USSoccer

He can't because he doesn't have the work permit to do so. Man U is playing in the Champions League match against Celtic this week and Chelsea Sunday and its extremely unlikely that he'd get any time in those matches even if he had the proper paperwork. He's eligible to hit the transfer market on June 2nd. Middle of the MLS season but just after most Euro clubs conclude their seasons. It'll interesting to see if he plays for DC United and then transfers or just waits until he signs somewhere and then plays in the fall. Regardless, the MLS should make a pretty penny off the bidding war between Chelsea, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Barcelona, etc. I have doubts about his ability to secure a work permit even in January. Did anyone ever clarify whether or not he's a US international? If he is, he doesn't have the caps needed to get a work permit in England.

all it means is more at bats for javier valentin That's no bueno. He has like a 3000 OPS against us.

Odd. I wonder why they would do that. Because they plan on having another deal done before then, thus allowing them to have a mega-conference about all the moves. or because they're trading A-Ram for Jerry Hairston Jr. Not funny.

Odd. I wonder why they would do that.

It was around page 40 (premium), but I said it back there and I'll say it again: There are positives and negatives to Soriano, but we are a better offensive team right now than at any point in the last 2 seasons. If the payroll stays near the luxury tax threshold, his contract won't be as onerous as it would be with a $100m payroll. He's not going to be an on-base guy, but SLG% was a need and he will provide slugging. Good sign at an inflated price is how I'm looking at it. There's still money and, more importantly, tradable assets with which to further improve the team.

Baker shouldn't feel anything. He had the most talented Cubs team in history assembled for him in 2004 and came up short.

It's passed the Matsuzaka thread. I actually meant the hits for the day. Just wait until contract details are confirmed. This thread is going to be top 3 easy. There are also a number of people who only come to NSBB during the weekdays. Yeah. Goony hasn't even seen this yet.

It's passed the Matsuzaka thread. I actually meant the hits for the day. Just wait until contract details are confirmed. This thread is going to be top 3 easy.

What's the luxury tax threshold, now? $140m?

Buy low. 2006 was an anomaly for Crisp. He's a good player entering his prime, and he's undervalued. Eyre and Izturis for Crisp.

This has been a really interesting conversation. I'm not necessarily all about declaring myself in one camp or another, but there are some positives here that the anti-Soriano camp are missing, and some negatives that bear mentioning. Soriano didn't really get more patient last season. He showed an increase in BB's that was heavily influenced by IBB's. He also set a career high in K's, and while he also set one in p/PA, it wasn't like a huge increase. I have doubts that his swing will age well as he loses bat speed, and I have severe doubts about his ability to ever improve his palte discipline. Also, his contract is obviously very risky. Even 6/$90m with options is a lot of money for someone who's not even the best offensive player on your team. If he plays RF, that's the toughest OF position in Wrigley. That bears watching. On the other hand, Soriano will provide one of the 2 things the Cubs offense was lacking: SLG%. He's not going to be an on-base maven, but he will slug. I would be stunned if he hit less than 35 HR's. If he puts up his career averages we're a much better offense right now than we were at any point in 2005-6. Depending on other factors, the Cub offense will improve to at least 2003 levels, and come close to 2004 levels depending on other moves. The fact that we signed him means we now have some flexibility with the tradable assets we still hold. We have 4 relievers, Jones, Izturis and some minor league players with which to deal. Assuming we still are looking for a CF, Boston could move Coco Crisp for Izturis and Eyre, and I'd take that deal. I'm also assuming Hendry will also look to deal for a starter. Given the lack of quantity and quality in the FA market, Hendry seems to have done a halfway decent job of maximizing the cards in his hand. Of the 4 best offensive FA's, we retained one and brought a second in. 2/4 is not half bad. I don't think this move should be judged solely on Soriano's plate discipline. Even supporters of this move should concede that it's terrible and not likely to improve. Likewise, his contract is bad, but at least for the first 3 years we should get good production from him. I'm thinking that this is an overall positive for the team, but it's not all that clear cut. Should it be clear cut for $17m per? Maybe it should be, but the Cubs are not in a position to pick and choose. I'd have been happier with Drew, but am okay with this.

So this is done or very near done? I've yet to read anything saying it's official...

Bruce Miles challenges your statement. And Mr. Miles probably has the best access to Hendry of all the beat guys.

If it's 6/$95m with 2 option years, that's a much better looking signing.

I thought it best to lay low during the Baker Fallout Tour. Yeah, those were fun times. You missed a great ARam thread, though. Much swearing abound.

At least in 6 years market inflation will make this deal look less insane. :D Has market inflation made ARod's deal look good? Personally, I never thought ARod's deal looked that bad, considering he was a SS at the time. I think ARod is still a very special player. Wow, JC! Welcome back!

Wha? :shock: Considering Bruce has pretty good access to Hendry, that's interesting. RF is the toughest OF spot in Wrigley.

The play calling certainly seemed preseason-esque...

Why not develop Pie as a corner guy? Why not shift Soriano when Pie is ready? Murton?

Why not develop Pie as a corner guy?

At least in 6 years market inflation will make this deal look less insane. :D Has market inflation made ARod's deal look good? No. But that was only 5 years ago. :P

At least in 6 years market inflation will make this deal look less insane. :D

The quick/slip slant was there the entire game, too. Hopefully they can identify that on film and make sure they can exploit it.

One other thing to consider is that if you subscribe to the theory that lineup construction doesn't affect overall run production, we're not going to suffer because Soriano hits 1st. His SLG% has ticked up over the last 3 seasons.

He also set a career high in SO's with 160, which was a 22% increase from 2005. It's the SLG% that I like. I'm not going to really think that he's found patience and plate discipline at age 30.