Cubs sign Soriano

[Rob]

ESPN reporting it now too.

[Abe Frohman]

Why do you guys want him to bat lead off with such a low OBP?

The belief is that he's better batting leadoff. We'll see. I like him 5th behind Lee and Ramirez, with Murt hitting 2nd and hopefully Julio Lugo batting 1st at SS (SB Tribune reported today that the Cubs are hot for Lugo).

 

With you there. Soriano is no lead off hitter.

[Soriano12]

You know, some people will never be happy. If we go through the offseason and lose Soriano and Drew to other teams people would have whined and moaned about how Hendry never gets the top tier free agents. Now for once the guy went out shopping against half the teams in the majors who want this guy and finally gets the guy. So everyone whines and moans about how its to much for to long. Well sorry people but you cant have it both ways, this was probably the only way we were going to get Soriano. Hendry's rear end is over the fire and he's going all out ti try to win before he loses his job. Im not angry at the guy for finally being determined to get his target. Am I happy about an 8 year contract? No. Thats the only way we were going to get this bat into our lineup though so for that Im grateful. 4 years down the road Im sure we'll all be mad about how Soriano's contract is eating away at our budget. For now though I'll relish that we actually got the big name free agent and I'll enjoy his production in the lineup for as long as it last.

Co-sign. Too many people expect Hendry to sign people like Soriano to 4 year deals, and trade crap like Roberto Novoa for something worthwhile.

 

Co-sign -DCF

[Jon]

Why do you guys want him to bat lead off with such a low OBP?

The belief is that he's better batting leadoff. We'll see. I like him 5th behind Lee and Ramirez, with Murt hitting 2nd and hopefully Julio Lugo batting 1st at SS (SB Tribune reported today that the Cubs are hot for Lugo).

I'd be utterly shocked if he doesn't bat leadoff.

 

Happy, though. Quite happy.

[Butterscup1679666578]

Finally, the Cubs are showing signs of wanting to win! I do not believe this is the last signing of the off-season either. Good for Hendry, good for the Cubs and I will stay in the minority that I am happy regardless of the money and years!

 

GO CUBS!

 

I'm with you.

 

Oh no...I'm agreeing with a Packer fan ;)

[CuseCubFan69]

I just hope this doesn't stop them from getting that impact starter they need. How much money is left for 2007?

[Rob]

OH. MY. GOD.

 

 

Sweet.

 

You'll have plenty of time to revel in this over the next eight freaking years... would you mind giving us a few minutes to gripe amongst ourselves in peace?

[CheeseHead Cubs Fan]

Finally, the Cubs are showing signs of wanting to win! I do not believe this is the last signing of the off-season either. Good for Hendry, good for the Cubs and I will stay in the minority that I am happy regardless of the money and years!

 

GO CUBS!

 

I'm with you.

 

Oh no...I'm agreeing with a Packer fan ;)

 

Don't worry about it, it's ok...I am normal :)

[Roast]

Roasts thoughts:

 

-I am pleased. I love the fact that Hendry grew a pair and went out and finally paid for a big name FA for the first time in forever (or, ever).

-8 years? WTH?

[Transmogrified Tiger]

You know, some people will never be happy. If we go through the offseason and lose Soriano and Drew to other teams people would have whined and moaned about how Hendry never gets the top tier free agents. Now for once the guy went out shopping against half the teams in the majors who want this guy and finally gets the guy. So everyone whines and moans about how its to much for to long. Well sorry people but you cant have it both ways, this was probably the only way we were going to get Soriano. Hendry's rear end is over the fire and he's going all out ti try to win before he loses his job. Im not angry at the guy for finally being determined to get his target. Am I happy about an 8 year contract? No. Thats the only way we were going to get this bat into our lineup though so for that Im grateful. 4 years down the road Im sure we'll all be mad about how Soriano's contract is eating away at our budget. For now though I'll relish that we actually got the big name free agent and I'll enjoy his production in the lineup for as long as it last.

Co-sign. Too many people expect Hendry to sign people like Soriano to 4 year deals, and trade crap like Roberto Novoa for something worthwhile.

 

Would you be happy with signing Michael Barrett to a 7/100 extension? Of course not, because that would be a heinous overpayment to someone who is a good, but not spectacular offensive player and a below average defender. Soriano is the exact same thing, except we gave him the contract.

[WrigleyField 22]

Well I certianly don't like 8 years, but we'll wait to see what kind of options might exist. I can only hope it is frontloaded a bit and he produces for the next few years. If he is productive for three years and helps us win a World Series, I'll forgive the next five.

[Butterscup1679666578]

Why do you guys want him to bat lead off with such a low OBP?

The belief is that he's better batting leadoff. We'll see. I like him 5th behind Lee and Ramirez, with Murt hitting 2nd and hopefully Julio Lugo batting 1st at SS (SB Tribune reported today that the Cubs are hot for Lugo).

 

If we can land Lugo for SS and move Izturis out of here (or at least keep him on the bench) and lead Lugo off, this is a very good offense.

[Rob]

I just hope this doesn't stop them from getting that impact starter they need. How much money is left for 2007?

 

I just hope this doesn't keep us from getting an actual impact bat.

[ChiCubsFan]

OK, so we overpaid and signed him for too many years. That I am definitely against.

 

However, Soriano IS a good player and will help a lot next year provided he is used the right way (e.g. not batting leadoff).

 

He's probably not going to be worth it during years 5-8, (or maybe earlier) but at the very least, he's going to help us win now. (I hope)

 

Hopefully we can sign Drew or Manny and really bolster the offense.

[MikeyLikesCubbies]

I feel sick. There are way too many holes on this team to spend that kind of money on one guy. Its not like he's going to make this a playoff team.

[CuseCubFan69]

OH. MY. GOD.

 

 

Sweet.

 

You'll have plenty of time to revel in this over the next eight freaking years... would you mind giving us a few minutes to gripe amongst ourselves in peace?

 

That's funny. Thanks for the chuckle!

[CardsFanInChiTown]

The big question right now is his ability to play CF.

[nilodnayr]

I could care less if he sucks at 38 still with this team, the fact is that for once Hendry's going after the big fish with guns blazing.

I'm much more worried about his sucking at the age of 31 relative to that deal.

Maybe he will.

 

But on the other hand, maybe this is a sign that he's learned his lesson relative to guys that seem to have an injury bug following them around re: JD Drew.

 

Soriano and Drew were the two guys that gave us the best chance to win now, and getting one of them would be a great accomplishment.

 

So you are ignoring Sori's 2004 and 2005 seasons, yet harping on Drew's injuries from 4+ years ago? If Sori does not reproduce his 06 season then he isn't going to give us the best chance to win now, definitely not as good as if Drew reproduces his 2006, 2005, 2004, etc.

Drew played 72 games in 2005. These issues aren't miles in the past.

 

I'm not saying I'd rather have Soriano than Drew, but I'm psyched that we managed to get one of them.

If Cal Ripken Jr. got hit on the hand by a pitch and broke a bone he would miss time too.

[Master Shake]

Is it official yet, or is this just "I know a guy who knows a guy who said..." type situation? I have not heard an official announcement.

[CuseCubFan69]

I just hope this doesn't stop them from getting that impact starter they need. How much money is left for 2007?

 

I just hope this doesn't keep us from getting an actual impact bat.

 

Mr. Hendry still loves the toolsy dudes. He's Buffalo Bill, he covets what he knows.

[Butterscup1679666578]

Is it official yet, or is this just "I know a guy who knows a guy who said..." type situation? I have not heard an official announcement.

 

ESPN.com reports agreement.

[Roast]

8 Years, 136 Million

 

Yikes. I cant lie, I'm happy. I'm really pumped that Hendry showed that he was committed to signing a big name for once.

[Andy]

Is it official yet, or is this just "I know a guy who knows a guy who said..." type situation? I have not heard an official announcement.

ESPN Radio has reported it, as have Fox Sports, Yahoo! Sports and ESPNEWS.

[Rob]

I just hope this doesn't stop them from getting that impact starter they need. How much money is left for 2007?

 

I just hope this doesn't keep us from getting an actual impact bat.

 

Mr. Hendry still loves the toolsy dudes. He's Buffalo Bill, he covets what he knows.

 

That's the second time I've seen you use the Buffalo Bill comment. Are you trying to get somebody to make a sig pic for you? :lol:

 

"It puts the lotion on its skin, or else it gets the hose again!

[WrigleyField 22]

Is it official yet, or is this just "I know a guy who knows a guy who said..." type situation? I have not heard an official announcement.

 

We have it from at least 3 sources so far (FoxSports, ESPN, and another)... but nothing official. I figure nothing official (from MLB or Cubs) ould be heard until tomorrow.