Soriano rumor....

[C.C.]

For whatever it's worth...

 

http://bleedcubbieblue.com/

 

 

I heard one rumor today that I will pass along to you, and I do think it has some credibility -- Alfonso Soriano has reportedly let his agent know that the Cubs are his top choice club for 2007, and to play second base.

 

[Guest]

this sounds familiar - I wonder if that poster heard that rumor here.

[RockTheIvy]

Wow.

 

I didn't realize that Soriano has walked over 60 times this year, almost doubling his previous career high.

 

He's got an isolated patience over .70. If he could keep that up next year, I could live with him. And I'll take anyone at 2B over RonCe.

 

Go get him!

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Signing Soriano would make up for the loss of power we have in the OF.

[RockTheIvy]

Signing Soriano would make up for the loss of power we have in the OF.

 

Especially if Murton can continue to develop.

 

Where would we bat him? Fifth?

[Guest]

Wow.

 

I didn't realize that Soriano has walked over 60 times this year, almost doubling his previous career high.

 

He's got an isolated patience over .70. If he could keep that up next year, I could live with him. And I'll take anyone at 2B over RonCe.

 

Go get him!

 

I had the exact same reaction when I looked up his stats. his power is up as well likely as a consequence.

[Guest]

Signing Soriano would make up for the loss of power we have in the OF.

 

Soriano needs to play OF. CF preferably.

[RammyFanny]

Don't stop there..

 

Also, I learned today that it is almost a done deal for Aramis Ramirez to return (terms unknown), and that the club is working on an offer to Juan Pierre.

[CubColtPacer]

Don't stop there..

 

Also, I learned today that it is almost a done deal for Aramis Ramirez to return (terms unknown), and that the club is working on an offer to Juan Pierre.

 

As a collective whole, I'll certainly take that news. A lineup of

Pierre

Murton

Lee

Ramirez

Soriano

Barrett

Jones

Izturis

 

would be a pretty good lineup. Sign a platoon partner for Jones, and it could certainly be the best lineup in the division.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Signing Soriano would make up for the loss of power we have in the OF.

 

Soriano needs to play OF. CF preferably.

 

Why not have him play 2B?

[Brian]

this was my favorite part of the entry.

 

As I was leaving, I spotted a young couple -- she, wearing a Ryne Sandberg jersey, he, wearing a Reds Pete Rose jersey.

 

Somehow, I don't think those two are going to make it.

 

would be funnier if he was wearing a Joe Morgan jersey though.

Edited September 16, 2006 by Brian

[Guest]

Signing Soriano would make up for the loss of power we have in the OF.

 

Soriano needs to play OF. CF preferably.

 

Why not have him play 2B?

 

because he can't play 2b.

[soccer10k]

Signing Soriano would make up for the loss of power we have in the OF.

 

Soriano needs to play OF. CF preferably.

 

Why not have him play 2B?

 

because he can't play 2b.

 

His offensive production would look much better at 2B than in the OF.

[Guest]

Signing Soriano would make up for the loss of power we have in the OF.

 

Soriano needs to play OF. CF preferably.

 

Why not have him play 2B?

 

because he can't play 2b.

 

His offensive production would look much better at 2B than in the OF.

 

his offensive production would be identical. his defense would be much better. I don't think you can have this discussion without knowing who is going to fill the other positions. I advocate CF because he would be an asset there. his offense is good anywhere though and there are several decent options for 2b out there.

[RockTheIvy]

Signing Soriano would make up for the loss of power we have in the OF.

 

Soriano needs to play OF. CF preferably.

 

Why not have him play 2B?

 

because he can't play 2b.

 

His offensive production would look much better at 2B than in the OF.

 

Slugging .600 looks awesome anywhere.

[soccer10k]

Signing Soriano would make up for the loss of power we have in the OF.

 

Soriano needs to play OF. CF preferably.

 

Why not have him play 2B?

 

because he can't play 2b.

 

His offensive production would look much better at 2B than in the OF.

 

his offensive production would be identical. his defense would be much better. I don't think you can have this discussion without knowing who is going to fill the other positions. I advocate CF because he would be an asset there. his offense is good anywhere though and there are several decent options for 2b out there.

 

Obviously his offensive production would be identical. But his line for a 2B would look much better than a line for the OF. LF is more of a traditional power spot and a team is expected to have a good hitter there. 2B is different and isn't viewed as a power spot.

 

Let me put it this way, would you rather have Soriano at 2B and Murton in LF or Soriano in LF and Cedeno at 2B? Easy decision as far as I'm concerned.

[RockTheIvy]

My biggest question, if the Cubs were to sign Soriano, is what other moves would Jimbo make. Would he overpay for Pierre? Attempt to possibly trade for a power LFer? What pitchers would he sign? Which reliever will he overpay for this year (I'm calling Guillermo Mota, btw)?

 

Soriano would obviously be a huge help, but we would still have:

 

1) A weak ass outfield

2) An imitiation Neifi! at short

3) an atrocious bench

4) A limp-wristed pitching staff

 

Is this the year that Donuts addresses all of the team's needs?

[Guest]

my point soccer is that those options aren't the only ones available. Soriano's defense at 2b is so bad I don't want to see him there. If he could play CF that accomplishes the same purpose. What about Murton in RF, Soriano in LF and Durham at 2b? To me, Cedeno cannot be considered an option in an infield with Izturis at SS.

[NCCubFan]

My preference would be to have Soriano as an outfielder. However, if he insists on playing second as a condition of signing with the Cubs, I'd rather have that than not have him at all. Enough of the overemphasis on defense. As Harry would say, LET'S GET SOME RUNS!

[Backtobanks]

my point soccer is that those options aren't the only ones available. Soriano's defense at 2b is so bad I don't want to see him there. If he could play CF that accomplishes the same purpose. What about Murton in RF, Soriano in LF and Durham at 2b? To me, Cedeno cannot be considered an option in an infield with Izturis at SS.

 

The more I see Cedeno, the more that I think he is playing himself out of a starting job. Cedeno could be added to some young pitchers to get someone like Tejada.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Based on the way Cedeno has played, I can't see why the Orioles would want him.

[CubsWin]

Cedeno hasn't played well this season, that is for sure. But it is important to keep in mind, he is still just 23 and has had three good offensive seasons in the minors. One really good one was just last season and another okay one was the year before that. He has failed to make the necessary adjustments this season despite being given plenty of opportunity by Dusty, (imagine that, Dusty gave plenty of playing time to a non-vet who was underperforming, hunh). It puts doubt in my mind as to whether he will ever make those adjustments, but I am far from willing to give up on him.

 

I think the very Eckstein-esque Ryan Theriot can provide a solid offensive and defensive 2B next season with Cedeno coming off the bench at both middle infield positions. In fact, Theriot's OBP has been so consistently good over the last three seasons, that IF Soriano can play CF effectively, I believe the best use of the Cubs money would be to sign him and put him in center and have Theriot lead off. If Soriano can't pull off CF, then I would try him in RF and see if Jones can play CF. Judging by the number of assists Soriano has this season, he certainly seems to have enough arm to play RF. And I would definitely sign a platoon partner for Jones no matter where he plays. Pie isn't too far away from taking over CF anyway and Murton is too good of a bat and too inexpensive to trade away. Clearly Matt is best suited defensively to play LF and doesn't have the arm or range that Soriano does. An infield of Izturis and Theriot would be solid defensively, and the line-up would be a vast improvement over the injury-riddled one this year though heavily right-handed.

 

Theriot

Murton

Lee

Ramirez

Soriano

Jones

Barrett

Izturis

 

Keeping Cedeno gives him some more time to put things together at the plate. He can be electric. We've seen that. If he can figure things out, the Cubs wouldn't have to resign Izturis which would be ideal.

[Balsa]

my point soccer is that those options aren't the only ones available. Soriano's defense at 2b is so bad I don't want to see him there. If he could play CF that accomplishes the same purpose. What about Murton in RF, Soriano in LF and Durham at 2b? To me, Cedeno cannot be considered an option in an infield with Izturis at SS.

You complain about defense and then suggest Murton in RF? Murton doesn't have the arm or good enough paths to the ball to play RF. Do you then put Jones in center? That would be extremely unlikely I think...

 

I'd rather have Soriano's somewhat shaky defense at second and compensate for it with Izturis's "run-scoring" defense.

[Backtobanks]

Cedeno hasn't played well this season, that is for sure. But it is important to keep in mind, he is still just 23 and has had three good offensive seasons in the minors. One really good one was just last season and another okay one was the year before that. He has failed to make the necessary adjustments this season despite being given plenty of opportunity by Dusty, (imagine that, Dusty gave plenty of playing time to a non-vet who was underperforming, hunh). It puts doubt in my mind as to whether he will ever make those adjustments, but I am far from willing to give up on him.

 

I think the very Eckstein-esque Ryan Theriot can provide a solid offensive and defensive 2B next season with Cedeno coming off the bench at both middle infield positions. In fact, Theriot's OBP has been so consistently good over the last three seasons, that IF Soriano can play CF effectively, I believe the best use of the Cubs money would be to sign him and put him in center and have Theriot lead off. If Soriano can't pull off CF, then I would try him in RF and see if Jones can play CF. Judging by the number of assists Soriano has this season, he certainly seems to have enough arm to play RF. And I would definitely sign a platoon partner for Jones no matter where he plays. Pie isn't too far away from taking over CF anyway and Murton is too good of a bat and too inexpensive to trade away. Clearly Matt is best suited defensively to play LF and doesn't have the arm or range that Soriano does. An infield of Izturis and Theriot would be solid defensively, and the line-up would be a vast improvement over the injury-riddled one this year though heavily right-handed.

 

Theriot

Murton

Lee

Ramirez

Soriano

Jones

Barrett

Izturis

 

Keeping Cedeno gives him some more time to put things together at the plate. He can be electric. We've seen that. If he can figure things out, the Cubs wouldn't have to resign Izturis which would be ideal.

 

What I'd really like to happen is for the Cubs to trade Izturis, but I think Hendry loves him. I'm rooting for Cedeno, but Theriot has played pretty well, there's lots of 2B available in the offseason, Patterson isn't too far away, and Cedeno is one of the few young position players that the Cubs have that might be of some value to another team.

[Guest]

my point soccer is that those options aren't the only ones available. Soriano's defense at 2b is so bad I don't want to see him there. If he could play CF that accomplishes the same purpose. What about Murton in RF, Soriano in LF and Durham at 2b? To me, Cedeno cannot be considered an option in an infield with Izturis at SS.

You complain about defense and then suggest Murton in RF? Murton doesn't have the arm or good enough paths to the ball to play RF. Do you then put Jones in center? That would be extremely unlikely I think...

 

I'd rather have Soriano's somewhat shaky defense at second and compensate for it with Izturis's "run-scoring" defense.

 

So how is Murton in RF worse than Murton in LF? I don't think the arm issue is going to be that significant and he isn't going to be as costly in RF as Soriano will be at 2b in my opinion. I think CF is easier to play than RF actually - as long as you have the speed to cover some ground.