being great. But the Cubs were awful and are probably still below average.

 

The Cubs had a higher OBP than the White Sox and Astros last year. It is not the only number that matters.