Soriano as a 2B

[wilk]

It's my opinion that the opinion that Soriano could/should be signed for 2B is nearly loony. For one, it's known that Hendry had prior interest in Soriano under the condition that he move from 2B to the outfield. Now that Soriano has finally made the move that teams have been pushing for for several years -- and become comfortable and content with it -- many people on this board seem to think he's going to be asked to move back to 2B. I can't think of a team who would do so and every report of interest in Soriano has rested solely in the outfield. You could take any power outfielder and make him one of the most productive offensive 2B while being the worst, or one of the worst, defensive 2B but the question is why? He's significantly better defensively in the outfield and, related or not, it's been the best offensive year of his career. Furthermore Hendry has shown to value infield defense even more than most - evident from a desire to trade Walker for defense, the acquistion of Izturis as "one of the best shortstops," and at least playing the concept that Izturis/Cedeno would make a healthy infield. What is there to suggest that Soriano playing 2B for the Cubs is remotely realistic?

[Yestheydo]

Well, with an outfield of Lee, Wells, and Sheffield, we'll have nowhere else to put Soriano. THINK McFLY

[rawaction]

The reason why people want Soriano to play 2B is because that's the best fit on this team. Soriano has only ever played 2 positions in the majors (minor league SS, but that ain't happenin'), 2B and LF. The Cubs have Matt Murton in LF. The Cubs have Cedeno/Theriot at 2B. Soriano would be an upgrade to both, but would be much more of an upgrade at 2B with Murton also in the lineup.

 

Soriano also has the distinction of being the player most easily acquired to make the Cubs better while not completely throwing someone out of position. Carlos Lee could be had but then you put he or Murton in RF with Jones moving to CF. That's below average defense at all 3 OF spots. Players like Wells and Andruw Jones would be great, but are harder to acquire.

 

Operating under the assumption that Soriano can't play CF, the best place for him to play and help the Cubs is 2B.

[CubinNY]

The reason why people want Soriano to play 2B is because that's the best fit on this team. Soriano has only ever played 2 positions in the majors (minor league SS, but that ain't happenin'), 2B and LF. The Cubs have Matt Murton in LF. The Cubs have Cedeno/Theriot at 2B. Soriano would be an upgrade to both, but would be much more of an upgrade at 2B with Murton also in the lineup.

 

Soriano also has the distinction of being the player most easily acquired to make the Cubs better while not completely throwing someone out of position. Carlos Lee could be had but then you put he or Murton in RF with Jones moving to CF. That's below average defense at all 3 OF spots. Players like Wells and Andruw Jones would be great, but are harder to acquire.

 

Operating under the assumption that Soriano can't play CF, the best place for him to play and help the Cubs is 2B.

 

Well written. He wants to play 2nd his defense isn't that bad. The only thing I really worry about is his age in relation to his contract demands.

 

A 35 year old Soriano making 10 mill isn't that appealing.

[rawaction]

 

Well written. He wants to play 2nd his defense isn't that bad. The only thing I really worry about is his age in relation to his contract demands.

 

A 35 year old Soriano making 10 mill isn't that appealing.

 

His defense is pretty bad. He was pretty comfortably the worst defensive 2B in baseball his last 2 years there. Still, his offense is enough to overcome that pretty easily.

[RichHillIsABeast]

Operating under the assumption that Soriano can't play CF, the best place for him to play and help the Cubs is 2B.

 

His 20+ errors are going to be a big help with a rotation that issues walks to anyone with a pulse.

 

The only problem with Soriano in LF is it displaces Murton, which sucks. I'd rather trade Jones and stick Murton in RF. At least he doesn't spike throws into the grass instead of hitting the cutoff man.

[rawaction]

Operating under the assumption that Soriano can't play CF, the best place for him to play and help the Cubs is 2B.

 

His 20+ errors are going to be a big help with a rotation that issues walks to anyone with a pulse.

 

The only problem with Soriano in LF is it displaces Murton, which sucks. I'd rather trade Jones and stick Murton in RF. At least he doesn't spike throws into the grass instead of hitting the cutoff man.

 

Obviously most people would. How likely do you think it is that the Cubs trade Jones though? Realistically, Soriano straight up replaces Murton in LF. End result, the Cubs 2007 team has more power, gets on base less, and scores enough runs to be around average instead of horrible.

[Guest]

Operating under the assumption that Soriano can't play CF, the best place for him to play and help the Cubs is 2B.

 

His 20+ errors are going to be a big help with a rotation that issues walks to anyone with a pulse.

 

The only problem with Soriano in LF is it displaces Murton, which sucks. I'd rather trade Jones and stick Murton in RF. At least he doesn't spike throws into the grass instead of hitting the cutoff man.

 

Obviously most people would. How likely do you think it is that the Cubs trade Jones though? Realistically, Soriano straight up replaces Murton in LF. End result, the Cubs 2007 team has more power, gets on base less, and scores enough runs to be around average instead of horrible.

 

gets on base less? I'm not sure that's true. Murton's .055 ISOD is less than impressive.

[Jazz]

Honestly, I wish murton could play 2B. His bat is perfect for the position, and would be one of the best in the league. At the corner OF spot though hes just above average.

[VVMattVV]

Operating under the assumption that Soriano can't play CF, the best place for him to play and help the Cubs is 2B.

 

His 20+ errors are going to be a big help with a rotation that issues walks to anyone with a pulse.

 

The only problem with Soriano in LF is it displaces Murton, which sucks. I'd rather trade Jones and stick Murton in RF. At least he doesn't spike throws into the grass instead of hitting the cutoff man.

 

Obviously most people would. How likely do you think it is that the Cubs trade Jones though? Realistically, Soriano straight up replaces Murton in LF. End result, the Cubs 2007 team has more power, gets on base less, and scores enough runs to be around average instead of horrible.

 

gets on base less? I'm not sure that's true. Murton's .055 ISOD is less than impressive.

 

Murton is at .297/.362, putting his IsoD at .065.

[Guest]

Operating under the assumption that Soriano can't play CF, the best place for him to play and help the Cubs is 2B.

 

His 20+ errors are going to be a big help with a rotation that issues walks to anyone with a pulse.

 

The only problem with Soriano in LF is it displaces Murton, which sucks. I'd rather trade Jones and stick Murton in RF. At least he doesn't spike throws into the grass instead of hitting the cutoff man.

 

Obviously most people would. How likely do you think it is that the Cubs trade Jones though? Realistically, Soriano straight up replaces Murton in LF. End result, the Cubs 2007 team has more power, gets on base less, and scores enough runs to be around average instead of horrible.

 

gets on base less? I'm not sure that's true. Murton's .055 ISOD is less than impressive.

 

Murton is at .297/.362, putting his IsoD at .065.

 

simple math eludes me - still not impressed.

[A New Era]

Honestly, I wish murton could play 2B. His bat is perfect for the position, and would be one of the best in the league. At the corner OF spot though hes just above average.

 

Give me a team with a few waaay above average guys, a couple above average guys, and a few at just average offensively any day!

 

Oh wait! That's what the '07 Cubs could be!

[Guest]

It's his first full season, cut him a bit of slack.

[A New Era]

It's his first full season, cut him a bit of slack.

 

That's what I was gonna say. You don't have several past seasons to judge whether Murton will improve or regress. But you do for Soriano. And it shows he will regress.

 

You do not replace Murton with Soriano. It's ludicrous. You replace someone like Pierre, or Ronny, or Theroit with Soriano.

[Guest]

It's his first full season, cut him a bit of slack.

 

regardless, there isn't a whole lot of reason to believe murton will be on base significantly more than soriano.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

It's his first full season, cut him a bit of slack.

 

regardless, there isn't a whole lot of reason to believe murton will be on base significantly more than soriano.

 

What about Soriano's career .325 OBP? Or that this is the first year of his career with a .340+ OBP?

[Guest]

It's his first full season, cut him a bit of slack.

 

regardless, there isn't a whole lot of reason to believe murton will be on base significantly more than soriano.

 

What about Soriano's career .325 OBP? Or that this is the first year of his career with a .340+ OBP?

 

and? how are you so sure murton will best .325 next year? or Soriano will regress?

[Transmogrified Tiger]

It's his first full season, cut him a bit of slack.

 

regardless, there isn't a whole lot of reason to believe murton will be on base significantly more than soriano.

 

What about Soriano's career .325 OBP? Or that this is the first year of his career with a .340+ OBP?

 

and? how are you so sure murton will best .325 next year? or Soriano will regress?

 

We were talking about probability, right? IMO the odds that Murton puts up a, say, .340 or better OBP are higher than Soriano's.

[Guest]

It's his first full season, cut him a bit of slack.

 

regardless, there isn't a whole lot of reason to believe murton will be on base significantly more than soriano.

 

What about Soriano's career .325 OBP? Or that this is the first year of his career with a .340+ OBP?

 

and? how are you so sure murton will best .325 next year? or Soriano will regress?

 

We were talking about probability, right? IMO the odds that Murton puts up a, say, .340 or better OBP are higher than Soriano's.

 

 

that's your opinion, not probability. to make a statement that soriano will be on base less is not really based on fact.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

It's his first full season, cut him a bit of slack.

 

regardless, there isn't a whole lot of reason to believe murton will be on base significantly more than soriano.

 

What about Soriano's career .325 OBP? Or that this is the first year of his career with a .340+ OBP?

 

and? how are you so sure murton will best .325 next year? or Soriano will regress?

 

We were talking about probability, right? IMO the odds that Murton puts up a, say, .340 or better OBP are higher than Soriano's.

 

 

that's your opinion, not probability. to make a statement that soriano will be on base less is not really based on fact.

 

That's why I cited Soriano's career. The guy's put up a .340 OBP once(and only once during his minor league career when he was a 23 year old at AA), and the only time Murton has ever been below a .340 OBP was his 80 Daytona AB's. Even if you account for Murton's BABIP being high this year he's still supposed to be around .340+, and he's got age on his side(with regards to having room for improvement).

[NCCubFan]

Well, with an outfield of Lee, Wells, and Sheffield, we'll have nowhere else to put Soriano. THINK McFLY

Hello, anyone home? Think, McFly, THINK!

[Jehrico]

Operating under the assumption that Soriano can't play CF, the best place for him to play and help the Cubs is 2B.

 

His 20+ errors are going to be a big help with a rotation that issues walks to anyone with a pulse.

 

The only problem with Soriano in LF is it displaces Murton, which sucks. I'd rather trade Jones and stick Murton in RF. At least he doesn't spike throws into the grass instead of hitting the cutoff man.

 

Obviously most people would. How likely do you think it is that the Cubs trade Jones though? Realistically, Soriano straight up replaces Murton in LF. End result, the Cubs 2007 team has more power, gets on base less, and scores enough runs to be around average instead of horrible.

 

gets on base less? I'm not sure that's true. Murton's .055 ISOD is less than impressive.

 

Murton is at .297/.362, putting his IsoD at .065.

 

simple math eludes me - still not impressed.

Murton is a safe bet to get on base at a .350 clip. Soriano has the potential to fall around .300. Murton is 24 and still rising towards his prime with his best years in front of him. Soriano is 30, likely wiyh only a couple of good seasons left that could justify putting him out ther instead of Murton. Theres really no reason to expect us to compete for the WS next year, so we trade a young improving guy like Murton for 1-2 more productive years of an overpriced Soriano who is no safe bet to even come close to repeating his performance?

[soccer10k]

It's his first full season, cut him a bit of slack.

 

regardless, there isn't a whole lot of reason to believe murton will be on base significantly more than soriano.

 

What about Soriano's career .325 OBP? Or that this is the first year of his career with a .340+ OBP?

 

and? how are you so sure murton will best .325 next year? or Soriano will regress?

 

We were talking about probability, right? IMO the odds that Murton puts up a, say, .340 or better OBP are higher than Soriano's.

 

 

that's your opinion, not probability. to make a statement that soriano will be on base less is not really based on fact.

 

That's why I cited Soriano's career. The guy's put up a .340 OBP once(and only once during his minor league career when he was a 23 year old at AA), and the only time Murton has ever been below a .340 OBP was his 80 Daytona AB's. Even if you account for Murton's BABIP being high this year he's still supposed to be around .340+, and he's got age on his side(with regards to having room for improvement).

 

For that matter, in his minor league career, he only put up an OBP below .370 just once (in the year you cited) and has a career MLB OBP of .368 in basically a full seasons worth of AB's.

[soapy]

Honestly, I wish murton could play 2B.

Or CF