July turnaround month for Soriano

by Ivy Walls on Jul 28, 2009 4:09 PM CDT

Since July 1st when Piniella began to establish his control over the Soriano situation as in the most powerful Manager’s tool; determining where and when a player can play, the Cubs are:

16-7 (currently in a 5-game win streak and 9-2 run) and have moved into First Place in their division.

Soriano who did not play July 1st and 2nd (Fuld played LF and led off both games against the Brewers, went 4-8 (2-BB, 3-R’s) where upon Soriano was the lead off hitter the last time on July 3rd going 0-5.

From then on, July 4th, Soriano was dropped to the 6th spot in the lineup Soriano is:

26-71 (.366-BA, 9-Runs, 4-2B’s, 4-HR’s, 13-RBI’s, 5-BB’s, 17-K’s, .407-OBP and .619 SLG’ng or 1.026-OPS!)

Furthermore this move has resulted in other effects since July 4th on two key players:

Fukudome is 19-66 (.289-BA) , 8-Runs, 5-2B's, 2-3B's, 1-HR, 10-BB, 7-K's .365-OBP,

Bradley is 13-45 (.289-BA), 9-Runs, 1-2B, 2-HR's, 6-RBI's, 16-BB, 12-K's, .475-OBP

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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Comments

and all this time we thought Soriano couldn't hit anywhere else in the lineup...

because he wasn’t “comfortable” anywhere else but leadoff.

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Jul 28, 2009 4:16 PM CDT reply actions

precisely but Piniella had to wait for the right time to establish the fact that

he was going to tell him where and when to play. Now he is responding like a superstar. That issue is now pretty much dead. Soriano is in the power slot of the lineup.

Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."

by Ivy Walls on Jul 28, 2009 4:27 PM CDT up reply actions

What I don't understand is why

Lou had to wait so long for the right time to tell Sori where he was going to hit.

The “right time” to tell Sori where he was going to hit was precisely when Lou decides that Sori would benefit (or hurt the team less) in a different role or slot in the batting order. That “right time” was long before July 4th, IMO.

"Respect" ~ Ryne Sandberg

by gwood on Jul 28, 2009 4:48 PM CDT up reply actions

when is the right time to tell an addict to stop

when they hit bottom. Emotionally Soriano believed he needed to lead off. Timing is everything for they are not robots and he does have a $18M contract. But when finally it was determined he was hurting the team Piniella acted.

It is a successful act and Soriano was the hero last night. Go to Johnson’s blog and Cubs are now beginning to play to win the game and not work their career stats.

Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."

by Ivy Walls on Jul 28, 2009 5:07 PM CDT up reply actions

Streaky Soriano

I can’t think of any Cub ever, who is as streaky as Soriano is. The only one I can think of that was even close was Andre Dawson. Dawson could go through some really bad stretches when his knees were bothering him more than they normally did. Not even Dawson would go through hot and cold stretches to the same degree that Soriano does.

"The big possums walk late." - Harry Caray

by memphiscub on Jul 28, 2009 4:49 PM CDT reply actions

I can't think of any major league player that is as streaky as Soriano

by cufban2522 on Jul 28, 2009 4:51 PM CDT up reply actions

I can, Dempster.

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Jul 28, 2009 4:53 PM CDT up reply actions

this year, big time

for both soriano and dempster

by cufban2522 on Jul 28, 2009 4:58 PM CDT up reply actions

That's so disturbing

Yet I can’t staring.

"That pitch wasn’t down and in, that pitch was down and up." Tim McCarver

by wrigleyrocker12 on Jul 28, 2009 5:18 PM CDT up reply actions

you know you like it

wells4roty

by jesus christos on Jul 28, 2009 5:18 PM CDT up reply actions

Sorry

Keep staring

"That pitch wasn’t down and in, that pitch was down and up." Tim McCarver

by wrigleyrocker12 on Jul 28, 2009 5:18 PM CDT up reply actions

If only...

I could get this made into a Fat Head

by TuscaniLove on Jul 28, 2009 6:14 PM CDT up reply actions

But Soriano wouldn't have made the catch Hoffpauir did.

DFA!

Soriano wouldn’t have made the catch Wise made for Buerhle.

DFA!

Soriano hot dogs it too much when he hits a walk off homerun.

DFA!

"Pounding sand since 1982...."

by cubswynn on Jul 28, 2009 5:14 PM CDT reply actions

I didn't see that

"You can't take life to seriously, you don't get out of it alive"

by wild bill on Jul 28, 2009 5:15 PM CDT up reply actions

These are just some of the complaints...

… I’ve read on BCB about Soriano since he’s gotten hot.

"Pounding sand since 1982...."

by cubswynn on Jul 28, 2009 5:20 PM CDT up reply actions

I've learned

That people here will always find ways to criticize him, and as one of his biggest supporters here, I’ve learned to just let it go.

"That pitch wasn’t down and in, that pitch was down and up." Tim McCarver

by wrigleyrocker12 on Jul 29, 2009 10:27 AM CDT up reply actions

Nice post Ivy.

Where are all the folks out there that misapplied Sori’s stats to say that he couldn’t hit anywhere else in the lineup? I don’t care what he did 4 or 5 years ago, Lou finally made the switch and stuck with it this time and now…what do you know…it is working. We have a leadoff guy with a good OBP and Sori is now hitting the ball from the 6th spot.

Now I’m excited about not only our prospects for the season, but for the playoffs too. Lou gets props (albeit belatedly) for making the change.

Say this much for big league baseball - it is beyond question the greatest conversation piece ever invented in America. ~Bruce Catton

by KaliCub on Jul 28, 2009 5:37 PM CDT reply actions

Good job except you left one thing out

The impact Ramirez has had on Soriano. I really think he put too much pressure on himself over this and that’s why he’s been stressing.

by ak123 on Jul 28, 2009 5:44 PM CDT reply actions

Bravo!

The return of a big time hitter into the middle of your lineup almost always has a positive effect on the other hitters.

A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject.
--Winston Churchill

by lookingdeadred on Jul 29, 2009 8:08 AM CDT up reply actions

Piniella has

ALWAYS determined when and where Soriano played. This is ridiculous to suggest otherwise.

I’m glad Soriano is hitting well in the 6 spot, and I was wrong to suggest he shouldn’t be moved.

Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.

by drewishdrewid on Jul 29, 2009 10:28 AM CDT reply actions

don't be so confident

coaching and managing comes with handcuffs be it in college with scholarships or professional with contracts. In that realm there are important egos and perceptions or superstitions.

Managing them is what makes for HOF coaches and not managing them makes for forgotten employees.

Soriano came here as a lead off hitter, signed as a leadoff hitter and played himself out of that position.

Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."

by Ivy Walls on Jul 29, 2009 12:49 PM CDT up reply actions

Soriano

has always said that he would bat where Lou told him to bat. Lou was never willing to stick it out with him long enough to see him actually improve. That’s still on Lou.

Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.

by drewishdrewid on Jul 29, 2009 4:29 PM CDT up reply actions