Trading Soriano

[Sammy Sofa]

but they probably wanted to make sure Dale didn't lose the team early on or have high-profile players like Zambrano quit when the team started losing.

 

yeah, that would have been horrible

It certainly wouldn't have helped sell the product. Zambrano's a marginal player at this point, just like Reed Johnson. No sense in putting up with distractions if you don't have to.

 

Distractions from what?

You don't think Z's outbursts in the past have been distractions for the players and management?

 

From what?

[Sammy Sofa]

i can't wait until n&g does the thing where he types in all caps to express his over the top sarcasm.

 

Man, you tapped out quick.

 

I MEAN, MAN, YOU TAPPED OUT QUICK.

[dew1679666265]

he's posted just 1.7 fWAR in his last 39 starts; he's probably not any good anymore

 

It's actually 2.9 fWAR in his previous 39 starts if you include his offensive production, which is part of what's made Z so valuable over the years.

 

I still have to think that had we kept Z, he had posted the 3.71 ERA for us that he has for the Marlins, and had remained quiet all year as he has with Miami, we'd be able to get better value for him than Volstad. That was my main issue with trading him no matter what.

[dew1679666265]

Since when has Zambrano been a gate attraction? The fanbase turned on him years ago.

 

I don't think gooney was arguing that he'd be a gate attraction, just that you wouldn't have some mass exodus of fans if he were still on the team.

[jersey cubs fan]

but they probably wanted to make sure Dale didn't lose the team early on or have high-profile players like Zambrano quit when the team started losing.

 

yeah, that would have been horrible

It certainly wouldn't have helped sell the product. Zambrano's a marginal player at this point, just like Reed Johnson. No sense in putting up with distractions if you don't have to.

 

So you're saying they might struggle to sell tickets in a down year if Zambrano was on the team? That makes a lot of sense.

Since when has Zambrano been a gate attraction? The fanbase turned on him years ago.

 

As evidenced by the decrease in tickets sold while he was still here and the increase in tickets sold since he's been gone.

[KingCubsFan]

Since when has Zambrano been a gate attraction? The fanbase turned on him years ago.

 

I don't think gooney was arguing that he'd be a gate attraction, just that you wouldn't have some mass exodus of fans if he were still on the team.

Not saying there would be a mass exodus, but it's possible he could have given the team bad publicity, and it's not worth it anymore considering he's not that good and the Cubs were going to struggle to sell this team anyways considering how bad they were going to be.

[Little Slide Rooter]

It's good to see Soriano 2-3 with a HR so far today, but it's looking as though his hot streak, while longer than any that he's had in the past few years was just that.

 

Soriano between 4/5-5/27 (42 games) .259/.296/.405/.701 5 HR

 

The he exploded, raising his OPS from .701, where it was when the streak began to .837, it's highest on 6/14 before it began to come down to earth.

 

Soriano between 5/28-6/14 (16 games) .333/.403/.767/1.170 7 HR

 

and then since,

 

6/15-6/27 (today not included, 12 games) .220/.347/.390/.737 2 HR

 

Put together the 56 games without the creamy middle, and we have something like .249/.309/.401/.710 7 HR. I'd certainly expect the slugging to stabilize to the mid-high .400's, and you've pretty much got the real Alfonso Soriano. While not a thing of beauty, if a team is picking up minimal salary, coupled with the fact that he's still capable of those hot streaks, we should be able to move him for a few fringe prospects, or even 1 young, high upside guy and a 25-26 year old who's either blocked or needs a change of scenery. If throwing in LaHair maximizes the return, so be it.

[Guest]

It's good to see Soriano 2-3 with a HR so far today, but it's looking as though his hot streak, while longer than any that he's had in the past few years was just that.

 

Soriano between 4/5-5/27 (42 games) .259/.296/.405/.701 5 HR

 

The he exploded, raising his OPS from .701, where it was when the streak began to .837, it's highest on 6/14 before it began to come down to earth.

 

Soriano between 5/28-6/14 (16 games) .333/.403/.767/1.170 7 HR

 

and then since,

 

6/15-6/27 (today not included, 12 games) .220/.347/.390/.737 2 HR

 

Put together the 56 games without the creamy middle, and we have something like .249/.309/.401/.710 7 HR. I'd certainly expect the slugging to stabilize to the mid-high .400's, and you've pretty much got the real Alfonso Soriano. While not a thing of beauty, if a team is picking up minimal salary, coupled with the fact that he's still capable of those hot streaks, we should be able to move him for a few fringe prospects, or even 1 young, high upside guy and a 25-26 year old who's either blocked or needs a change of scenery. If throwing in LaHair maximizes the return, so be it.

You're trolling everyone by putting "throwing in LaHair" in most every post these days, aren't you?

[Guest]

he's posted just 1.7 fWAR in his last 39 starts; he's probably not any good anymore

 

It's actually 2.9 fWAR in his previous 39 starts if you include his offensive production, which is part of what's made Z so valuable over the years.

 

I still have to think that had we kept Z, he had posted the 3.71 ERA for us that he has for the Marlins, and had remained quiet all year as he has with Miami, we'd be able to get better value for him than Volstad. That was my main issue with trading him no matter what.

 

With Z being a free agent after the year, I have to think he'd lose value in team control as fast or faster than he could regain it by pitching as he has this year.

[dew1679666265]

With Z being a free agent after the year, I have to think he'd lose value in team control as fast or faster than he could regain it by pitching as he has this year.

 

Very possible, though there's more of a chance to find a sucker (Ned Colletti) at the deadline who will overpay than finding one in the offseason. I don't think the differences would have been huge, though.

[dew1679666265]

Not saying there would be a mass exodus, but it's possible he could have given the team bad publicity, and it's not worth it anymore considering he's not that good and the Cubs were going to struggle to sell this team anyways considering how bad they were going to be.

 

I don't think the publicity would have been all that bad unless Z threw another tantrum. And really, I don't think selling this team is all that tough. The majority of fans and media were clamoring for a video game rebuild and Theo gave them what they wanted. I don't think it'll be as easy a sell after this year as I expect the casual fans and media members to expect us to start winning big next year, but I think most fans are perfectly content with this year's team.

[Little Slide Rooter]

It's good to see Soriano 2-3 with a HR so far today, but it's looking as though his hot streak, while longer than any that he's had in the past few years was just that.

 

Soriano between 4/5-5/27 (42 games) .259/.296/.405/.701 5 HR

 

The he exploded, raising his OPS from .701, where it was when the streak began to .837, it's highest on 6/14 before it began to come down to earth.

 

Soriano between 5/28-6/14 (16 games) .333/.403/.767/1.170 7 HR

 

and then since,

 

6/15-6/27 (today not included, 12 games) .220/.347/.390/.737 2 HR

 

Put together the 56 games without the creamy middle, and we have something like .249/.309/.401/.710 7 HR. I'd certainly expect the slugging to stabilize to the mid-high .400's, and you've pretty much got the real Alfonso Soriano. While not a thing of beauty, if a team is picking up minimal salary, coupled with the fact that he's still capable of those hot streaks, we should be able to move him for a few fringe prospects, or even 1 young, high upside guy and a 25-26 year old who's either blocked or needs a change of scenery. If throwing in LaHair maximizes the return, so be it.

You're trolling everyone by putting "throwing in LaHair" in most every post these days, aren't you?

 

There were reports that the Dodgers were scouting him earlier this week.

[weis21]

It's good to see Soriano 2-3 with a HR so far today, but it's looking as though his hot streak, while longer than any that he's had in the past few years was just that.

 

Soriano between 4/5-5/27 (42 games) .259/.296/.405/.701 5 HR

 

The he exploded, raising his OPS from .701, where it was when the streak began to .837, it's highest on 6/14 before it began to come down to earth.

 

Soriano between 5/28-6/14 (16 games) .333/.403/.767/1.170 7 HR

 

and then since,

 

6/15-6/27 (today not included, 12 games) .220/.347/.390/.737 2 HR

 

Put together the 56 games without the creamy middle, and we have something like .249/.309/.401/.710 7 HR. I'd certainly expect the slugging to stabilize to the mid-high .400's, and you've pretty much got the real Alfonso Soriano. While not a thing of beauty, if a team is picking up minimal salary, coupled with the fact that he's still capable of those hot streaks, we should be able to move him for a few fringe prospects, or even 1 young, high upside guy and a 25-26 year old who's either blocked or needs a change of scenery. If throwing in LaHair maximizes the return, so be it.

 

You are treating him like two different players. He is one. A player. Every player has hot and cold streaks, but Alfonso's are just a little more extreme. That doesn't make him any less of a productive baseball player. To take out his hot streak is just as pointless as to take out his cold streak. I'd imagine any GM trading for him would think the same way. What I'd also like to image (or hope - especially for an AL GM) is that Soriano has been putting up good numbers for quite some time and will/or could continue. The man still has the ability to hit. Will it last? Who knows? But, his value won't be higher than it is now. Trade him before the deadline and cut ties for the best deal you can. I have ZERO doubt this is what will happen.

[davell]

Orioles just got Thome, probably takes them out on Soriano.

[Cubfanintheknow]

Funny quote by Dale Sveum on Soriano not making the all-star team:

 

“The outfielders who are going obviously deserve it,” Sveum said, “but what Soriano has done for us, going out every day and on those [sore] legs and leading all of the league in homers since May, it’s a tribute to a wonderful guy. You wish someone else would appreciate him.”

 

Bolded part by me. Makes it seem like he's parading Soriano in front of potential trade suitors.

 

Link to the article: http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/13531357-573/alfonso-soriano-is-an-all-star-to-cubs.html

[Tyrant]

I

Put together the 56 games without the creamy middle, and we have something like .249/.309/.401/.710 7 HR.

 

Plus, if we take out all of his home runs this season he has zero home runs. Not a lot of run production to market to buyers without any home runs.

[Sammy Sofa]

I

Put together the 56 games without the creamy middle, and we have something like .249/.309/.401/.710 7 HR.

 

Plus, if we take out all of his home runs this season he has zero home runs. Not a lot of run production to market to buyers without any home runs.

 

Hahahahahahaah! Well done.

[Tyrant]

I

Put together the 56 games without the creamy middle, and we have something like .249/.309/.401/.710 7 HR.

 

Plus, if we take out all of his home runs this season he has zero home runs. Not a lot of run production to market to buyers without any home runs.

 

Hahahahahahaah! Well done.

 

Thanks, that means a lot coming from you.

[Bote McBoteface]

 

From what?

 

Didn't you know that Zambrano's meanness caused exactly half of Starlin Castro's errors last season? And that time he turned his back to the field? He needed a moment to reflect on how much of an [expletive] Zambrano is.

[ctcf]

Kevin Goldstein ‏@Kevin_Goldstein

At BP tomorrow. RT @RJanvrin3: @Kevin_Goldstein If the Rays do trade for Soriano, who are some prospects they'd most likely deal?

 

Huh?

[Guest]

Kevin Goldstein ‏@Kevin_Goldstein

At BP tomorrow. RT @RJanvrin3: @Kevin_Goldstein If the Rays do trade for Soriano, who are some prospects they'd most likely deal?

 

Huh?

 

He's doing a story on that subject and it will be on Baseball Prospectus tomorrow.

[ctcf]

Kevin Goldstein ‏@Kevin_Goldstein

At BP tomorrow. RT @RJanvrin3: @Kevin_Goldstein If the Rays do trade for Soriano, who are some prospects they'd most likely deal?

 

Huh?

 

He's doing a story on that subject and it will be on Baseball Prospectus tomorrow.

 

Oh I get that, I was just unsure of why that suddenly even warranted a story on BP.

[Guest]

Kevin Goldstein ‏@Kevin_Goldstein

At BP tomorrow. RT @RJanvrin3: @Kevin_Goldstein If the Rays do trade for Soriano, who are some prospects they'd most likely deal?

 

Huh?

 

He's doing a story on that subject and it will be on Baseball Prospectus tomorrow.

 

Oh I get that, I was just unsure of why that suddenly even warranted a story on BP.

 

Soriano is probably included in a story of a few different players.

[UMFan83]

I

Put together the 56 games without the creamy middle, and we have something like .249/.309/.401/.710 7 HR.

 

Plus, if we take out all of his home runs this season he has zero home runs. Not a lot of run production to market to buyers without any home runs.

 

This caused me to literally laugh outloud.

[treebird]

Kevin Goldstein ‏@Kevin_Goldstein

At BP tomorrow. RT @RJanvrin3: @Kevin_Goldstein If the Rays do trade for Soriano, who are some prospects they'd most likely deal?

 

Huh?

 

He's doing a story on that subject and it will be on Baseball Prospectus tomorrow.

 

you are probably right, but i honestly read this as though he was saying the prospects would be at batting practice tomorrow because the prospects are a couple bags of baseballs.