Soriano for Zito

[apete6]

Let's do it. Then we could let Zito bat 1st because they probably have about the same OBP.

[JoshiQ]

Let's do it. Then we could let Zito bat 1st because they probably have about the same OBP.

 

 

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[UMFan83]

Actually that's not a horrible idea. I bet the Giants would at least consider this and the Cubs have enough money to withstand having a $18m long reliever.

[dew1679666265]

Actually that's not a horrible idea. I bet the Giants would at least consider this and the Cubs have enough money to withstand having a $18m long reliever.

 

Each player having full NTCs might be an issue.

 

We're also not saving any money. We're swapping one bad contract for an equally bad contract. I'd rather have Soriano through 2014 than Zito for the same time.

 

EDIT: Actually, we'd have Zito for one less season. He's got a vesting option for 2014 that I'm sure we could avoid. Even still, I'd rather have Soriano through 2014 than Zito through 2013 (and Zito is actually a bit more expensive in 2012 and 2013).

[SouthSideRyan]

This thread happened last year too.

[UMFan83]

Actually that's not a horrible idea. I bet the Giants would at least consider this and the Cubs have enough money to withstand having a $18m long reliever.

 

Each player having full NTCs might be an issue.

 

We're also not saving any money. We're swapping one bad contract for an equally bad contract. I'd rather have Soriano through 2014 than Zito for the same time.

 

EDIT: Actually, we'd have Zito for one less season. He's got a vesting option for 2014 that I'm sure we could avoid. Even still, I'd rather have Soriano through 2014 than Zito through 2013 (and Zito is actually a bit more expensive in 2012 and 2013).

 

The point is that trading Soriano means that we can upgrade the LF position, something we wouldn't be able to do for 5 years if we kept him. As it is right now, we are pretty much stuck with Soriano, Fukudome, Bradley as our OF for the next 2 seasons after this one. Even if Bradley gets better, having 2/3 of our OF absolutely suck is not going to help us be a contender. We can also rid ourselves of a .290 OBP leadoff hitter which is a big plus. We aren't going to save money trading Soriano. I guess it's possible that we can eat a lot of money and trade him to a team willing to pay him $5 mil a year, but even that's not likely due to the fact that it's pretty obvious that he'll be absolutely awful at the end of his contract. So that leaves us with the option of trading bad contract for bad contract. And who knows, Zito might be a decent bullpen option. Not likely but possible.

[dew1679666265]

The point is that trading Soriano means that we can upgrade the LF position, something we wouldn't be able to do for 5 years if we kept him. As it is right now, we are pretty much stuck with Soriano, Fukudome, Bradley as our OF for the next 2 seasons after this one. Even if Bradley gets better, having 2/3 of our OF absolutely suck is not going to help us be a contender. We can also rid ourselves of a .290 OBP leadoff hitter which is a big plus. We aren't going to save money trading Soriano. I guess it's possible that we can eat a lot of money and trade him to a team willing to pay him $5 mil a year, but even that's not likely due to the fact that it's pretty obvious that he'll be absolutely awful at the end of his contract. So that leaves us with the option of trading bad contract for bad contract. And who knows, Zito might be a decent bullpen option. Not likely but possible.

 

Upgrade it how? Maybe a Fox/Hoff platoon, but we can do that with Soriano on the roster.

 

Soriano has a chance throughout his contract to have some hot streaks here and there and be somewhat productive. Zito hasn't even been average since 2006.

 

We're not likely to be adding significant payroll even when Ricketts takes over, so swapping bad contract for bad contract won't allow us to upgrade with another decently paid player in LF. Whether we have Sori at this point or not, the only upgrade we can have in left are inexpensive players. So we might as well keep the player who might have some value - and that's more likely to be Soriano.

[UMFan83]

The point is that trading Soriano means that we can upgrade the LF position, something we wouldn't be able to do for 5 years if we kept him. As it is right now, we are pretty much stuck with Soriano, Fukudome, Bradley as our OF for the next 2 seasons after this one. Even if Bradley gets better, having 2/3 of our OF absolutely suck is not going to help us be a contender. We can also rid ourselves of a .290 OBP leadoff hitter which is a big plus. We aren't going to save money trading Soriano. I guess it's possible that we can eat a lot of money and trade him to a team willing to pay him $5 mil a year, but even that's not likely due to the fact that it's pretty obvious that he'll be absolutely awful at the end of his contract. So that leaves us with the option of trading bad contract for bad contract. And who knows, Zito might be a decent bullpen option. Not likely but possible.

 

Upgrade it how? Maybe a Fox/Hoff platoon, but we can do that with Soriano on the roster.

 

Soriano has a chance throughout his contract to have some hot streaks here and there and be somewhat productive. Zito hasn't even been average since 2006.

 

We're not likely to be adding significant payroll even when Ricketts takes over, so swapping bad contract for bad contract won't allow us to upgrade with another decently paid player in LF. Whether we have Sori at this point or not, the only upgrade we can have in left are inexpensive players. So we might as well keep the player who might have some value - and that's more likely to be Soriano.

 

You are thinking short term, I am thinking long term. Soriano's contract is going to burn us way beyond this year. While I am certain that he isn't as bad as he's been playing, he undoubtably will be a much worse player than he was in years 1 and 2 at the end of his contract. I say trade him if you can. Zito will make the same amount of money roughly but he will be taking a bullpen spot (in my mind) of which there are several, instead of the LF spot of which there is one. Ricketts might not have money now but 1-2 years from now when Fukudome and Bradley and Lees contracts come off the books, he will have money to play with.

[dew1679666265]

The point is that trading Soriano means that we can upgrade the LF position, something we wouldn't be able to do for 5 years if we kept him. As it is right now, we are pretty much stuck with Soriano, Fukudome, Bradley as our OF for the next 2 seasons after this one. Even if Bradley gets better, having 2/3 of our OF absolutely suck is not going to help us be a contender. We can also rid ourselves of a .290 OBP leadoff hitter which is a big plus. We aren't going to save money trading Soriano. I guess it's possible that we can eat a lot of money and trade him to a team willing to pay him $5 mil a year, but even that's not likely due to the fact that it's pretty obvious that he'll be absolutely awful at the end of his contract. So that leaves us with the option of trading bad contract for bad contract. And who knows, Zito might be a decent bullpen option. Not likely but possible.

 

Upgrade it how? Maybe a Fox/Hoff platoon, but we can do that with Soriano on the roster.

 

Soriano has a chance throughout his contract to have some hot streaks here and there and be somewhat productive. Zito hasn't even been average since 2006.

 

We're not likely to be adding significant payroll even when Ricketts takes over, so swapping bad contract for bad contract won't allow us to upgrade with another decently paid player in LF. Whether we have Sori at this point or not, the only upgrade we can have in left are inexpensive players. So we might as well keep the player who might have some value - and that's more likely to be Soriano.

 

You are thinking short term, I am thinking long term. Soriano's contract is going to burn us way beyond this year. While I am certain that he isn't as bad as he's been playing, he undoubtably will be a much worse player than he was in years 1 and 2 at the end of his contract. I say trade him if you can. Zito will make the same amount of money roughly but he will be taking a bullpen spot (in my mind) of which there are several, instead of the LF spot of which there is one. Ricketts might not have money now but 1-2 years from now when Fukudome and Bradley and Lees contracts come off the books, he will have money to play with.

 

Why can't we just sit Soriano on the bench if we have a better option? If we can move Zito (a starter) to the bullpen, surely we can move Soriano (a starter) to the bench and use him as a pinch hitter/spot starter/platoon partner/etc.

 

Long term Soriano has a better chance of being decent to good than Zito. Both can be moved to the bench or bullpen if needed, so go with the player who is more likely to be productive.

[UMFan83]

Because as weird as it sounds, I don't think the Cubs are going to pay someone $18 million to sit on the bench. They wouldn't mind seeing if Zito could be a halfway decent bullpen arm, something that hasn't been explored enough to make a conclusion in his past.

 

Look I'm not saying its a no brainer, but I am under the opinion that if you can get rid of Soriano's contract, you have to. It was a mistake from the start, but I knew I really wouldn't start complaining about it until his skills started to erode.

[dew1679666265]

Because as weird as it sounds, I don't think the Cubs are going to pay someone $18 million to sit on the bench. They wouldn't mind seeing if Zito could be a halfway decent bullpen arm, something that hasn't been explored enough to make a conclusion in his past.

 

Look I'm not saying its a no brainer, but I am under the opinion that if you can get rid of Soriano's contract, you have to. It was a mistake from the start, but I knew I really wouldn't start complaining about it until his skills started to erode.

 

You're not getting rid of the contract, though. You're just transferring a bad outfielder's contract to a terrible pitcher's contract. And honestly, I'd think it's unlikely the Cubs would send Zito to the pen before they'd send Soriano to the bench. Neither would happen immediately, but if both underperform long enough, I think both would be likely to find the bench/bullpen.

 

It wouldn't be a terrible trade. But I think Soriano is more likely to be productive for the next 5 years than Zito is. Thus, since we're not saving any money at all, I'd prefer the player I think will be more productive over the course of the contracts.

[DiamondMind]

This really isn't that bad of an idea.

[dew1679666265]

This really isn't that bad of an idea.

 

It's not a bad idea, I just don't think it improves us at all. And I think Soriano will be better than Zito over the next 5 years.

[Bixby]

Is there any hope at all that a team in the AL making a playoff push would take Soriano off our hands? Because I've officially given up on the guy.

[Backtobanks]

Is there any hope at all that a team in the AL making a playoff push would take Soriano off our hands? Because I've officially given up on the guy.

 

Not unless the Cubs eat about $75 million.

[soapy]

i'm really hoping that Soriano gets on one of his hot streaks and makes all these threads look absurd.

 

 

i won't hold my breathe though.

[apete6]

Soriano has been worth NEGATIVE value this year. However in 2007, he was worth over $22 million and got paid $10 million. Last year he was essentially break even ($13.8 value for $14 pay).

 

This year? He has been worth $-0.9 million. Hahaha.

 

http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=847&position=2B/OF

 

For comparison, Barry Zito has been worth a total of $13.7 the past 2 years while getting paid $24. This year, he's at positive $2.8 million.

 

Obviously it would be a bad trade for the Cubs, but the fact that anyone would even consider it is a sign of how terrible Fonzie has been. If he doesn't get roundly booed on Thursday and Milton does, then it's just hippocracy from the fans.

[Banedon]

If he doesn't get roundly booed on Thursday and Milton does, then it's just hippocracy from the fans.

 

Saying you like hippos when you actually don't? :)

[Pushfrog98]

Maybe then deal Z for a hitter? I mean, we'll need to fulfill that "leadoff position" with Soriano gone...

[Guest]

Is there any hope at all that a team in the AL making a playoff push would take Soriano off our hands? Because I've officially given up on the guy.

 

Not unless the Cubs eat about $75 million.

 

I think eating cash is one of Hendry's favorite desserts.

[CyHawk_Cub]

Soriano has been worth NEGATIVE value this year. However in 2007, he was worth over $22 million and got paid $10 million. Last year he was essentially break even ($13.8 value for $14 pay).

 

This year? He has been worth $-0.9 million. Hahaha.

 

http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=847&position=2B/OF

 

For comparison, Barry Zito has been worth a total of $13.7 the past 2 years while getting paid $24. This year, he's at positive $2.8 million.

 

Obviously it would be a bad trade for the Cubs, but the fact that anyone would even consider it is a sign of how terrible Fonzie has been. If he doesn't get roundly booed on Thursday and Milton does, then it's just hippocracy from the fans.

 

I get what you're saying, but in defense of the Wrigley faithful (whom I rarely defend), they've at least witnessed Soriano contribute to 2 division-winning teams. All they've/we've seen from Bradley are his emotional issues, ticky tack injuries & very little production.

[badnews]

Can we trade Soriano for Carlos Silva and some other Mariners junk? Carlos Silva's contract is not a good one.

[Careless]

If he doesn't get roundly booed on Thursday and Milton does, then it's just hippocracy from the fans.

 

Saying you like hippos when you actually don't? :)

No, that would be "Rule by horses"

 

Which is a little harsh on the fans

[Clem Fandango]

I can't believe some people actually think this would be a good idea. Currently crappy play or not, Soriano has the ability to be a proven contributor who can actually fulfill his end of the bargain when he gets on a roll, while Zito has been marginally worse than Jason Marquis since 2007. Soriano is a whole 2 months removed from having consistent quality production (.955 OPS in April) and because of a couple bad months we want to trade him for a guy we don't need who will cost us the same amount of money and we know for a fact will be consistently terrible?

 

Can we trade Soriano for Carlos Silva and some other Mariners junk? Carlos Silva's contract is not a good one.

 

I hope that was intended for green font

[RynoRules]

Hendry should start looking at AL rosters with an eye towards trading Soriano to a a team in need of a DH. He'll have 5 yrs left on the deal. If we agree to eat (at a minimum) 1/3 of the remaining money and take back a couple of B or C level prospects then maybe we can at least off-load him and clear space for Fox, who sure looks like he belongs.