Trading Soriano

[TheDude]

Throughout all the GM threads there were numerous jokes about trading Soriano or other bad contracts to Boston. I'm asking the question seriously. With Ortiz a FA, the DH role is open in Boston. Presuming Cherington is promoted, would he and Theo work out a bad contract swap of Lackey for Soriano?

 

The money and years are close to a wash and the Cubs would be better served with Lackey than Soriano.

 

Are there other bad contract swaps out there anywhere?

[davell]

Vernon and I want Soriano over him every day of the week. Realistically, I figure it's better for us to keep him one more year and hopefully we'll wind up eating less of his contract that way. He should give us decent production in 2012, albeit way overpriced. I just don't see anything other than Lackey that's a possibility either, but that's actually not a bad idea.

[UMFan83]

If Cherington plugged Soriano into CARMINE, the machine would immediately start shaking violently with smoke coming out of it with a message stating "SYSTEM WILL SELF DESTRUCT IN 5 SECONDS" which upon explosion would probably kill Cherington, and would leave Theo as the prime suspect for his murder due to him designing the system.

 

Are you sure you want to risk that?

[AlamoCub]

Zito's contract matches up pretty well.

 

2012: $19

2013: $20

2014: $18 or $7 buyout

 

We'd probably have to cover the difference in '14, but I think I'd take Zito over Soriano. Plug him in as the 5th starter, and hope for 180 innings. Given that he and Soriano will probably put up a similar WAR. Given the option, I'll take 1-2 WAR from my 5th starter rather than of my LF.

[17 Seconds]

alfonso soriano: jim hendry's gift that keeps on giving even after he's gone

 

if we had just signed carlos lee at least he'd be on his way out

[MSG T]

Zito's contract matches up pretty well.

 

2012: $19

2013: $20

2014: $18 or $7 buyout

 

We'd probably have to cover the difference in '14, but I think I'd take Zito over Soriano. Plug him in as the 5th starter, and hope for 180 innings. Given that he and Soriano will probably put up a similar WAR. Given the option, I'll take 1-2 WAR from my 5th starter rather than of my LF.

 

 

Lackey just posted a 1.5 WAR (Fangraphs) and will be paid $15.950,000 per for the next three years. Their the same age, Lackey has a better recent history (has an 8.0 WAR over the last two years) and his peripherals were better than Zito's. Granted, neither are worth their contracts, but I'd rather take a chance on Lackey if they were able to work a straight trade for Soriano, especially given the money difference.

 

 

However, I don't see it happening.

[UMFan83]

Zito's contract matches up pretty well.

 

2012: $19

2013: $20

2014: $18 or $7 buyout

 

We'd probably have to cover the difference in '14, but I think I'd take Zito over Soriano. Plug him in as the 5th starter, and hope for 180 innings. Given that he and Soriano will probably put up a similar WAR. Given the option, I'll take 1-2 WAR from my 5th starter rather than of my LF.

 

No NL team is going to want him even as a salary dump.

 

That said, I didn't realize how badly Zito fell off last year after a couple of somewhat decent years. Maybe they would make that trade. They could use bats too even though Soriano isn't really a good hitter, just deceptive because he hits home runs on occasion.

[AlamoCub]

 

Lackey just posted a 1.5 WAR (Fangraphs) and will be paid $15.950,000 per for the next three years. Their the same age, Lackey has a better recent history (has an 8.0 WAR over the last two years) and his peripherals were better than Zito's. Granted, neither are worth their contracts, but I'd rather take a chance on Lackey if they were able to work a straight trade for Soriano, especially given the money difference.

 

 

However, I don't see it happening.

 

Yeah, I don't see the Red Sox taking on Soriano. I think they'd sooner resign Ortiz for another go-round. But I wouldn't put it past Sabean to acquire an aging, rapidly declining veteran like Soriano. The Giants' outfield is going to look a little sparse next season anyway with Beltran and Cody Ross hitting free agency. They're basically left with Andres Torres and Brandon Belt. Torres is coming off a miserable year, and they don't seem in a hurry to give Belt a real opportunity.

[Sammy Sofa]

Yes, instead of the Red Sox re-signing Ortiz to DH or even going after Prince to DH...they'll settle on Soriano. Edited October 13, 2011 by Sammy Sofa

[davearm2]

Yeah, I don't see the Red Sox taking on Soriano. I think they'd sooner resign Ortiz for another go-round. But I wouldn't put it past Sabean to acquire an aging, rapidly declining veteran like Soriano. The Giants' outfield is going to look a little sparse next season anyway with Beltran and Cody Ross hitting free agency. They're basically left with Andres Torres and Brandon Belt. Torres is coming off a miserable year, and they don't seem in a hurry to give Belt a real opportunity.

You'd think maybe (just maybe) the Giants would take Soriano (plus some cash) even with us not taking Zito back.

 

This is a team that plugged in old guys like Tejada at SS and Aubrey Huff at 1B.

[AlamoCub]

 

No NL team is going to want him even as a salary dump.

 

That said, I didn't realize how badly Zito fell off last year after a couple of somewhat decent years. Maybe they would make that trade. They could use bats too even though Soriano isn't really a good hitter, just deceptive because he hits home runs on occasion.

 

Zito spent 3 months on the DL (for the first time in his career), due to a foot sprain/strain. I don't think you can draw any real conclusions in regard to the efficacy of his performance from a 50 inning sample.

[AlamoCub]

You'd think maybe (just maybe) the Giants would take Soriano (plus some cash) even with us not taking Zito back.

 

This is a team that plugged in old guys like Tejada at SS and Aubrey Huff at 1B.

 

If by some cash you mean $50 million, then yes.

[UMFan83]

Yes, instead of the Red Sox re-signing Ortiz to DH or even going after Prince to DH...they'll settle on Soriano.

 

They don't have Theo anymore. I'd be surprised if anyone left in that front office knew what OBP was much less WAR.

[TheDude]

Yes, instead of the Red Sox re-signing Ortiz to DH or even going after Prince to DH...they'll settle on Soriano.

 

It's not about who is ideal for Boston. By all current reports, some cleaning is going to take place in Boston. I'm not buying most of names reported, but Lackey is going to lynched if he stays in Boston. He is the one guy I buy into the Red Sox trying to move. They are just as screwed with Lackey as the Cubs are with Soriano when it comes to production, but even more when you add in the media and fans.

 

This is purely is Bradley for Silva move for both teams and cross your fingers.

 

I don't see any NL team doing a bad contract swap for Soriano.

[Sammy Sofa]

But what good would Soriano be to them? I guess he'd be useful as a LH PH, but that's about it. It's not like the fans are demanding that Ortiz not be re-signed to DH, so the idea that they'd even consider someone like Soriano instead seems a bit...farfetched.

[TheDude]

But what good would Soriano be to them? I guess he'd be useful as a LH PH, but that's about it. It's not like the fans are demanding that Ortiz not be re-signed to DH, so the idea that they'd even consider someone like Soriano instead seems a bit...farfetched.

You're looking past the basics, which most fans won't do. Soriano did put-up 26 HR and 88 RBI in a bad line-up. You're average fan isn't going to look at a 26 HR guy as a PH only. The only regular DH in the AL that hit more than Soriano's 26 HR was Ortiz with 28.

 

I think you could sell this bad contract swap to the fan base. Fenway might even steady off the decline as Soriano's warning track dead-pull power should yield some singles off the wall instead of outs.

[Sammy Sofa]

The general consensus of Soriano by fans and sports media is that he's an old, bad player signed to a bad contract.

[jersey cubs fan]

The general consensus of Soriano by fans and sports media is that he's an old, bad player signed to a bad contract.

 

That is true. But as much as they despise Lackey, you probably could sell it to the fans.

[davearm2]

The general consensus of Soriano by fans and sports media is that he's an old, bad player signed to a bad contract.

Like Lackey -- according to Boston fans.

 

A better player would be great, but short of that, just simply a different player may be tolerable. Beggers can't be choosers and all of that.

[Sammy Sofa]

I'm not saying I wouldn't do the swap; I just don't think it would happen in the first place. With most bad contract swaps each side can usually justify to themselves what they're getting in return (even if it is usually mistaken or overly generous). I just don't see that in Soriano. It's not like he's a headcase or someone that potentially needs a change of scenery; he's just a flawed, aging, declining baseball player.

[davearm2]

I'm not saying I wouldn't do the swap; I just don't think it would happen in the first place. With most bad contract swaps each side can usually justify to themselves what they're getting in return (even if it is usually mistaken or overly generous). I just don't see that in Soriano. It's not like he's a headcase or someone that potentially needs a change of scenery; he's just a flawed, aging, declining baseball player.

I don't think anyone here needs to be reminded about what Soriano is.

 

So you think given the choice, the Red Sox would prefer just to keep the flawed, aging, declining baseball player they already have, and that their entire fanbase seems to despise, versus giving that whole change of scenery thing a chance with a guy that, incidentally, plugs a hole in their lineup and saves them from committing *another* $30M or whatever it would take to re-sign Ortiz.

[Sammy Sofa]

I'm not saying I wouldn't do the swap; I just don't think it would happen in the first place. With most bad contract swaps each side can usually justify to themselves what they're getting in return (even if it is usually mistaken or overly generous). I just don't see that in Soriano. It's not like he's a headcase or someone that potentially needs a change of scenery; he's just a flawed, aging, declining baseball player.

I think we all get what Soriano is.

 

So you think given the choice, the Red Sox would prefer just to keep the flawed, aging, declining baseball player they already have, and that their entire fanbase seems to despise, versus giving that whole change of scenery thing a chance with a guy that, incidentally, plugs a hole in their lineup and saves them from committing *another* $30M or whatever it would take to re-sign Ortiz.

 

As per usual, it's not an either/or proposition. I think they'd prefer a different bad contract swap in regards to Lackey, and I think, yes, they'd rather either re-sign Ortiz or even go after someone like Fielder. Or a different option at DH. There's a lot of different choices than what you suggest above.

[KingCubsFan]

I'm not saying I wouldn't do the swap; I just don't think it would happen in the first place. With most bad contract swaps each side can usually justify to themselves what they're getting in return (even if it is usually mistaken or overly generous). I just don't see that in Soriano. It's not like he's a headcase or someone that potentially needs a change of scenery; he's just a flawed, aging, declining baseball player.

I wonder if there's ever been an analysis (doubtful, given the Cubs prior management) regarding Soriano's bat speed. Given how heavy his bat is, it wouldn't surprise me if it's declined over the past few years. This obviously wouldn't solve everything, but maybe switching to a lighter bat would boost his numbers a bit and make him at least serviceable for another year, particularly given the fact that he can only hit fastballs.

[KingKongvs.Godzilla]

Yes, instead of the Red Sox re-signing Ortiz to DH or even going after Prince to DH...they'll settle on Soriano.

 

They don't have Theo anymore. I'd be surprised if anyone left in that front office knew what OBP was much less WAR.

 

I lawld.

 

Call me crazy but I think it's possible that Soriano is tradeable. He's way overpriced but he offers some RH pop and in a small LF he could probably get by defensively...I like to tell myself these things.

[JeffH]

Yes, instead of the Red Sox re-signing Ortiz to DH or even going after Prince to DH...they'll settle on Soriano.

 

They don't have Theo anymore. I'd be surprised if anyone left in that front office knew what OBP was much less WAR.

 

WAR? What is it good for?