Can someone fill me in on the starting outfield for 2007?

[wilk]

But before you even get to the bricks or backdrop the primary issue is the slice off the bat. Especially when Soriano was in left, he himself talked about his issues reading the ball of a lefty's bat. The hardest ball to read in center is going to be the linedrive right at him, and in judging its distance. Since Soriano has poor lateral speed and no vertical leap, his range in center will be an issue on these that his running speed can't always make up for. But in general, Soriano will have an easier time reading the ball off the bat in center than he would in a corner. Personally though, I think Jacque is our best centerfielder of the four.

 

what?? a guy that can steal 40 plus bases doesn't have a verticle leaping ability or lateral speed.

 

As a track coach that seems strange

 

But this isn't hypothetical theories of "a guy," this is Soriano. You wouldn't get any arguments from any baseball coaches or scouts over those Soriano comments. You don't need vertical leap or lateral speed to steal bases. These are issues, however, that have made his defense so bad in the past (especially middle infield).

[Rob]

What will happen?

 

LF - Floyd

CF - Soriano

RF - Jones

 

Murton getting in against lefties and the occassional spot start for Floyd or Jones (Floyd in right on those days).

 

Most productive usage for this season?

 

LF - Floyd/Murton platoon

CF - Soriano

RF - Jones/DeRosa platoon

 

Pie called up when ready, Soriano moves to RF, Jones dealt... DeRosa takes over SS because Eric Patterson is the 2nd baseman.

 

Most productive with an eye on the future?

 

LF - Murton

CF - Pie

RF - Soriano

 

Floyd gets AB's versus tough righties and is a big bat off the bench. Jones nets us a B- level pitching prospect, and DeRosa and Izturis fight to the death, each being slayed by the other at a simultaneous moment... violating the "fight to the death" clauses in their contracts and letting us get by with not paying the rest of their contracts. ARod feels bad for the city of Chicago and demands a trade post-haste.