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Cubs sign Soriano - Hope for the future?
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cubfanindy
Major Leagues
Joined: 29 Jul 2006
Posts: 174
Location: Indianapolis, IN
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 Posted: Mon Nov 20, 2006 5:34 pm Post subject: Cubs sign Soriano - Hope for the future? |
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Well, I have to say, this is one I was pulling for. I really didn't expect the Cubs to drop the money for him, and I certainly didn't expect it to be THAT kind of money. 8 years, $136 million is pretty crazy. It's the largest contract in Cubs history and I believe the fifth largest in baseball history. Again, I am stunned that the Cubs spent the cash, particularly with the tribue company up for sale.
I'm glad to have Soriano in a Cubs uniform, but I'm not a fan of 8 year contracts. That's insane. What's to keep a player motivated? It's no coincidence that players show a spike in their performance in a contact year. With an eight year contract, there isn't much incentive to raise the bar on your game. Unless of course, the Cubs are contending. Let's face it though, there's still some work to do there. I'd like one more solid starter, and I still want something to be done about that middle infield. I'd personally be all for moving Soriano back to second. He prefers it there, and it helps my fantasy baseball team, so that should be reason enough.
Remember Sammy Sosa's long term contract? Remember how the Cubs couldn't even give him away in the end? They wound up practically handing him to Baltimore, picking up most of his contract in the process, and getting only utility man Jerry Hairston Jr. in return. In the end, Sammy Sosa was a washed up prima-donna has-been star. who owed a huge chunk of his success to cheating (corked bat, anyone?) and steroids. He turned on his teammates and the fans, and the Cubs were stuck with him, under a monster contract and a player no one wanted. Do I think Soriano is going to be like Sammy Sosa? No. Not at all, but let's face it, back in 1998-1999, no one thought Sammy Sosa was going to become the guy he became.
That being said, it's not my money (although it will surely show up in the price of tickets), and I'm thrilled to see the Cubs actually make some moves. There's still work to do, but this gives me some hope for 2007 and beyond. |
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indyboiler
Double-A
Joined: 30 Aug 2006
Posts: 35
Location: Indianapolis
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| Posted: Tue Nov 21, 2006 10:13 pm Post subject: |
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| I don't know much about Soriano other than hearing his name mentioned alot on espn during the season. Sounds like his natural position is second base? What does his bat bring to the table? |
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cubfanindy
Major Leagues
Joined: 29 Jul 2006
Posts: 174
Location: Indianapolis, IN
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| Posted: Mon Dec 04, 2006 8:44 pm Post subject: |
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Second is his natural position, and its where he wants to play. He made it clear before he went to the Washington Nationals that he did not want to play the outfield, that he wanted to remain at second base. He even went as refuse to play for awhile in the spring, when the Nationals forced him to play left field. Eventually, he came around (it was either play left field or don’t play), and made the switch. He was atrocious at first, but improved.
The truth of the matter is that Soriano isn’t that great defensively no matter where you put him. He’s probably less of a defensive liability at second than in the outfield however. You want him for his offense. He hits for average, power, and steals bases. This past season, he hit 46 home runs and stole 41 bases. He’s only the fourth guy in history to do that, after Alex Rodriguez, Barry Bonds, and Jose Conseco, and we know Conseco and Bonds used steroids.
Right now, according to Cubs.com, it looks like Jacque Jones would be moved to center, with Murton and Soriano at the corners. |
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