Soriano or Jones in CF?

[CuseCubFan69]

I remember Tims idea a while back about moving Jones to CF. The Cubs may do so if they can't move him. What I'm wondering is would the Cubs be better with Jones in CF and Soriano in right or Soriano in RF and a Lofton type guy in CF or Soriano in CF and another big banger in RF? With that last question I have to wonder who would put up better numbers than Jones that would be worth it? I think either Jones or Soriano in CF would be above average but would either of those two guys be better than average in right?

[Ding Dong Johnson]

I'm guessing Jones and his bum shoulder will be in CF, Soriano has a good enough arm for RF.

[CuseCubFan69]

I'm guessing Jones and his bum shoulder will be in CF, Soriano has a good enough arm for RF.

 

I agree but is that enough production? It may be but IMO Jones could be moved for a pitcher and the Cubs could sign a Roberts or Lofton. The problem with Roberts is that he would be in Pies way if it was a long term contract.

[CardsFanInChiTown]

I found this on hardballtimes.com.

 

However, the persistence of the same number—a difference of 2.5 to 3% of plays made relative to positional average—indicates that we can make educated guesses. We don't have Range data for 2006 yet, but using PMR as a proxy, Soriano was seven plays above average in left. If he switches, we can expect a respectable but below average -8 from him, a bit worse than Torii Hunter's '06 performance.

 

Link

 

 

The whole article discusses position shifts in the OF.

[Danny82]

I'm guessing Jones and his bum shoulder will be in CF, Soriano has a good enough arm for RF.

 

I agree but is that enough production? It may be but IMO Jones could be moved for a pitcher and the Cubs could sign a Roberts or Lofton. The problem with Roberts is that he would be in Pies way if it was a long term contract.

 

If Jones can pull off playing a decent defensive center field, he is (rather easily) a better offensive option than Roberts or Lofton.

[CuseCubFan69]

I found this on hardballtimes.com.

 

However, the persistence of the same number—a difference of 2.5 to 3% of plays made relative to positional average—indicates that we can make educated guesses. We don't have Range data for 2006 yet, but using PMR as a proxy, Soriano was seven plays above average in left. If he switches, we can expect a respectable but below average -8 from him, a bit worse than Torii Hunter's '06 performance.

 

Link

 

 

The whole article discusses position shifts in the OF.

 

Interesting, that's the thing I was wondering about.

[CuseCubFan69]

I'm guessing Jones and his bum shoulder will be in CF, Soriano has a good enough arm for RF.

 

I agree but is that enough production? It may be but IMO Jones could be moved for a pitcher and the Cubs could sign a Roberts or Lofton. The problem with Roberts is that he would be in Pies way if it was a long term contract.

 

If Jones can pull off playing a decent defensive center field, he is (rather easily) a better offensive option than Roberts or Lofton.

 

I agree but would Jones be worth more if he brought a good pitcher in a trade and a Roberts in CF? For example Jones and Marshall or Roberts and a decent 3 starter?

[Soriano12]

Felix Pie

[sporrer17]

Felix Pie

 

If we can get a decent hitter for SS (Lugo) then I see no problem with letting Pie play CF and hit 8th...he's a great fielder.

[rocket]

Felix Pie

 

If we can get a decent hitter for SS (Lugo) then I see no problem with letting Pie play CF and hit 8th...he's a great fielder.

 

Why not let Jones play in CF and get Lugo anyways for SS? Pie is interesting but he probably wouldn't outproduce Jones next year, if we truly are going for a World Series championship.

[sporrer17]

Felix Pie

 

If we can get a decent hitter for SS (Lugo) then I see no problem with letting Pie play CF and hit 8th...he's a great fielder.

 

Why not let Jones play in CF and get Lugo anyways for SS? Pie is interesting but he probably wouldn't outproduce Jones next year, if we truly are going for a World Series championship.

 

I have no problem with Jones in CF either. I'm just saying I don't think with the way our lineup is now that we will let Pie play. I'd love an OF of Murton-Jones-Soriano...it'll be one of the more productive ones in the NL, and not a bad price either (Murton is cheap, Jones is a bargain)

[RichHillIsABeast]

I found this on hardballtimes.com.

 

However, the persistence of the same number—a difference of 2.5 to 3% of plays made relative to positional average—indicates that we can make educated guesses. We don't have Range data for 2006 yet, but using PMR as a proxy, Soriano was seven plays above average in left. If he switches, we can expect a respectable but below average -8 from him, a bit worse than Torii Hunter's '06 performance.

 

Link

 

 

The whole article discusses position shifts in the OF.

 

Interesting, that's the thing I was wondering about.

 

That's using data for the whole year. Soriano improved by leaps and bounds in LF this year. I'd put that projection on the low side of what he's capable of defensively, in LF or CF.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

I think I said this in another thread, but here goes anyway...

 

Jones >> Lugo >>>> Izturis

 

Lugo should only be an option for SS. There's no way he should be considered for CF over Jones.

 

Now, back to Cuse's question. I guess it depends on the starter in question. Jones + Lilly is a much more handsome combination that Roberts (or Lofton) + Westbrook, in my humble opinion. I think Jones is that much of an upgrade over the other CF options left, sans Drew, to make up for any improvement that some of the SP options that may be available in a trade that Jones would be part of (if that makes any sense).

[AllStarMe]

I'd like to see Soriano in RF, and Jones in CF to begin the year. If Felix Pie is tearing up AAA then we can bring him up and move Jones to try and fill in our midseason needs.

 

The only problem with that is that Jones' trade value is at its highest this offseason, and if he starts out no-so-hot then his stock will plummet.

 

I say keep him unless a deal can be made for a difference maker. He's a much better option than any FAs (especially Lugo, and no counting Drew).