Trading Soriano

[Sammy Sofa]

Don't tell me what to do.

[XZero771679666304]

Depending on your perspective, Soriano could be considered anywhere from the 3rd to 6th best outfielder on the roster. He could absolutely be viewed as taking a roster spot, or more importantly, regular at bats, from a more worthy player.

 

As long as Soriano can mash lefties, don't be surprised to see AL teams start taking out fliers as long as we pick up most of his salary and accept a failed former top propsect in return.

 

If the Cubs picked up all but, say, 12-14MM (about what he'd be worth), I think he could return a decent (not great, decent) piece. But I don't think anyone would riot if he didn't.

[davell]

If Soriano was a FA this year, what would he be getting? I hate to say, I'm not sure he'd even get 2 years from anyone. If so, maybe 2/10? I just don't know if he's tradeable yet. Maybe if we're in the middle of the season and he's had a good first half. But, the way this market has shaped up, maybe we pay 45 mill to someone, just to move him? And if so, every cent of that money has to be paid within 18 months. For that reason alone, I think he's more likely to be our starting LFer in 2012, with Byrd being moved within a few weeks.

[XZero771679666304]

If Soriano was a FA this year, what would he be getting? I hate to say, I'm not sure he'd even get 2 years from anyone. If so, maybe 2/10? I just don't know if he's tradeable yet. Maybe if we're in the middle of the season and he's had a good first half. But, the way this market has shaped up, maybe we pay 45 mill to someone, just to move him? And if so, every cent of that money has to be paid within 18 months. For that reason alone, I think he's more likely to be our starting LFer in 2012, with Byrd being moved within a few weeks.

 

He is still a moderate power threat, and Fangraphs had him worth about 6MM last year. A non-contending team would have some use for him. Maybe a team like Seattle that is desperate for any semblance of offense.

[NonProfitCow]

If Soriano was a FA this year, what would he be getting? I hate to say, I'm not sure he'd even get 2 years from anyone. If so, maybe 2/10? I just don't know if he's tradeable yet. Maybe if we're in the middle of the season and he's had a good first half. But, the way this market has shaped up, maybe we pay 45 mill to someone, just to move him? And if so, every cent of that money has to be paid within 18 months. For that reason alone, I think he's more likely to be our starting LFer in 2012, with Byrd being moved within a few weeks.

Sounds about right. That's what Cody Ross is looking for, and they're pretty much the same player except Ross is younger.

[UMFan83]

I would absolutely love it if we got rid of Soriano, even if we had to eat most of the remaining deal. It would just feel like a fresh start having gotten rid of a lot of the players that made the last couple of years so annoying and miserable. Part of the reason the Cubs were so unwatchable the last couple of years is because of these guys. They weren't that good, and they weren't going anywhere or giving us any salary relief for awhile. So it was either choosing to watch boring veterans you don't like lose ballgames or just ignoring the team altogether.

 

I would be delighted to watch the Cubs next year if Soriano is gone, I don't care how bad we are. There are fresh faces, young players whose ceilings are, to an extent, unknown and actually have the potential to get better during the year. Granted a lot of these young players aren't all that highly regarded but its a start.

[davell]

The more I think about this, the more I think now is the perfect time to deal him. Since all monies must be paid within 18 months, let's say we send 45 mill to a team to get rid of him. His salary goes UP this year and next, to 22.5 from 18. But, he's off the books a year earlier than if we even deal him at the deadline. We're not looking like we're spending money this year anyway, other than on stopgaps, so go ahead and deal him now. He's off the books quicker and 2014 gets here and we're not looking at that 18 mill anymore.

[XZero771679666304]

The more I think about this, the more I think now is the perfect time to deal him. Since all monies must be paid within 18 months, let's say we send 45 mill to a team to get rid of him. His salary goes UP this year and next, to 22.5 from 18. But, he's off the books a year earlier than if we even deal him at the deadline. We're not looking like we're spending money this year anyway, other than on stopgaps, so go ahead and deal him now. He's off the books quicker and 2014 gets here and we're not looking at that 18 mill anymore.

 

I think the Cubs could get away with sending less than that, maybe 40MM. More could be eaten in attempt to secure a better return, but I doubt we'd anything of value either way.

[XZero771679666304]

The more I think about this, the more I think now is the perfect time to deal him. Since all monies must be paid within 18 months, let's say we send 45 mill to a team to get rid of him. His salary goes UP this year and next, to 22.5 from 18. But, he's off the books a year earlier than if we even deal him at the deadline. We're not looking like we're spending money this year anyway, other than on stopgaps, so go ahead and deal him now. He's off the books quicker and 2014 gets here and we're not looking at that 18 mill anymore.

 

I think the Cubs could get away with sending less than that, maybe 40MM. More could be eaten in attempt to secure a better return, but I doubt we'd anything of value either way.

[weis21]

http://www.chicagonow.com/cubs-den/2011/11/source-cubs-talking-with-several-teams-regarding-soriano-headley-still-in-play/

 

Carroll reports that the Cubs have a "firm grasp" on a Soriano deal. Sounds encouraging.

I'm surprised no one has mentioned the part that it there are still rumors about adding Headley. To me, that is as interesting (if not more interesting) than dumping Soriano. Would Stewart become a bat off the bench in that case? I suppose he could be spun off to another team, as well.

[JeffH]

http://www.chicagonow.com/cubs-den/2011/11/source-cubs-talking-with-several-teams-regarding-soriano-headley-still-in-play/

 

Carroll reports that the Cubs have a "firm grasp" on a Soriano deal. Sounds encouraging.

I'm surprised no one has mentioned the part that it there are still rumors about adding Headley. To me, that is as interesting (if not more interesting) than dumping Soriano. Would Stewart become a bat off the bench in that case? I suppose he could be spun off to another team, as well.

 

LOL. Check the date on that article.

[weis21]

http://www.chicagonow.com/cubs-den/2011/11/source-cubs-talking-with-several-teams-regarding-soriano-headley-still-in-play/

 

Carroll reports that the Cubs have a "firm grasp" on a Soriano deal. Sounds encouraging.

I'm surprised no one has mentioned the part that it there are still rumors about adding Headley. To me, that is as interesting (if not more interesting) than dumping Soriano. Would Stewart become a bat off the bench in that case? I suppose he could be spun off to another team, as well.

 

LOL. Check the date on that article.

Good Lord. Well that makes more sense. I saw the bump in this thread and just assumed I had checked it recently when I clicked on "unread posts".

 

It's been a loooooong week. Beer needed. Nothing to see here. Carry on.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Orioles, Cubs Discussed Alfonso Soriano

By Ben Nicholson-Smith [January 6 at 8:11am CST]

The Orioles and Cubs have discussed a trade involving Alfonso Soriano, according to Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com. Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reported yesterday that a couple of teams have inquired about Soriano and at this point there's no indication that Baltimore GM Dan Duquette is close to adding Soriano to the left field/designated hitter mix.

 

 

Again, I don't see why anyone would be shocked at someone taking on Soriano who can still mash lefties if it only costs them around 5 mil over 3 years and something like a Chris Volstad.

[UMFan83]

Can we really say that someone with an .812 ops against lefties "mashes" them?

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Can we really say that someone with an .812 ops against lefties "mashes" them?

 

No, and you shouldn't be paying $5 million a year for a lefty-masher anyway. A poor defensive, corner-playing lefty masher is pretty much the definition of replacement level and fungible.

[SouthSideRyan]

Hey, anything making Will Carroll look like a horse's ass is fine by me.

[Mad Ducks]

Orioles, Cubs Discussed Alfonso Soriano

By Ben Nicholson-Smith [January 6 at 8:11am CST]

The Orioles and Cubs have discussed a trade involving Alfonso Soriano, according to Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com. Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reported yesterday that a couple of teams have inquired about Soriano and at this point there's no indication that Baltimore GM Dan Duquette is close to adding Soriano to the left field/designated hitter mix.

 

 

Again, I don't see why anyone would be shocked at someone taking on Soriano who can still mash lefties if it only costs them around 5 mil over 3 years and something like a Chris Volstad.

 

The O's are in desperate need of some publicity, I'd love to see Duquette jump on this move. I really do not care who the get in return.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Orioles, Cubs Discussed Alfonso Soriano

By Ben Nicholson-Smith [January 6 at 8:11am CST]

The Orioles and Cubs have discussed a trade involving Alfonso Soriano, according to Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com. Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reported yesterday that a couple of teams have inquired about Soriano and at this point there's no indication that Baltimore GM Dan Duquette is close to adding Soriano to the left field/designated hitter mix.

 

 

Again, I don't see why anyone would be shocked at someone taking on Soriano who can still mash lefties if it only costs them around 5 mil over 3 years and something like a Chris Volstad.

 

The O's are in desperate need of some publicity, I'd love to see Duquette jump on this move. I really do not care who the get in return.

 

This isn't Sammy Sosa we're talking about here. Just a guy who can still do an OK job of hitting a baseball and throwing it from the outfield to home plate, occasionally managing to catch it when it's hit toward him.

[biittner77]

Orioles, Cubs Discussed Alfonso Soriano

By Ben Nicholson-Smith [January 6 at 8:11am CST]

The Orioles and Cubs have discussed a trade involving Alfonso Soriano, according to Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com. Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reported yesterday that a couple of teams have inquired about Soriano and at this point there's no indication that Baltimore GM Dan Duquette is close to adding Soriano to the left field/designated hitter mix.

 

 

Again, I don't see why anyone would be shocked at someone taking on Soriano who can still mash lefties if it only costs them around 5 mil over 3 years and something like a Chris Volstad.

 

The O's are in desperate need of some publicity, I'd love to see Duquette jump on this move. I really do not care who the get in return.

 

This isn't Sammy Sosa we're talking about here. Just a guy who can still do an OK job of hitting a baseball and throwing it from the outfield to home plate, occasionally managing to catch it when it's hit toward him.

 

I would mostly agree. The qualifier comes from the fact that Soriano had that one good year for the Nationals and that might stand out more in people's minds locally than the reality of what he's done for the Cubs since then. The casual O's fans around here still think Soriano isn't that bad. If they got him really cheap it could create some buzz which would be better than never hearing about the Orioles ever which is what it's come to lately.

[davearm2]

I would absolutely love it if we got rid of Soriano, even if we had to eat most of the remaining deal. It would just feel like a fresh start having gotten rid of a lot of the players that made the last couple of years so annoying and miserable. Part of the reason the Cubs were so unwatchable the last couple of years is because of these guys. They weren't that good, and they weren't going anywhere or giving us any salary relief for awhile. So it was either choosing to watch boring veterans you don't like lose ballgames or just ignoring the team altogether.

 

I would be delighted to watch the Cubs next year if Soriano is gone, I don't care how bad we are. There are fresh faces, young players whose ceilings are, to an extent, unknown and actually have the potential to get better during the year. Granted a lot of these young players aren't all that highly regarded but its a start.

This is where I am too. Better to lose with newer, younger guys that might actually get better, than the same old, same old veterans that are reaching the twilight phase of their careers.

[jersey cubs fan]

I would mostly agree. The qualifier comes from the fact that Soriano had that one good year for the Nationals and that might stand out more in people's minds locally than the reality of what he's done for the Cubs since then. The casual O's fans around here still think Soriano isn't that bad. If they got him really cheap it could create some buzz which would be better than never hearing about the Orioles ever which is what it's come to lately.

 

He was also a Yankee and went to 2 WS with them so maybe there's carryover from that. Although he's probably most known for striking out about 30 times in that 2003 postseason.

[dew1679666265]

Big Z was perhaps my favorite Cub.

 

People here had an emotional attachment to Zambrano. He was one of ours, a career Cub brought up through our system. In spite of his antics (or in part because of them) he endeared himself to us and entertained us greatly. He was, in his better days, a dominator who had a particular penchant for tormenting and antagonizing our rivals. He was brooding, bombastic and bellicose. But he was our goon, and we loved him. And because we saw him in good times as well as bad, we knew he had value that belied his reputation, and seeing him ushered out the back door in the way he was stung, even if it was predictable and perhaps inevitable.

 

 

Soriano is a maligned trophy signing gone wrong, essentially dead weight. He has some value still, but a severing of ties would be well received.

 

Very good post.

[weis21]

Big Z was perhaps my favorite Cub.

 

People here had an emotional attachment to Zambrano. He was one of ours, a career Cub brought up through our system. In spite of his antics (or in part because of them) he endeared himself to us and entertained us greatly. He was, in his better days, a dominator who had a particular penchant for tormenting and antagonizing our rivals. He was brooding, bombastic and bellicose. But he was our goon, and we loved him. And because we saw him in good times as well as bad, we knew he had value that belied his reputation, and seeing him ushered out the back door in the way he was stung, even if it was predictable and perhaps inevitable.

 

 

Soriano is a maligned trophy signing gone wrong, essentially dead weight. He has some value still, but a severing of ties would be well received.

 

Very good post.

Yep, couldn't agree more. It's exactly how I feel. I wish him all the best and will be rooting for him. (but, damn, I'm afraid of just afraid of how ridiculous he's going to look in those atrocious Marlins uniforms).

[Post Count Padder]

I know, it's Rogers. And it's just speculation

 

Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune suggests the Cubs could ask for Brian Roberts in return for Alfonso Soriano.

Roberts has fallen out of favor with the Orioles and is owed $10 million for each of the next two seasons. The Tribune speculates that a reasonable deal could have the Cubs sending Soriano and $9 million for Roberts and a prospect or two, assuming that both players would be willing to waive their no-trade clause. Given the amount of money still owed on Soriano's contract, Chicago's only option may be to take on a bad contract in any potential trade. Roberts played just 39 games last season, but would offer short-term value if he's able to bounce back from his post-concussion syndrome.

 

I think the FO would prefer a young arm, ala Z for Volstad, but what would the reaction here be if this came to fruition? Is there anyone to buy lower on than Roberts? If he has a revival, he'd be good trade bait.

[Schwarber Fan]

Bump the 300 page Roberts thread!!!