Cubs sign Soriano

[soccer10k]

wow...i came around on soriano after his improved walk rate of '06. if he keeps that up, i think he'll be all right. his power could go up in the power-friendly NL central.

 

8 years on the other hand? ouch. that's gonna be a noose around the cubs' neck when he's 39.

 

also...could have had a much, much, much better player in beltran at 7/120 two years ago. ouch and ouch.

 

Further, wasn't there some suspicion years ago that Soriano's age was mitigated by Dominican math?

Yes there was, his age went from 24 to 26 a few years back if I remember correctly.

 

Furcal had that same problem.

[YearofDaCubs]

So do we know if Aram's signing counts as a type A signing?

[WrigleyField 22]

this makes me think...

 

dusty was a laid back guy, and hendry was pretty laid back when he was manager.

 

lou is a very agressive man, and hendry is now being super, maybe too agressive.

 

is he really anything other than an extension of the manager, why have a gm at all?

 

I think it's more the departure of MacPhail. His conservative attitude towards moves really hamstrung Hendry.

 

Hendry is a madman. Unleash the fury, Mitch! UNLEASH THE FURY!!!

 

The answer is all in the Krispy Kreme...

 

One year ago Krispy Kreme's stock was at a pathetic $4.78. Currently it stands at $12.11. When Krispy Kreme is doing better you can pretty much mark half of that increase to Jim simply eating more donuts. Now thats a lot of donuts, so a lot more sugar and thus tons of energy. Signing FAs is just his outlet for all that extra energy.

[abuck1220]

If they're looking at him for the corner outfield, they would have been better off giving a ridiculous contract to Carlos Lee.

 

that's a good point. i think i'd rather give lee 5/75 than soriano 8/135.

 

Really?

 

Lee 5 years from now will be less mobile than that damn mound in Houston in the outfield.

 

he gets around pretty well for a guy his size. and i'd rather have 1 1/2 bad years or so from lee than 2-3 possible bad years from soriano.

[Electron Blue]

Bruce,

 

Any talk of Manny at Cubs HQ?

 

I don't mean to rag on Hendry's harsher critics (especially prematurely), but wouldn't just about everyone forgive him -- of just about everything -- if he finished the offseason by:

 

* Landing Manny

 

* Adding one solid SP and one above-avg SP

 

That's quite the impactful offseason, and a lot of strategic maneuvering.

[Shilzzz]

So do we know if Aram's signing counts as a type A signing?

 

yeah, that's probably one of the more important things in this discussion.

[NorthsideAvenger]

Chalk me down in the "love the signing, hate the contract" group. Now it's not secret I wanting Drew, because I felt the Cubs had no shot at Soriano, I do think he is slightly turning the corner on plate discipline. Now, considering he is coming to Wirgley Field, and presumably a BETTER lineup then what Washington trotted out there, I could see him maintain a .280/.340/.520/.940 line for at least 4 yrs. And if Kaplan is correct on it actually being a 5 yr $90 mill with 3 yrs worth of options, then this signing is a huge signing for the Cubs.

 

But, Soriano by himself is not going to turn the Cubs around. The Cubs still need to address the bench (Blanco/Theriot/Izzy or Cedeno, is abit week) and add into a couple of pitchers. If the Cubs can do that, I could see them passing the Cards 83 wins, by early August. And with a little luck, maybe the Cards will miss the playoffs next yr, like the White Sox did this yr.

[rocket]

this makes me think...

 

dusty was a laid back guy, and hendry was pretty laid back when he was manager.

 

lou is a very agressive man, and hendry is now being super, maybe too agressive.

 

is he really anything other than an extension of the manager, why have a gm at all?

 

I think it's more the departure of MacPhail. His conservative attitude towards moves really hamstrung Hendry.

 

Hendry is a madman. Unleash the fury, Mitch! UNLEASH THE FURY!!!

 

The answer is all in the Krispy Kreme...

 

One year ago Krispy Kreme's stock was at a pathetic $4.78. Currently it stands at $12.11. When Krispy Kreme is doing better you can pretty much mark half of that increase to Jim simply eating more donuts. Now thats a lot of donuts, so a lot more sugar and thus tons of energy. Signing FAs is just his outlet for all that extra energy.

 

donut jokes? still?

[WrigleyField 22]

Chalk me down in the "love the signing, hate the contract" group. Now it's not secret I wanting Drew, because I felt the Cubs had no shot at Soriano, I do think he is slightly turning the corner on plate discipline. Now, considering he is coming to Wirgley Field, and presumably a BETTER lineup then what Washington trotted out there, I could see him maintain a .280/.340/.520/.940 line for at least 4 yrs. And if Kaplan is correct on it actually being a 5 yr $90 mill with 3 yrs worth of options, then this signing is a huge signing for the Cubs.

 

But, Soriano by himself is not going to turn the Cubs around. The Cubs still need to address the bench (Blanco/Theriot/Izzy or Cedeno, is abit week) and add into a couple of pitchers. If the Cubs can do that, I could see them passing the Cards 83 wins, by early August. And with a little luck, maybe the Cards will miss the playoffs next yr, like the White Sox did this yr.

 

Where did that extra .80 pts of OPS come from?

[b_wiggy_66]

Bruce, anyword as to what is next on his agenda? I assume pitching and will he look for one via trade and another as a FA?

[Pinktermite]

the donut jokes will NEVER die will they?

[Mizzou]

This is outstanding news.

[questionmarkgrace]

so after Soriano how much payroll is left assuming it goes up to 120 mil? I lost track after all the signings this week.

[WrigleyField 22]

this makes me think...

 

dusty was a laid back guy, and hendry was pretty laid back when he was manager.

 

lou is a very agressive man, and hendry is now being super, maybe too agressive.

 

is he really anything other than an extension of the manager, why have a gm at all?

 

I think it's more the departure of MacPhail. His conservative attitude towards moves really hamstrung Hendry.

 

Hendry is a madman. Unleash the fury, Mitch! UNLEASH THE FURY!!!

 

The answer is all in the Krispy Kreme...

 

One year ago Krispy Kreme's stock was at a pathetic $4.78. Currently it stands at $12.11. When Krispy Kreme is doing better you can pretty much mark half of that increase to Jim simply eating more donuts. Now thats a lot of donuts, so a lot more sugar and thus tons of energy. Signing FAs is just his outlet for all that extra energy.

 

donut jokes? still?

 

Actually I think this is the first time I personally have ever used a donut joke. Yea generally I don't like them, but thats cuz most of the time they just consist of "Hendry is fat and likes donuts. He spends so much time eating donuts he can't do anything else" It was really more of an attempt at making fun of those people who use the donut jokes to bash him.

 

 

I'm just not funny.. meh

Edited November 19, 2006 by WrigleyField 22

[USSoccer]

If it's 6/$95m with 2 option years, that's a much better looking signing.

[crowes74]

i cant believe my eyes. let it be so, please.

 

 

now we need some arms to go w/ the bats!

[Outshined_One]

so after Soriano how much payroll is left assuming it goes up to 120 mil? I lost track after all the signings this week.

 

I think we have $20m left to spend.

[Brian]

so after Soriano how much payroll is left assuming it goes up to 120 mil? I lost track after all the signings this week.

 

I think we have $20m left to spend.

 

schmidt please.

[Shilzzz]

so after Soriano how much payroll is left assuming it goes up to 120 mil? I lost track after all the signings this week.

 

it has to already be close to that, and kaplan as well as others are saying he is still not done by far...

 

whatever that means.

[mlarner]

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/index.jsp?c_id=chc

 

Cubs.com quoting other sources and saying 8 year, $135 million.

[Chocolate Milk]

If it's 6/$95m with 2 option years, that's a much better looking signing.

 

QFT

[back2backjax]

no way soriano plays RF. he's here for CF or LF.

[jjgman21]

Our very own Mr. Miles is reporting that Soriano will play RF, with Jacque possibly moving to CF.

 

no, please be wrong. soriano is a lot more valuable in center than right.

 

who the hell cares? it's the same exact players. what does 'value at his position' mean in that case? do you just want the best sabr stats for purely aesthetic reasons?

 

if Jock in center and Soriano in right is the best defense, that's the way it sould be.

 

because if jones is traded is lessens the chance of jim acquiring a crappy hitting centerfielder (which there are plenty of) to play there. it's easier to find good production out of a corner outfield spot. if the outfield is guaranteed to be murton/jones/soriano this year, then i don't care. but for the future considerations i want soriano in center.

 

I think your original reaction was a bit over the top if that was your thinking on the matter. and if all that is your problem, then just put him at second.

 

plus, exactly 6 rightfielders had an OPS over 833 last year. the same exact number of centerfielders who had an OPS over 837 last year.

 

i'd actually prefer soriano at 2nd, but i think derosa is there for the long haul.

 

and was 2006 just a fluke down year for rf's? or is it more the norm?

 

it's the norm of late and I've been standing on my head trying to say it for the past three years everytime someone says "you can't compete with that in your corner outfield spots."

 

center, short, second and catchers are not all purely defensive players like they used to be. third and first are on par with left and right these days.

 

the 'gotta get rightfield production out of right field' is very old school thinking IMO.

[Butterscup1679666578]

no way soriano plays RF. he's here for CF or LF.

 

Bruce Miles challenges your statement.

[USSoccer]

no way soriano plays RF. he's here for CF or LF.

 

Bruce Miles challenges your statement.

 

And Mr. Miles probably has the best access to Hendry of all the beat guys.