Cubs to go after Soriano, C. Lee, and Schmidt

by VS on Oct 17, 2006 8:48 AM CDT Comment 79 comments

With Piniella on board, Hendry will quickly try to furnish his superstar manager with a star-studded team. Sources said the Cubs have identified potential free agent Alfonso Soriano -- whom they view as a center fielder and leadoff hitter -- as their primary target in rebuilding a team for Piniella

The Cubs have also put power-hitting left fielder Carlos Lee, who has expressed a strong desire to make Wrigley his home, and right-handed pitcher Jason Schmidt on their winter wish list of free agents.

Good stuff. They seem determined on getting Soriano, at least. Though if the Cubs sign Carlos Lee I'll...I'll...well, I wont do anything. But I'll be pissed.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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I'd rather.....

overpay Soriano a little, then trade A-Ram and Hill for A-Rod. If we got Soriano I don't want Carlos Lee either. I think Murton will continue to improve his power numbers with each passing year. Now if we can't get Soriano, then I'm ok with getting Lee. I'll take Schmidt or Zito.

A pitching rotation of:

1)Zambrano
2)Hill
3)Prior(if healthy)
4)Schmidt
5)Miller
Doesn't sound too bad. In a year from now, Gallagher and Veal may be ready for the big-show. Veal has very good stuff. He reminds me some of Willis, Left-hander with a 91-94 fastball, and a good slider, to go along with a little funky motion that seems ti keep hitters off balance. Not as funky as Willis, but nevertheless effective.

by Macy on Oct 17, 2006 9:03 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Alfonso Soriano

is going to cost $90 million. Jason Schmidt seems insistent on going home to play for the Seattle Mariners, who have reported strong interest in striking a deal with him. Carlos Lee? Noooooooo. Lee is a 275 pound DH in the making. There is no way you can put Carlos Lee in left and Alfonso Soriano in center. More likely in my book is Soriano in left, Pierre in center and Matt Murton and Felix Pie used to acquire pitching help.

by BlueMike on Oct 17, 2006 9:11 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hey Mike63, please inform me of

the last article you "read" regarding Jason Schmidt? I am curious as to where and when he stated he didn't want to make the most money possible...

Hey, I love Ryan THE RIOT too....but he ain't Ryne Sandberg yet! He's not even Ryan Freel yet!

by TheBeerBaron on Oct 17, 2006 10:19 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

As....

much as it pains me.... He is accurately reporting the info on Jason Schmidt wanting to go to the Mariners. I will look for the article....

he hath no fury like a cubs fan scorned

by timeforachange on Oct 17, 2006 10:38 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh, I have read all summer

reports that Schmidt wants to pitch in his hometown of Seattle......I would just like to see a direct quotation in which Schmidt speaks so highly of the Emerald City....and why Mike63 is so insistant [from OTHER WRITERS WORK] that Schmidt is "guaranteed" to turn down the CUBS $$......

Hey, I love Ryan THE RIOT too....but he ain't Ryne Sandberg yet! He's not even Ryan Freel yet!

by TheBeerBaron on Oct 17, 2006 10:58 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Guarenteed....

no.... However, it is the same kind of talk that ofter hits this page.... Players taking a hometown discount....

he hath no fury like a cubs fan scorned

by timeforachange on Oct 17, 2006 11:11 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Very true....It does still happen

look what it did for Griffey. Even though it wasn't really a "discount". Those a**holes in Cincinnati had the nerve to "boo" him, when he was hurt! Not saying the Schmidt situation would be in many ways similar, just bringing it up ;)

Hey, I love Ryan THE RIOT too....but he ain't Ryne Sandberg yet! He's not even Ryan Freel yet!

by TheBeerBaron on Oct 17, 2006 11:17 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It has been

reported all over the place that Schmidt would love to sign with Seattle.

As a matter of fact, the Giants were not the highest offer that Jason had the LAST time he was a free agent.

You have just as much access to google as anyone else. Stop being so lazy.

by jazzman56 on Oct 17, 2006 4:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I prefer Yahoo! for one...

Two, I would just like to see direct quotation from Jason Schmidt's mouth in which he states that Seattle is his preference to pitch......and not just from SF or Seattle's version of Paul Sullivan or Jay Mariotti either.

Hey, I love Ryan THE RIOT too....but he ain't Ryne Sandberg yet! He's not even Ryan Freel yet!

by TheBeerBaron on Oct 17, 2006 4:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

There are plenty of direct quotes

out there, from both Jason and his agent. Good luck in your search.

by jazzman56 on Oct 17, 2006 6:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hmmmm

So no more Pierre. Am starting to think that Pierre was mostly a Dusty pickup.

If the Cubs get Schmidt & Soriano, they can take the NL. I'll be shocked if they even get one.

GET SORIANO!

by CubFaninCA on Oct 17, 2006 9:11 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

"I'll be shocked if they even get one"

Well, that makes two of us......

Any way you slice it though, hopes are starting to rise on the North Side though!

Hey, I love Ryan THE RIOT too....but he ain't Ryne Sandberg yet! He's not even Ryan Freel yet!

by TheBeerBaron on Oct 17, 2006 10:20 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think the biggest concern

is that De Luca [Sun-Times] states that the CUBS want Soriano as a CFer??? Did I miss something here?

Hey, I love Ryan THE RIOT too....but he ain't Ryne Sandberg yet! He's not even Ryan Freel yet!

by TheBeerBaron on Oct 17, 2006 10:21 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

With McFail gone

perhaps there's a shot at a top tier free agent for a change. Still not going to hold my breath tho....

GET SORIANO!

by CubFaninCA on Oct 17, 2006 11:09 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Lee in left Field...

I'm afraid of what Carlos Lee might look like three years from now, but I think that is beside the point. He's a needed middle of the lineup hitter (and they are limited this year) with average defensive skills playing in a small park half the season. He'll do for now. You sign him if you can. Try not to overpay. Keep the NTC open enough to move him to the AL when the time comes, and enjoy the ride. Well, till the counter hits 290.

by Damen Jackson on Oct 17, 2006 9:30 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

If....

... Soriano is signed, you could easily keep Matt Murton in LF, because you would then be getting corner OF production from your center fielder. I believe Soriano could handle CF with little difficulty. He'd surely have a better arm than Pierre.

by Al on Oct 17, 2006 9:34 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I wouldn't say "little difficulty"

Soriano did not have a great year in left as some seem to think. Yes, he has an arm but looking at the defensive numbers doesn't give the full picture. There were a number of potential outs that he turned into hits rather than errors because it was misplayed so badly that he didn't get a glove on it. It is a guarantee that he'll turn the wrong way more than once and turn an out into a double or triple. I'm not really comfortable seeing him in CF but we'll see if the Cubs can sign him first.

by rlpete on Oct 17, 2006 9:45 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Are you more comfortable with....

adequate defense from Pierre and rare outmaking ability?

or Soriano making you a little uncomfortable in the field and hitting 40 bombs with great OPS?

by ontheuptick on Oct 17, 2006 9:49 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The Cubs...

... need both pitching and offense. Soriano, who I was skeptical about a year ago, has clearly improved his hitting game. Sign him if you can.

by Al on Oct 17, 2006 9:55 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Very true!

Pierre is hardly a real good defensive center-fielder. I'll take his 40 bombs and 360 OBP over Pierre's crappy OBP. Oh, did I mention Soriano stole 40 bases as well this past year. HUM, Pierre's base-stealing ability, plus 40 homers, higher OBP, stronger arm, etc. I say sign him up. He'd fill several of our big holes, which is why he's the most attractive FA for the Cubs.

by Macy on Oct 17, 2006 9:58 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't know if 46 HR is going to be a yearly

expectation....but I wouldn't mind 35!

Hey, I love Ryan THE RIOT too....but he ain't Ryne Sandberg yet! He's not even Ryan Freel yet!

by TheBeerBaron on Oct 17, 2006 10:29 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm not saying don't sign him

I'm just saying don't slot him for CF. Defense does matter especially in the key positions. Look at how many games Cedeno messed up in August and September with bad fielding plays and trying to throw someone out at home.

Let's see what happens with Murton and Jones. Maybe trade Jones and let Soriano try RF. He has the arm and his misplays wouldn't be as critical there. Or could Jones play a respectable CF compared to Soriano? Getting Jones' arm out of RF would be a help.

by rlpete on Oct 17, 2006 10:03 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Defense is very important...

and Sweet Lou, whether you hate him or like him, stresses fundamental baseball more than any coach I've seen. He will absolutely light a player up who doesn't make smart plays, and that's one of the things I do like about Lou. How many dumb plays has this team made the last several years? We could've won 10 to 15 more games last year just by playing fundamentally sound baseball. I for one am tired of seeing bad baserunning, outfielders not hitting cutoff men, infielders dropping more balls than I care to remember, and so on. Lou will rip their asses for those kinds of things, and quite frankly I have no problem with it.

by Macy on Oct 17, 2006 10:10 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes

but Soriano is still learning the outfield. He did give it a solid effort this past year in LF but he will make mistakes because he is learning. Sticking Soriano in CF and then yelling at him is not going to make him a gold glove outfielder. It's also not likely to motivate your new $90 Million dollar player.

I'm not against signing Soriano but let's be realistic about where he plays. At best, he should play a corner outfield spot not CF or 2B. Just because he is fast doesn't mean he can play CF.

by rlpete on Oct 17, 2006 10:26 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Jones..

could move over to center field, and Soriano to right or left field. Jones doesn't have an arm, but neither did Pierre. Jones does run down balls pretty well. But yes I see what your saying. Jones could do OK in center.

by Macy on Oct 17, 2006 10:31 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

No offense....but that's a terrible idea...

Jones in CF??? Wow, and people complain about Pierre in CF!!!

Hey, I love Ryan THE RIOT too....but he ain't Ryne Sandberg yet! He's not even Ryan Freel yet!

by TheBeerBaron on Oct 17, 2006 10:37 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Why is that any worse

than Soriano in CF? It's not that I like the idea but I think I would prefer Jones in CF over Soriano. Jones does have adequate speed and he has played CF before. Soriano struggled at times in LF and a lot of people want to see him moved to CF.

Personally, if the Cubs sign Soriano, the best bet would be to trade Jones and play Soriano in RF and get a real CF'er.

by rlpete on Oct 17, 2006 11:03 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Jacques in CF

no....god no....wtf...please no.

"I respect the mind's power over the body, it's why I do what I do" - Dr. Jonathan Crane

by Faith plus 1 on Oct 17, 2006 11:06 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Everyone is missing the point

My point is that Soriano has never played CF. He struggled to play LF this past season. Why would anyone sign him and move him to a tougher postition?

The Nationals were not contending last season so they had nothing to lose. If the Cubs sign Soriano, they are trying to contend now. So why do you start the season with a completely untried player in one of the more critical defensive positions?

I would definitely consider either Murton or Jones in CF before Soriano. At least they are experienced OF'ers. Speed does not make a good OF'er by itself. If anyone doubts that, they must be too young to remember Lonnie Smith. He was fast but he didn't even belong in LF. I don't remember anyone wanting him to play CF. I'm not saying Soriano is that bad but I don't want him in CF. Incidently Smith also had one season with 18 assists in the OF. A high assist total doesn't necessarily imply a good fielder.

by rlpete on Oct 17, 2006 11:23 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Answer is the won't

In my opinion, Soriano will insist upon playing left field. He knows his payday won't be compromised by no longer being a 2nd baseman and he's not about to undertake yet another position switch when he has all the leverage in the world. Shifting from left field to center field is a big switch. The elements of reading the ball, getting a jump on the ball, and doing something with the ball once you catch it are different at both positions.

by BlueMike on Oct 17, 2006 11:38 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Huh??? You think Jones' arm is terrible from RF

Imagine him trying to cover more area in CF??? Ugh...no thank you...at least Soriano could make a throw from middle-depth CF and hit Barrett on a fly.......Jones would give it the old Johnny Damon 12 hop special!

Hey, I love Ryan THE RIOT too....but he ain't Ryne Sandberg yet! He's not even Ryan Freel yet!

by TheBeerBaron on Oct 17, 2006 11:15 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

And

Soriano will have to make a few more throws as he will definitely misplay more balls into hits.

Bottomline, none of them are CF'ers. If the Cubs do sign Soriano, they have to do something to clear the corner OF logjam.

by rlpete on Oct 17, 2006 11:27 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

No way

Moving Murton to CF and putting Soriano in LF would be better.

"Incidentally, Colossus was right and I was wrong about Maddux being dealt." -Al Yellon

by colossus on Oct 17, 2006 10:46 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Why?

Jones is not a center fielder, but why would you want Murton in center over Jones. Jones runs balls down better, and has some experience at the position. I think Murton in center instead of Jones if it came to that point is stupid.

by Macy on Oct 17, 2006 11:16 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I could see

Soriano in center over Jones, but not Murton over Jones.

by Macy on Oct 17, 2006 11:18 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I am quite sure that Colossus was being

sarcastic.....Murton is worse defensively than Jones.....although his arm may be a bit stronger.

Hey, I love Ryan THE RIOT too....but he ain't Ryne Sandberg yet! He's not even Ryan Freel yet!

by TheBeerBaron on Oct 17, 2006 11:18 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Th BeerBarron said it.

Murton is able to throw the ball to the cutoff guy without it having to bounce after thirty feet.

"Incidentally, Colossus was right and I was wrong about Maddux being dealt." -Al Yellon

by colossus on Oct 17, 2006 1:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

God no

Matt Murton is strictly a left fielder, and not a very good one at that. Jacque Jones is a left fielder playing right field. Neither Murton or Jones is capable of playing a sufficient center field.

One of these days, some of you will realize the importance of ADEQUATE DEFENSE instead of being solely focued on those wondrous offensive stats printed on the backs of your bubblegum cards (IN MY OPINION).

If Soriano becomes a Cub, then in my opinion that signals the end of Matt Murton in a Cub uniform. Soriano will demand to play left and Murton isn't a candidate in either center or right.

by BlueMike on Oct 17, 2006 11:41 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Define Terms

You said "Matt Murton is strictly a left fielder, and not a very good one at that".

Define your terms. From a statistical perspective, Murton is, in fact, one of the better fielding left fielders in the game. He's near the top in range, fielding percentage and zone rating. Your statement is "correct" only if it means that only the best left fielder is good, the rest are not very good. Now you are entitled to hold such an opinion, but you should also recognize that such an opinion is not rational nor based on fact.

by frustratedfan on Oct 17, 2006 1:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sigh

Facts facts facts.

Murton put up a better second half of the season than C. Lee did. Signing C. Lee means that we get production no better than we would get from Murton at THIRTY TIMES THE COST thereby hamstringing picking up a player that can actually help the team.

If they sign C. Lee, it means that they are committed to PR and satisfying the feather headed jackabouts that make up a major portion of the Cub fan base and not committed to winning.

by frustratedfan on Oct 17, 2006 10:04 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

as a feather headed jackabout...

...normally I'd take offense, but I just found my old kaleidoscope and the bright and shiny won't let your negativity bring me down.

eat me catuli!

by theprognosticator on Oct 17, 2006 12:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'll be......

Shocked if they don't get one of Lee, Soriano or Schmidt. Not saying I agree or disagree with it. Hendry's under fire to land someone like those three. Oh, and aren't some of you the ones who said last year we shouldn't pay what the Dodgers offered Furcal, then during this past season critsize Hendry for not being willing to overpay for Furcal to get a real good player? I know many on here who said this. Hendry has made plenty of mistakes, but I must say he's in a no-win situation with signing free agents this off-season. If he overpays Soriano or Schmidt or Lee he'll be criticized by many fans who claim they want to win now, but won't support any moves to bring in talent. Others, will critisize him for not overpaying someone this offseason to bring in more talent, instead of putting pratically the same team on the field from last year's team. I'm no Hendry supporter, but he's in a no win situation.

by Macy on Oct 17, 2006 9:34 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I agree Al..

And I love Murton. I think he'll be a Brian Giles lookalike before it's all over. I just don't think he fits the profile for Piniella and a time sensitive management team. Too young. Not enough power. Leaving you to wonder about a sophomore slump. And we may have to respect putting him in a 4th OF role, or dealing him as part of the P-I-N-I-E-L-L-A package. Personally, I'd like it if they kept him.

by Damen Jackson on Oct 17, 2006 9:41 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I've always thought...

... a right-handed Paul O'Neill for Murton, a guy who has 20-something HR power, hits for a high average, draws walks. I doubt he'll ever hit for as much power as Giles did in his prime.

I think we'd take that.

by Al on Oct 17, 2006 9:47 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

money saver

keeping Murton also allows the Cubs to direct funds towards more pressing needs, like pitching and perhaps another bat.

by jman on Oct 17, 2006 9:55 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

we could definately take that

just need to make up the power somewhere else, which you could argue we do at catcher.

by mike bornemann on Oct 17, 2006 10:23 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Al,

I can't believe I agree with you about something. I think Soriano can play center just fine. We don't need to get power hitting in left field if we got Soriano, and could keep Murton who will only get better. Soriano would fill a lot of needs.

by Macy on Oct 17, 2006 9:48 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Correct!

Also, if you could do this, it'd help: when you are replying to a specific comment, click "Reply to This" -- that'll help them thread better. Thanks.

by Al on Oct 17, 2006 9:49 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Lord yes..

I'd take it happily. Well, here's to hoping that Soriano becomes the primary position player target then.

by Damen Jackson on Oct 17, 2006 9:56 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Getting a power hitter would be great

I just don't see the point unless we can add a good/really good/great arm somehow.

I'm not going to count on Prior to do as anything more than a towel boy ever again. With our luck, Hill will go down or back to sucking and then we'd be stuck without another dominant pitcher besides Z.

I don't see us getting Schmidt, he'll go straight to Seattle and that's that. Trading for Willis without having to give up Hill is our best bet. Then we'd have:

Z
Willis
Hill
Miller
Prior/young guys who aren't trade to Florida

I'm still not sold on Soriano and part of me would rather get the Cub Killer C-Lee. Yes, he's fat and we'd have to move Murton to CF, I just think we won't have to overpay through the ears like for Soriano and that'll leave us able to fix other places (like getting a new SS or moving Theriot to SS and getting a new 2B).

"Incidentally, Colossus was right and I was wrong about Maddux being dealt." -Al Yellon

by colossus on Oct 17, 2006 10:17 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

And

I don't see how we could get Willis without giving up Hill. He and Pie are the two guys Florida would first ask for.

"Incidentally, Colossus was right and I was wrong about Maddux being dealt." -Al Yellon

by colossus on Oct 17, 2006 10:26 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

the list of interested teams for Willis would be very long. I can't see how Hill would not be part of any deal.

by rlpete on Oct 17, 2006 10:28 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Does this mean...

...they're planning on keeping Theriot at second?

by cwyers on Oct 17, 2006 10:35 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Most likely.

Which sadly points to Izturis starting at SS.

"Incidentally, Colossus was right and I was wrong about Maddux being dealt." -Al Yellon

by colossus on Oct 17, 2006 10:37 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Let's

wait and see what happens first. I'm not so sure its a definite Theriot will start at second(although that's not a bad idea if we had a good SS). I like Theriot better than Izturis.

by Macy on Oct 17, 2006 11:25 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'd be a fan of

signing Loretta to play 2B and put Theriot at SS if we could only get a new power hitter for the OF.

Izturis could sit in the bench and Cedeno could go back to that wicked boring place known as Iowa. I doubt we'll be able to trade Izturis, so I'm not expecting that to happen.

"Incidentally, Colossus was right and I was wrong about Maddux being dealt." -Al Yellon

by colossus on Oct 17, 2006 1:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It is more of a necessity to land a

left handed hitting 2B......Adam Kennedy, in my eyes, is already on the CUBS...he just doesn't have a contract yet.

Hey, I love Ryan THE RIOT too....but he ain't Ryne Sandberg yet! He's not even Ryan Freel yet!

by TheBeerBaron on Oct 17, 2006 1:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh, man...

... I hope you're wrong.

by Al on Oct 17, 2006 1:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I hope so as well.

"Incidentally, Colossus was right and I was wrong about Maddux being dealt." -Al Yellon

by colossus on Oct 17, 2006 1:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh, I have been praying that I am wrong

for awhile now.....but doesn't it seem like the most "logical" [Hendry] move?

Hey, I love Ryan THE RIOT too....but he ain't Ryne Sandberg yet! He's not even Ryan Freel yet!

by TheBeerBaron on Oct 17, 2006 1:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

If the Pinella signing

implies they are going for it now which it sure seems like it, I would expect that Theriot will not be the starter. I wouldn't be surprised to see a veteran 2B man signed.

by rlpete on Oct 17, 2006 11:14 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Exactly

what I was thinking as well.

If we ARE going to go hard after both Soriano AND Lee - Why not Lee in LF and Soriano at 2B then? Move Jones to CF and Murton to RF.

Theriot can be a Freel type play anywhere guy. Can't he?

by airweino on Oct 17, 2006 11:37 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I hope Lee doesn't sign with the CUBS

We don't need another decent hitting OFer with no defensive talent.

Hey, I love Ryan THE RIOT too....but he ain't Ryne Sandberg yet! He's not even Ryan Freel yet!

by TheBeerBaron on Oct 17, 2006 11:40 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

To tell you the truth, I will be stunned if Jim Hendry goes very hard after Carlos. He doesn't fit for lots of reasons...DH in the making...yet another right handed bat when what this team needs is a left handed thumper to complement the others...huge contract demand. If Carlos were smart, he'd sign with an American League team.

by BlueMike on Oct 17, 2006 11:44 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

And the defense would be atrocious

Lee in LF, Jones in CF, Murton in RF, Soriano at 2B plus Barrett at C? Why not just bring back Cedeno at SS and be done with it.

by rlpete on Oct 17, 2006 12:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Unless that "Jones" in CF is Andruw ;)

Not bloody likely though ;)

Hey, I love Ryan THE RIOT too....but he ain't Ryne Sandberg yet! He's not even Ryan Freel yet!

by TheBeerBaron on Oct 17, 2006 12:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

What are you smoking?

You actually think we stand any chance whatsoever to get both Soriano and C-Lee?

"Incidentally, Colossus was right and I was wrong about Maddux being dealt." -Al Yellon

by colossus on Oct 17, 2006 1:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

the more I keep smoking...

...yes, yes I do.

C-Lee AND Soriano.

And we will have corn chips to boot.

eat me catuli!

by theprognosticator on Oct 17, 2006 1:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe you should

keep smoking until you can add Zito, Scmidt, and Matsuzaka to our roster as well.

"Incidentally, Colossus was right and I was wrong about Maddux being dealt." -Al Yellon

by colossus on Oct 17, 2006 1:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

lol...

I think that we should all just post the following and learn to get used to it....

Daisuke Matsuzaka Seibu Lions
Daisuke Mtsuzaka New York Yankees

Hey, I love Ryan THE RIOT too....but he ain't Ryne Sandberg yet! He's not even Ryan Freel yet!

by TheBeerBaron on Oct 17, 2006 1:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

d'oh

obviously the second spelling of Matsuzaka is missing the first "a".....

apologies.

Hey, I love Ryan THE RIOT too....but he ain't Ryne Sandberg yet! He's not even Ryan Freel yet!

by TheBeerBaron on Oct 17, 2006 1:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yep

Either that, or the Seattle Mariners.

by BlueMike on Oct 17, 2006 1:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Way ahead of you chief...

PINIELLA!

by theprognosticator on Oct 17, 2006 1:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Soriano in CF

CF is easier to play than the corners as long as you have speed. it's the weird angles off the bat that a former infielder has to get used to right away. Alfonso would be more than decent in CF. He should be the main target on offense no matter what it costs. 2 starting pitchers must be signed. The Cubs could afford Soriano and Zito. the money is there. do it. NO TO CARLOS LEE.

by cashcowsquirtingsourmilk on Oct 17, 2006 1:41 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

If we spent that much cash

on Soriano and Zito, there's no way we'd be able to add anyone else that isn't a very low second, or high third tier player. Our rotation would be:

Z
Zito
Hill
Miller
Prior/Marshall/some other young guy

That's assuming we resign Miller, which we should do bc he says he wants to be here and he'll most likely be very affordable bc the majority of his pay would be via incentives (like $4m guaranteed with $5m in incentives). Our lineup would be:

C Barrett
1B D Lee
2B Theriot
SS Izturis
3B A-Ram
OF Soriano
OF Murton
RF Jones

Some people say Soriano should be CF and Murton LF, others say the opposite, so I'll just leave it at OF bc it doesn't really matter right now. We could get A-Ram to sign a deal that's backloaded, giving us more cash to spend this year and him still getting the money he deserves. Who knows what will happen with Pie. He could be traded as part of a package for pitching (Willis maybe?) or a better guy for SS (or 2B and just move Theriot to SS bc I really hate Izturis). And we all know if that happens Soriano will tear both his ACL's while sleeping, with Z, Zito, and Willis all blowing out their arms while getting dressed, and Pie will win Rookie of the Year at his new team while we're stuck with another wretched, athletic abortion of a season.

"Incidentally, Colossus was right and I was wrong about Maddux being dealt." -Al Yellon

by colossus on Oct 17, 2006 4:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Soriano in CF

I'd be excited if this were next years team which isnt saying much:

Murton lf
Soriano cf
Jones rf
Ramirez 3b
The Riot 2b
Lee 1b
Barret C
Someone other than Neifi,Cedeno,Izturis? ss

rotation:
Z
Hill

hey, hey, cubs win.

by cubbyblue137 on Oct 17, 2006 4:48 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Oh to add on to that......

I'm not gettin my hopes up.

hey, hey, cubs win.

by cubbyblue137 on Oct 17, 2006 4:49 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Soriano in Center, Redux

I wouldn't rule anything out with Soriano, but the only available semi-direct read (from the Washington Post's beat reporter) suggests he would prefer not to play in center:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/discussion/2006/09/19/DI2006091900960.html

Washington, D.C.: If Soriano were to play the outfield for some team, wouldn't his skills (lots of speed with a not-so-hot fly ball tracking ability and a strong arm for an infielder) be more of a fit for CF than LF? Seems Johnny Damon and a few others get by with less. He will never be Edmonds or Hunter (well, Jim Hunter maybe), but isn't it easier to get a LF with pop than a CF?

Barry Svrluga: Yeah, but I talked to him about this, and he's not crazy about the idea. For one thing, he feels more comfortable going to his left than his right, which is why he plays closer to the line. And he doesn't like the idea of having to be the captain of the outfield, manning two gaps.

Does he have the physical tools to do it? Probably. But I think the better bet is just to get him to become a better left fielder next year -- whatever city he plays in.

by 08Cubs on Oct 17, 2006 6:18 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs