Bleed Cubbie Blue: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:

Around SBN: Check out our NFL Scoreboard: scores, schedule and blogs Bar-right-arrows

Well.

Yelloncard_tiny by Al on in News

I've been watching the Bears shut out the Jets and away from my computer, so I just now learned of the Cubs' signing of Alfonso Soriano to an estimated 8-year, $136 million contract, which would by far be the richest contract in club history.

As I said in the title of this post: Well.

Well, well, well. For all of you who constantly complained that the Cubs never signed a top-tier, big-name free agent, now they have done so.

Is he the RIGHT guy for the slot that needs to be filled? Clearly, he has been signed to lead off and play center field, a position he has never before played. It will be a learning curve for him, but there's spring training to work on that -- and you can bet that at that sort of money, he won't be refusing to play a position, as he did briefly last year with the Nationals.

Soriano has been known as a free swinger throughout his career, though he significantly increased his walk rate in 2006. If he were coming here under Mr. Hackamatic, Dusty Baker, I'd worry about him breaking Adam Dunn's season K record.

But the Cubs have a new batting coach, Gerald Perry, who helps preach patience at the plate, and I don't see any reason why Soriano couldn't continue to do what he did last year. His 2006 splits show that he hit for a better average outside of Washington, and had almost equal power (.561 SLG at home, .558 on the road).

Yes, by year 6 or 7 or 8 of this deal, it'll look like an albatross. But if the Cubs really can shore up the starting pitching, suddenly they have three major power threats (Lee, Ramirez, Soriano) and one minor one (Barrett, if he's not dealt). The lineup's far better than it was a year ago.

Congratulations, Jim Hendry. I think. If nothing else, he just created a big-name buzz for the 2007 Cubs.

UPDATE [2006-11-19 15:29:14 by Al]: Please! I know you're excited. There's a diary started before I got a chance to post, and this main-page post, on Soriano. Let's keep the Soriano talk to those two threads, please, at least for today. Thanks.

0 recs | Comment 346 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Display:

If nothing else...
Hendry's making sure he isn't booed out of the Convention this year.
PINIELLA!

by theprognosticator on Nov 19, 2006 3:12 PM CST   0 recs

BTW, SOMEONE NEEDS TO CHANGE THEIR SIGNATURE!
There's a new open spot available!
PINIELLA!

by theprognosticator on Nov 19, 2006 3:13 PM CST   0 recs

I stand by mine!
Check out my daily baseball blog at MLB-threeSIXTYfive

by TheBeerBaron on Nov 19, 2006 3:33 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

d'oh....
I forgot that I advertise my blog on here now......it used to say

DeROSA!!!

Check out my daily baseball blog at MLB-threeSIXTYfive

by TheBeerBaron on Nov 19, 2006 3:34 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

LOUUUUUUUU
IS THIS ALL LOU??  THANK YOU LOU!!  KEEP IT COMING!!

by dtpollitt on Nov 19, 2006 3:13 PM CST   0 recs

no
I heard he was signing with the mets

by cubfan1023 on Nov 19, 2006 3:35 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

lol...
I giggled...
PINIELLA!

by theprognosticator on Nov 19, 2006 3:37 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Me
too
WOOD!

by gravedigger on Nov 19, 2006 3:49 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

If anything...
I agree with Al right away.  You have three big hitters intact for the next 3 years at least.

Now let's move to Carlos Zambrano.

by MerigoldBowling on Nov 19, 2006 3:18 PM CST   0 recs

Z?
What do you mean "move to Zambrano"?

by Snake Plissken on Nov 19, 2006 3:20 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

i think
meaning, lets extend our silver slugger
DON'T TRADE PIE!

by kylejo on Nov 19, 2006 5:41 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Here's hoping.
It'd be nice to get at least another 5 years on him (assuming his Internet elbow doesn't flare up again).

He's our ace now, and we have to assume he will be for years to come. Even if Prior or Wood makes a miraculous complete recovery, Z's still the fire of this staff.

by HanOfTheBluegrass on Nov 19, 2006 10:17 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

2 big bombshells 2 weeks in a row...
...and here I thought there wouldn't be anything done for another couple of weeks or so.
PINIELLA!

by theprognosticator on Nov 19, 2006 3:18 PM CST   0 recs

I have a feeling we get two more guys this week.
Not necessarily a Drew or big pitcher (though it wouldn't shock me), but rather we may see some FA pickup as a backup, or a couple more trades involving a guy like Cedeno, Bynum, or some of the relievers etc.

It looks like Hendry has decided to just beat the market to the guys he wants (what I was hoping for with Soriano, and so far so good). Instead of risking a bidding war where someone else makes a more attractive offer (Soriano said he maybe wanted to stay on the East Coast), Hendry's just going to offer a huge number and a promise of big things fast.

We are about due for more pitching announcements, though, and it wouldn't surprise me if it's an Igawa bid or a Marquis pickup (not huge, as neither is an ace). There's still too many maybes in the rotation (Z, Hill, Cotts? Prior/Mateo/Marshall/etc). We need at least one more definite. I'd love for it to be a big name (Willis would be a hilarious addition), but will settle for someone like Marquis.

by HanOfTheBluegrass on Nov 19, 2006 10:22 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Soriano
Soriano is no leadoff hitter. He has too much power and over the course of his career has had a far too small OBP. Yeah, he had more walks last season, but I still say he's a 3-4-5 hitter, emphasis on 4-5.

The Cubs need to spot someone else in leadoff. In house options are Murton, DeRosa, or Theroit. They won't steal many bases, but as long as they get on in fornt of Lee, Ramirez, and Soriano who cares?

My opening day lineup for 2007 (as of now):

LF Murton
2B DeRosa
1B Lee
3B Ramirez
CF Soriano
C Barrett
RF Jones
SS Theroit (i don;t know if he's ever played short)
P Zambrano

That's a potent lineup.

I still want the Cubs to persue Lugo, but with the size of Soriano's cintract, and the need to sign at least one starting pitcher, I don't know.

by Snake Plissken on Nov 19, 2006 3:18 PM CST   0 recs

I defer to the poster who said...
...that there's no way the Cubs make this move and don't have something in the pipeline for pitching.

Pitching's next.

This signing blows away whatever we thought the limits were for the Cubs and what they may or may not do.

In the words of that crazy spying scientist in those lawnmower commercials:

This...changes everything.

PINIELLA!

by theprognosticator on Nov 19, 2006 3:22 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Yes, it sure does.
Here is the first note on the Cubs website on this signing.

And make no mistake -- Soriano will lead off. He's led off most of his career. I don't see that changing.

If he can match the .351 OBA from 2006, I'll be very, very happy with him.

by Al on Nov 19, 2006 3:25 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Me too, Al.....Me too......
Hopefully he steers closer to his 2006 OBP than his 2005.
Check out my daily baseball blog at MLB-threeSIXTYfive

by TheBeerBaron on Nov 19, 2006 3:37 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

::cries::
There goes TheBeerBaron's dream of Vernon Wells :(
Check out my daily baseball blog at MLB-threeSIXTYfive

by TheBeerBaron on Nov 19, 2006 3:38 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

better than a 5 year deal for Pierre...
...count your blessings brother.
PINIELLA!

by theprognosticator on Nov 19, 2006 3:39 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

I concur
this is light years beyond bringing Pierre back....there is a silver lining after all.
Check out my daily baseball blog at MLB-threeSIXTYfive

by TheBeerBaron on Nov 19, 2006 5:42 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Most Notably
Beneficial to the Cubs' tailor, who no longer needs to stuff paper around a dummy to create the Pierre jersey effect

by cubbybear on Nov 19, 2006 11:16 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Lead-off
Of course, I didn't think about that. If he's comfortable with it, give it to him.

phat

by phatass on Nov 19, 2006 4:11 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Leadoff
I don't care what he's done all his career, he's not a leadoff man, though I do understand your point Al. He is fast, and had a high OBP.

He hit 46 HRs and had 95 RBIs out of the leadoff spot (predominantly) for Washington last season. Those are not leadoff numbers, they're 4-5 numbers. Take those numbers and move him into the 3, 4, or 5 spot. You've got a lot more RBIs.

His OBP last season is much higher than his career norm. Will he fall back on his career norm? Who knows? The point is I'd rather have him hit like that with people on base in front of him. I hope Uncle Lou agrees with me.

by Snake Plissken on Nov 19, 2006 5:48 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Self Image
He wants to lead off. Move him down the lineup and he likely sulks and his numbers go down.
Throw Jacque Jones down the well, so the Cubs will be free...

by Ross on Nov 19, 2006 7:37 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

hahaha
i thought i was the only one who laughed my ass off whenever i saw those commericials and that crazy old dude say those words, classic.
DON'T TRADE PIE!

by kylejo on Nov 19, 2006 5:42 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

I agree
This is a lot of money for a bat. No we need to focus on some quality arms so we can take giant strides in 2007.
"Hello again, everybody. It's a bee-yooo-tiful day for baseball."- Harry Caray

by TkGoUWGB on Nov 19, 2006 6:09 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

I don't want deRosa
handed the 2-hole.

I would rather put Soriano there and do something like this:

LF-Murton
CF-Soriano
1B-Lee
3B-Ramirez
RF-Jones/ (hopefully) Craig Wilson
C - Barrett
2B - DeRosa
SS - Izturis

Now, if DeRosa comes out in ST and proves he deserves to be a starting second baseman in place of Theriot and that he has the OBP or Power to justify batting him high in the order, then by all means, bat him second.  But, I would not be too surprised to see DeRosa lose the 2nd base job to Theriot and see Piniella platoon him in right with Jones, which I would be fine with.

by tal1286 on Nov 19, 2006 3:23 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

2 spot
That was an assumption on my part, and what I would do if I had to now. We'll after Spring training.

by Snake Plissken on Nov 19, 2006 5:49 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Soriano
I agree that Soriano is not a proto-typical leadoff hitter, but the Rangers tried batting him down in the order once, and he did not take to it.  Bat him leadoff, it's where he likes to be, and work around that.  One of Dusty's biggezt mistakes was not putting people in a place to succeed.  If Soriano is best at the top, that's where he goes.

by SamFels on Nov 19, 2006 3:24 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Completely agree.
Put him where he succeeds.  I don't want him to get placed in a spot where he can't perform and everyone starts booing him.
"I don't talk. I just let what I do talk for myself." -Johan Santana

by sparkles721 on Nov 19, 2006 3:33 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

True
Good point. We'll see what happens.

by Snake Plissken on Nov 19, 2006 5:51 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

You're missing the obvious reason...
Soriano should leadoff to protect Zambrano when he's batting!

by HanOfTheBluegrass on Nov 19, 2006 10:24 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

does this...
...completely change the face of this team??  whos the leader??  the 136 million dollar man?  or the mvp, d.lee??  how good can we be??  this proves lou is serious now, doesnt it?  im shaking just thinking about it.

by dtpollitt on Nov 19, 2006 3:20 PM CST   0 recs

OF
COURSE LEE AND BARRETT ARE THE LEADERS

by tbizzle83 on Nov 19, 2006 3:22 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

This is no time...
...to do a Caps Lock bitch slap.

He was just wondering.

:)

 

PINIELLA!

by theprognosticator on Nov 19, 2006 3:23 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

lol
sorry wasnt yelling ITS JUST A GREAT DAY TO BE A CUBS FAN I EXCITED

by tbizzle83 on Nov 19, 2006 3:25 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Leader
Everything I've heard out of the clubhouse about who's a leader is that Lee is quiet, but leads by example. Barrett is more of the vocal leader.

by Snake Plissken on Nov 19, 2006 5:50 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Catcher's often are.
Which is one of the reasons I'm in the "Don't trade Michael" camp. Sure, Hank's good, but Barrett has felt like the heart for a while. He also slugged A.J. for what turned out to be a misunderstanding, which I approve of.

by HanOfTheBluegrass on Nov 19, 2006 10:28 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

I'm Fine With This
Now I don't feel bad for renewing my season tickets.

By the way, what's the deal with Theriot?  With DeRosa on board now and Izturis signed for another year at $4,150,000, is Theriot now a backup?  Or is he trade bait?  Or, I hope, will he be given the chance to win the job at 2B still?

by chasfh on Nov 19, 2006 3:24 PM CST   0 recs

If The Riot isn't kept as a back up
I will start a riot. No doubt.
"Hello again, everybody. It's a bee-yooo-tiful day for baseball."- Harry Caray

by TkGoUWGB on Nov 19, 2006 6:11 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Well, Theriot is probably IF #5...
But don't rule out an Izzy or Theriot trade. If a Lugo or someone is still on the Wish List, we could very easily still have a different infield.

by HanOfTheBluegrass on Nov 19, 2006 10:29 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

interesting to note...
...only years removed from another outfield slugger - sosa - we sign another strikeout king with a big head and supposed 5 tool player in soriano.

by dtpollitt on Nov 19, 2006 3:25 PM CST   0 recs

Sosa
If Soriano can OPS over 1.000 for four straight seasons like Sammy did from '98-'01, I don't care how big his head is, or whether he actually has five tools.

by gauchodirk on Nov 19, 2006 3:28 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Not a big head
I have actually heard he is a quite guy, pretty much keeps to himself.
"Harlem Furniture......You'll like our style!"

by Imtrejo on Nov 19, 2006 3:30 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

And that's my point
I don't think we need to worry about Soriano having a big head. I imagine he and guys like Ramirez will get along just fine.

by gauchodirk on Nov 19, 2006 3:32 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Quiet
He better be quiet in the locker room, and not a cancer, or Pinella may go bananas on him.... see altercation with Rob Dibble

by pmenadue on Nov 19, 2006 4:02 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Great
I hope you didn't hear that from his neighbors

by cubfan1023 on Nov 19, 2006 3:33 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

more on soriano...
...i havent watched a lot of soriano over the years, him being mostly an AL player until recently.  how did he get all those assists last year??  great arm or what??  if anyone here has watched a lot of him can yo ugive a quick summary on what you seen and like/not liked??

by dtpollitt on Nov 19, 2006 3:32 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

I live in DC
and have watched him a bit.  I think the assists came from the fact that he had a rep as a terrible fielder at 2B who was playing a new position (LF), so everyone tried to run on him.  So he had a lot of opportunities for assists.

What I liked about him most was kind of intangible, but he seemed to play in a different gear than anyone else on the field.  He is blazing fast and an aggressive baserunner.  He hustles.  He smacks line drives around the yard with authority.  He hit long, really long, home runs in RFK.

Also I think he got a bad rap for (inexcusably) refusing to play LF when the Nats acquired him. That was bad, but I read that it stemmed from him having no consistency in his life; I believe he left the Dominican as a teenager to play in Japan, then came to America as a SS for the Yankees, then was switched to 2B, then trader to the Rangers, then traded again to DC and asked to play a new position -- I think it was just to much for him.  As the season got going many Nats commented on how Alfonso was a leader on the team, a great clubhouse guy, and the hardest worker among them.

I think this is a guy we will like.  

by capitol cub on Nov 19, 2006 4:03 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Soriano
I only watched him once this last year at a park.
It was a game in Atlanta while I was on trip and they played the Nationals. I was REALLY impressed with him basically becuase it was a nothing game for both teams but Soriano was playing harder thn anyone out there on both sides. We lucked out getting this guy.
wccubfan

by wccubfan on Nov 20, 2006 3:34 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

don't forget...
 like sosa, he's got a killer smile that  the kids will love

by bmeteor on Nov 19, 2006 6:55 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

But can he hawk Pepsi?
Soriano and Matsuzaka are the biggest moves of this offseason (barring a trade with A-Rod or something like that), so he better be a good pitch man.

by HanOfTheBluegrass on Nov 19, 2006 10:31 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

I am concerned about the money
We may be locked into too long of a deal.  8 years!   That sounds scary.  $17 million for 8 years?!?  Please tell me there is a buy out after 5 or 6 years.
"Chuck Norris counted to infinity - twice."

by bringbackthebrownieelf on Nov 19, 2006 3:26 PM CST   0 recs

Kaplan continues to maintain...
...that the deal, all total would be worth 136MM, but a large chunk of that is in option years.

If so, then great deal.

PINIELLA!

by theprognosticator on Nov 19, 2006 3:28 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Soriano
had that little hissy fit in Spring Training last year because he thought that moving to LF would hurt his value in the free agent market this off-season.

Once it became apparent that it actually increased his value, he was fine with it.

Soriano will gladly play CF now that he's got the contract.  I think he can handle the position as well, at least in Wrigley Field.  Dolphin Stadium, Minutemaid Park and Coors Field will be adventures.

A little song, a little dance. A little seltzer down your pants

by Josh77 on Nov 19, 2006 3:29 PM CST   0 recs

Of those three parks...
... the Cubs play only one series in Miami and in Denver, and his speed may help him in those places.

Houston, indeed, will be an adventure for him.

by Al on Nov 19, 2006 3:34 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Houston
That park is an adventure for every CF, including Edmonds, whom I recall seeing fall flat on his face once on that damn hill out there. That hill is the dumbest thing in any of these new parks. And really, we see a ball reach the hill maybe once in the nine or ten games the Cubs play there every year.

by gauchodirk on Nov 19, 2006 3:36 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

I was about to say the same thing...
Even very good defensive CFs have a problem with that blasted hill.

And one thing I DO like is Soriano hitting against Houston pitching with that short porch in LF.

I like that a lot.

PINIELLA!

by theprognosticator on Nov 19, 2006 3:39 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Career in Houston so far...
... Soriano is .238/.256/.619. Yes, that's weird, but true. He has ten hits in 42 at-bats. Two singles, four doubles and four home runs.

by Al on Nov 19, 2006 3:46 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Also
Their pitching for those particular games could have been better than average.  Clemens has a fairly low HR/AB rate actually, even for an average park I believe.

by cubbybear on Nov 20, 2006 1:24 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

the only centerfielder
that I've seen do well at Minute Maid is Willy Taveras, the Astros' own. He's probably not consistent enough at the plate, but he's got such amazing speed that he can cover CF easily.

by false cognate on Nov 20, 2006 10:44 AM CST to parent up   0 recs

Can'tbelieve it
We finally landed the big one. I'm not concerned about the years because he was going to get that someplace else so if we wanted him, that was the going rate. And yes, I do believe he could be a Sammy after six years. We finally have done what was necessary to improve but all will be for not without the most valuable comodity in baseball: pitching. At least we might be able to score some runs to help "whomever" out! Nice job Hendry!

by mrcubsfan on Nov 19, 2006 3:31 PM CST   0 recs

The thing that worries me about his
new found discipline is that he was intentionally walked 16 times last season.  Coming into 2006 he had been intentionally walked 15 times his whole career.  If he does lead off for the Cubs, his OBP will drop because he will get pitched to.

by VS on Nov 19, 2006 3:35 PM CST   0 recs

Very good point...
Unless the Cubs also sign Drew for CF this team will probably finish last once again in walks. One leason still not learned it seems.

Luis

by Luis on Nov 19, 2006 3:47 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

How'd the 03 team finish in walks?
I only became a fan at the end of that season.

by HanOfTheBluegrass on Nov 19, 2006 10:33 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

That depends on...
... who bats second, doesn't it?

by Al on Nov 19, 2006 3:50 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Don't think so
Supposedly, lineup construction has little effect on individual performance.

by VS on Nov 19, 2006 3:51 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Al
Baseball is floating in cash, as mentioned before.  This years deals are going to nuts.   The early signings will be the cheap ones.
BTW,  I guess we won't have to worry about betting on the Cubs ticket sales the first weekend!   LOL!!!!

by cubswin on Nov 19, 2006 3:35 PM CST   0 recs

LOL!
That's the truth -- especially if there's a big-name pitching signing too.

by Al on Nov 19, 2006 3:46 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Way to go
Jim Hendry!
All the naysayers didnt think you could sign the big one...now get us some arms.

by this old cub on Nov 19, 2006 3:38 PM CST   0 recs

ive always despised the red sox/yanks...
...for spending millions on top of every other ball club to win.  i sort of feel bad we are heading that direction...but damnit, its almost 100 years.  time to buy a championship.

by dtpollitt on Nov 19, 2006 3:40 PM CST   0 recs

This is the
Market, we, Cubs, have finally acted like they belong in a Big market.
Throw out your Gold Teeth and see how they Roll

by Johnny Callison was a Cub on Nov 19, 2006 3:47 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

Don't feel bad.
Spending is fun!  That's why I love shopping.

I don't hate the Yankees because they spend.  I hate them because they win a lot and I'm jealous.  

"I don't talk. I just let what I do talk for myself." -Johan Santana

by sparkles721 on Nov 19, 2006 3:51 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

I agree
And if there was anyone worth spending on this year, it was Soriano (not DeRosa). This makes up for that signing.

by danimal15 on Nov 19, 2006 8:30 PM CST to parent up   0 recs

P-I-T-C-H-I-N-G
T-H-A-T
D-O-E-S
N-O-T
S-U-C-K
A-N-D/O-R
G-E-T
I-N-J-U-R-E-D
A-L-L
T-H-E
F
I-N-G
T-I-M-E
"Incidentally, Colossus was right and I was wrong about Maddux being dealt." -Al Yellon

by colossus on Nov 19, 2006 3:40 PM CST   0 recs

i was waiting...
...for you to join in.  nice post.  :)

by dtpollitt on Nov 19, 2006 3:41 PM CST to parent up   0 recs