Piniella denies Rozner column

[Banedon]

A Cubs source says Soriano has been put on notice that he must show something of value at the plate and in the field soon.

 

Or else.

 

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=372636

 

Piniella also responded to a Daily Herald column that said Soriano has been put on notice that he needs to produce at the plate and in the field, or else.

 

"It couldn't be further from the truth," Piniella said. "They're all going to play. I've got five good outfielders. I can't sit two of them and just play three. That we're not going to do. But at the same time, all I said, basically was be patient with me, and I'm going to have to take one of them out of the lineup occasionally to get somebody some at-bats.

 

"Down the road, when we get into this thing, obviously, the guys that are doing the best are the guys that should - should - get more at-bats."

 

Piniella also said Soriano's contract, or anybody's salary, will not dictate playing time.

 

"Guys that are making money are making that money because they've had really, really nice careers and they've been successful," the manager said. "But I don't like living in the past. And I don't like living in the future. I like living in the present."

 

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=373311&src=152

[SouthSideRyan]

I don't know if I'd call Mark Grace a Cubs source Barry.

[jersey cubs fan]

Rozner is a huge Maddux guy as well.

[Garwilly]

Good, maybe he'll start trying now. :roll:

[Soul]

I guess "or else" was supposed to mean "or else you become a bench player."

 

Doubtful.

 

I also heard Kaplan say last night he expects Soriano will be released in the next 12 months. I found that to be an incredibly wild statement to make. Ricketts is really going to eat $72 million dollars?

[Sammy Sofa]

Good Lord, just when I think Kaplan can't get any worse...

[jersey cubs fan]

I guess "or else" was supposed to mean "or else you become a bench player."

 

Doubtful.

 

I also heard Kaplan say last night he expects Soriano will be released in the next 12 months. I found that to be an incredibly wild statement to make. Ricketts is really going to eat $72 million dollars?

 

If he matches last year's disaster, it's possible. But I still doubt it. Back to back seasons of completely worthless production and then turning 35, they may start thinking about doing something like that. I would think they'd give it one more year after that. But if Jackson really comes on strong, and Colvin surprises to the upside as a role player, maybe they'd take the leap.

 

Either way, they probably would have accounted for the liability of Soriano's contract when negotiating the price they play for the team. Remember, by many accounts it was $50-100m-less than was predicted.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

I guess "or else" was supposed to mean "or else you become a bench player."

 

Doubtful.

 

I also heard Kaplan say last night he expects Soriano will be released in the next 12 months. I found that to be an incredibly wild statement to make. Ricketts is really going to eat $72 million dollars?

 

If he matches last year's disaster, it's possible. But I still doubt it. Back to back seasons of completely worthless production and then turning 35, they may start thinking about doing something like that. I would think they'd give it one more year after that. But if Jackson really comes on strong, and Colvin surprises to the upside as a role player, maybe they'd take the leap.

 

Either way, they probably would have accounted for the liability of Soriano's contract when negotiating the price they play for the team. Remember, by many accounts it was $50-100m-less than was predicted.

I know you're just an average white guy, but 35 is the new 25 which makes me about 26.

[biittner77]

I wouldn't say the Cubs releasing Soriano is likely but it's not out of the question. If they thought they could replace him with a colvin/ Nady platoon then it doesn't cost them anything extra to have Soriano sit at home watching TV. That assumes that Colvin lives up to his ST results, Nady doesn't get a lot more money next year and Byrd and Fukudome are productive. All those things could happen. There's also the possibility that Vitters makes a meteoric rise and the Cubs stick him in LF next year.

 

But Soriano around for at least 2 more seasons is a lot more likely.

[Gmoney08]

I dont think a team has ever just released 72 million in salary off their team, especially in the MLB where contracts are guaranteed.

 

They might eat alot of his salary in a trade but I doubt theres any chance they outright release him.

[TruffleShuffle]

I dont think a team has ever just released 72 million in salary off their team, especially in the MLB where contracts are guaranteed.

 

i'm pretty certain that it would be. for a while the most money that a team ate was $14.3M, when the tigers released damion easley.

[biittner77]

What about Mo Vaughn? In his case he wasn't physically able to play but the net effect was the same, they were paying him but getting no production.

[BigbadB1679666149]

What about Mo Vaughn? In his case he wasn't physically able to play but the net effect was the same, they were paying him but getting no production.

 

Are we positive the Mets didn't cash in on the insurance with Vaughn not playing due to injury?

[bhogg]

Isn't Joey Belle still on the O's pay roll??

 

 

I think they'll trade him. . .. obviously I have no inside information, but I think a trade will be the way it all goes down. Cubs will have to eat at least $10 million per year.

[BigbadB1679666149]

Oh boy. More turmoil in the clubhouse. Let's blame it on Milton!

[Bote McBoteface]

Start producing or else.....we'll still pay you 18 million to swing at pitches a foot outside and in the dirt. Oh dear.

[Ivy.n.Denver]

Isn't someone going to make a comment about sunk costs?

[seanimal]

I would try to call this, up or down on the two year thing, but I really just have no idea what kind of owners these guys are going to be.