Soriano had a great April/May last year...

by Hookers or Cake on Apr 17, 2011 11:26 AM CDT

Soriano's 2010 By Day/Month	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	HBP	SO	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
April	72	11	21	7	1	3	11	8	0	15	1	0	.292	.358	.542	.900
May	91	18	28	9	1	6	16	9	1	26	2	0	.308	.376	.626	1.002
June	77	12	18	6	0	4	11	9	0	19	1	0	.234	.310	.468	.778
July	80	9	18	3	0	5	17	4	1	23	0	0	.225	.271	.450	.721
August	94	13	23	9	1	3	14	3	1	22	1	1	.245	.273	.457	.730
September	71	4	15	5	0	3	9	9	0	16	0	0	.211	.300	.408	.708

His good start this year was one of my fears... he'll get a little dinged up and fall into a prolonged slump at some point but still hit an occasional homerun (enough to keep him in the lineup). He's a liability in the field and on the basepaths. He can only swing that giant bat of his as hard as he can. He looks for a pitch to drive regardless of the situation, never shortens up and never adjusts his swing.

A nice guy, but a barely adequate 35 year old DH who is making 17 million a year until the end of 2014. God I hope he hits lights out and the Cubs can unload him on the Yanks or some stupid AL team.

Poll

Who do you want to see the FEWEST at bats in 2011?

Alfonso Soriano

11 votes

Koske Fukudome

70 votes

Tyler Colvin

29 votes

110 votes | Poll has closed

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.

Tweet Comment 60 comments | 1 recs |

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Comments

Viva la Cubs Révolution!!!

by Chanman25 on Apr 17, 2011 11:28 AM CDT reply actions

Normally, I'd complain about no title on a pic

But I won’t this time.

"Who ever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" -Frank Chance
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root

by Clutch16 on Apr 17, 2011 11:54 AM CDT up reply actions

those pics are so hard to look at...poor horsey :(

"Well-behaved women seldom make History"---Laurel Thatcher Ulrich

by cooliogirl47 on Apr 17, 2011 1:17 PM CDT up reply actions

looks more like a kangaroo

Bob Brenly on Leo Nunez "Dan Uggla just saved Nunez’ life because Koyie would break him into a million pieces"

by Zakh on Apr 17, 2011 1:49 PM CDT up reply actions

I'd say camel

Viva la Cubs Révolution!!!

by Chanman25 on Apr 17, 2011 2:06 PM CDT up reply actions

Llama

by Danwood on Apr 18, 2011 11:20 AM CDT up reply actions

Yeah I know but

I was tired of seeing “Hey Soriano is looking really good this year,” posts. He looked good last year in April/May.

by Hookers or Cake on Apr 17, 2011 11:31 AM CDT reply actions

Would you prefer if he sucked?

Or are you just saying in no April/May should we give Soriano any credit regardless of what he does?

by californiachicagoan on Apr 17, 2011 12:31 PM CDT up reply actions

I think it's pretty obvious what he's saying

If you have a problem with it, perhaps offer an actual rebuttal instead of just obstinance.

I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers

by Nunyabidness on Apr 18, 2011 5:38 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

Riiight. Obstinance is ...

… being happy with a player on your team having a hot start. As opposed to believing that a hot start being “one of [the poster’s] fears”. Thats not obstinately holding onto one’s negative judgement of a player even though current evidence is against it.

by californiachicagoan on Apr 20, 2011 2:18 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

i like that he is hitting breaking balls and going opposite field....

I am not too excited like that kid who made a post the first time he had an Oppo RBI double, but it is a good sign to me

Bob Brenly on Leo Nunez "Dan Uggla just saved Nunez’ life because Koyie would break him into a million pieces"

by Zakh on Apr 17, 2011 1:50 PM CDT up reply actions

Sigh...

…I guess we just can’t be happy with his performance so far?

Nobody cares about your fantasy baseball team

by carmen_fanzone on Apr 17, 2011 11:33 AM CDT reply actions 4 recs

Nope, youth has spoken

"When they signed Fukudome, I knew they were trying to get me fired". - Ron Santo, January, 2008

by BeerCub on Apr 17, 2011 2:16 PM CDT up reply actions

He looks for a pitch to drive regardless of the situation, never shortens up and never adjusts his swing.

I don’t think that’s actually borne out by the evidence. He went opposite field (OPPO) twice yesterday, he’s working his at bats, and he’s laying off of (some) of the low outside sliders.

The salary is a sunk cost. Forget about the salary. Even if we did trade him, we’d end up paying a big chunk of it anyway, and frankly, the guy has got the highest OPS+ of his career right now. (Yes, yes, small sample size.)

He’s playing well RIGHT NOW. Ride the hot hand. But I think Soriano may play like this all year. He simply LOOKS different, both at the plate and on the field.

Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.

by drewishdrewid on Apr 17, 2011 11:51 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs

if I'm reading his stats right, I think....

he’s already surpassed the RBI’s that he had in Apr ‘10 and he’s had 5 HRs as opposed to 3. I’m not a big fan but I feel I’m seeing a different player this year——wishful thinking? :)

"Well-behaved women seldom make History"---Laurel Thatcher Ulrich

by cooliogirl47 on Apr 17, 2011 12:00 PM CDT reply actions

maybe he just needs a few more off days to keep his legs fresh..

he is getting pretty old, but who knows

Bob Brenly on Leo Nunez "Dan Uggla just saved Nunez’ life because Koyie would break him into a million pieces"

by Zakh on Apr 17, 2011 1:52 PM CDT up reply actions

There's no way he will be traded.

Not only is he under contract for four more seasons, he’s defensively limited. At this point, someone is no doubt about to mention Vernon Wells — but Vernon Wells isn’t a left fielder who should be a DH.

by elgato on Apr 17, 2011 12:19 PM CDT reply actions

He's a left fielder right now

The Angels have rookie Peter Bourjos in center field. Wells is in left and Torii Hunter plays right. Wells has three gold gloves for center and Hunter has nine for center, but…..

"When they signed Fukudome, I knew they were trying to get me fired". - Ron Santo, January, 2008

by BeerCub on Apr 17, 2011 2:19 PM CDT up reply actions

Something Len and Bob pointed out last night

Soriano isn’t wagging/wobbling the bat in his hands as much as he was last year. Could be a reason why he’s being more consistant this year. Guess we’ll have to wait and see

"Baseball is almost the only orderly thing in a very unorderly world. If you get three strikes, even the best lawyer in the world can't get you off." ~ Bill Veeck

by Musicdude10 on Apr 17, 2011 1:11 PM CDT reply actions

I don't understand...

why one would “fear” a hot start from a Cub player. Makes no sense.

This post is ridiculous. Everyone knows he struggles defensively and has a massive contract. Not much to be done about the contract at this point, but it should be pointed out that Soriano was second in OPS on the Cubs last season, third in OPS+, and third in WAR. Doesn’t justify what he makes, but he was one of the best Cub players last season regardless.

You also assume he’ll get dinged up, but it should be noted that Byrd was the only player to play in more games last season than Soriano.

Worth his contract? No. “Barely adequate”? Not so much.

by Kansas25 on Apr 17, 2011 8:54 PM CDT reply actions 5 recs

The reason I feared Soriano's hot start is that he'd keep Colvin out of the lineup

Soriano’s OPS the last 3 seasons vs Right handed pitching

08’ .779
09’ .767
10’ .764

Colvin and Fukudome were .813 & .804 vs righties last year and both are better in the field and smarter players. I’d like to see them start vs. RH’s

by Hookers or Cake on Apr 18, 2011 12:42 AM CDT reply actions

2011 OPS vs. RHP

Colvin: .730
Fukudome: .810
Soriano: .857

And Colvin is sitting? Outrage!

"Who ever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" -Frank Chance
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root

by Clutch16 on Apr 18, 2011 1:22 AM CDT up reply actions

I believe this is a pretty prime example of a post that needs

“small sample size” attached to it.

I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers

by Nunyabidness on Apr 18, 2011 5:40 AM CDT up reply actions

I wouldn't disagree

But the point is that Soriano has been hot and Colvin, well, hasn’t. If the kid can get untracked and start hitting again, it’s a totally different story, but for now, the hot hand is definitely not Colvin.

"Who ever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" -Frank Chance
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root

by Clutch16 on Apr 18, 2011 7:11 AM CDT up reply actions

And the argument to that is

How the hell is he going to get hot if he’s sitting more often than not?

AND that Soriano “hot” is showing power, but still not hitting for much average.

I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers

by Nunyabidness on Apr 19, 2011 11:10 AM CDT up reply actions

One game later OPS vs RH

Its Colvin .786
Soriano .793
Fukudome .800

by Hookers or Cake on Apr 19, 2011 9:01 AM CDT up reply actions

Hence the "small sample size"

comment. Hell, if Colvin gets another double and Soriano goes hitless, will Clutch reverse his position?

I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers

by Nunyabidness on Apr 19, 2011 11:11 AM CDT up reply actions

Soriano is not going to sit for 4 years

until his contract runs out. People that hope for this are delusional. Yes Soriano is overpaid but he will be starting as long as he is healthy.

Besides I also think he is better than Colvin. Colvin had a good year last year but I still don’t see him as major league regular.

John Grabow: $4.8 million in 2011.

by rlpete on Apr 18, 2011 8:20 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

Nice job!

Formatting that chart, I mean. It looks fantastic.

Contributing Editor, SB Nation Chicago. Please follow us on Twitter!

by daver on Apr 18, 2011 11:00 AM CDT reply actions

They're a real PITA on SBN, ain't they?

"Who ever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" -Frank Chance
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root

by Clutch16 on Apr 18, 2011 3:15 PM CDT up reply actions

But Colvin is 25! Soriano is 35...

All I’m tryin to point out is that we KNOW what Soriano is. Sure he can get hot. but over the past 3 FULL seasons he has failed to be above average hitter vs RH and at 35 no longer a plus on the basepaths and he’s never been a plus in the field or in his baseball IQ.

Colvin is 25 – and what he may or may not be, we don’t really know yet. But last year hit hit RH better than Soriano has and he’s better in most every other facet than facing LH’s

My opinion is that an outfield of Colvin, Byrd, & Fukudome vs RH gives the Cubs the best chance to win. I want the Cubs to win.

Sure realistically Soriano isn’t go to be a back-up – but I’d like to see him have a 100+ fewer AB’s vs righthanded pitching and I’d like to see Colvin get those chances and experience.

by Hookers or Cake on Apr 18, 2011 11:33 AM CDT reply actions

Colvin's already gotten 43 plate appearances.

Compare that to Barney (47) and Pena (49). In other words, Quade seems to be working him into the lineup fairly regularly and would/will probably play him in left if/when Soriano goes ice cold. I don’t think you have to worry too much about this.

Contributing Editor, SB Nation Chicago. Please follow us on Twitter!

by daver on Apr 18, 2011 11:51 AM CDT up reply actions

This is an absolutely ridiculous statement

My opinion is that an outfield of Colvin, Byrd, & Fukudome vs RH gives the Cubs the best chance to win.

Here is each of those outfielders, and their projected wOBA for 2011:
Colvin: .317
Fukudome: .336
Byrd: .333
Soriano: .344

You may dislike Soriano, and wish him to fail, and hate his contract, but the fact is that he’s still our best offensive outfielder.

by Wreckard on Apr 18, 2011 1:50 PM CDT up reply actions

Of course ...

Colvin is much better defensively than Soriano.

But I agree with you. Colvin looks just terrible, and Soriano is hitting well. Until that changes, I wouldn’t make a change.

by elgato on Apr 18, 2011 2:10 PM CDT up reply actions

To me they're about a wash

I realize defensive metrics need to be taken with a grain of salt (and sample size is an issue with Colvin), but they’re about even by a lot of measures. Soriano’s even better by some.

It’s not like we’re comparing Manny to Willie Mays on defense here.

by Wreckard on Apr 18, 2011 2:38 PM CDT up reply actions

Did you just argue that Soriano is better based on a projection?!

btw Soriano, Colvin, Fukudome pretty much all 3 had identical wOBA last year.

by Hookers or Cake on Apr 18, 2011 2:27 PM CDT up reply actions

Yes I did

We’re not concerned about the past, we’re concerned about the future. A projection is a better source of information about the likely future performance of a baseball player than a random internet post from a dude with the screen name “Hookers or Cake”.

by Wreckard on Apr 18, 2011 2:33 PM CDT up reply actions

I projected Rick Wilkins to have a monster year in 94'

and I’m sure we all remember the first time Sammy didn’t swing at a slider in the dirt.

besides I’m talking LH vs RH splits

What are the projections vs righties?

by Hookers or Cake on Apr 18, 2011 2:59 PM CDT up reply actions

You didn't project squat

You predicted.

Words mean things.

What are the projections vs righties?

You know, you don’t have to depend on other people to answer simple questions for you, there’s this great site called Google you should try. Because I am kind, I’ve looked this up for you. His projections vs righties are:
VS R
AB H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO
334 85 21 1 16 49 24 79

So that’s a .254 BA, .304 OBP

VS L
AB H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO
126 33 8 1 6 18 13 30

Or a roughly .261 BA, .330 OBP.

by Wreckard on Apr 18, 2011 3:23 PM CDT up reply actions

Well we're all projecting but thats a thread for a different forum...

So you don’t think Colvin can better Soriano projected numbers vs RH? and if they are a wash you don’t think Colvin is a better fielder? With more upside?

by Hookers or Cake on Apr 18, 2011 4:39 PM CDT up reply actions

the point is

you ride the hot hand.

Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.

by drewishdrewid on Apr 18, 2011 5:02 PM CDT up reply actions

Maybe, no, and no

I think Colvin will get worse not better. He’s Corey Patterson – too lacking plate discipline and to incapable of handling a major league breaking ball to repeat his early success.

I actually wrote a blog post here about it:
http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2010/9/23/1707155/the-real-corey-patterson-part-deux

And no, we’re not all projecting. I’m not projecting either. Baseball Think Factory is projecting, with their ZIPS system. That’s what I posted – their projection. Not mine.

You saying that you think so and so is going to have a good year is a prediction, not a projection.

by Wreckard on Apr 19, 2011 9:25 AM CDT up reply actions

I was trying to make a psychological projection joke...

but I failed! =)

and yeah Colvin may be the next in a LOOOONG line of failed cubs outfielders… But we don’t really know yet. I hope to find out this season because barring a complete collapse he’s gonna be our starting RF in 2012.

The whole point of this entire post was to remind people Soriano started REALLY HOT last year before he sucked for 4 straight months. He sucked the year before that. At 35 I don’t buy that he wont suck most of the year again. Now if he could field or still run I’d say ok. But he can’t so why compound a bad decision (the contract) by not playing to his strengths?

by Hookers or Cake on Apr 19, 2011 11:24 AM CDT up reply actions

Yeah, you also seem to be...

…confusing “predictions” made by individual fans with “projections” made by bona fide projection systems such as ZIPS.

Contributing Editor, SB Nation Chicago. Please follow us on Twitter!

by daver on Apr 19, 2011 9:45 AM CDT up reply actions

that was last year.

Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.

by drewishdrewid on Apr 18, 2011 2:43 PM CDT up reply actions

Me too

His good start this year was one of my fears.

Yeah, one of the things I was most afraid of this year was that one of our players would start out playing baseball really well.

You seriously dislike Soriano so much that you’d prefer he did bad? Honestly – that attitude is typical of a lot of Cubs fans, who seem more excited to watch him fail than succeed.

by Wreckard on Apr 18, 2011 1:45 PM CDT reply actions

lol

Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.

by drewishdrewid on Apr 18, 2011 2:19 PM CDT up reply actions

Let me reword it for you

My fear is that Soriano hitting a handful of homeruns early masks the fact that he is no longer an above average player vs right handed pitching.

I’d love it if he proved me wrong and had a great year or 3 – he seems like a great guy and a mentor to the young Dominicans on the team.

by Hookers or Cake on Apr 18, 2011 2:37 PM CDT up reply actions

So you're afraid he's going to strain himself?

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by daver on Apr 18, 2011 3:19 PM CDT up reply actions

he just might!

I’m just surprised that people think he’s a better option than Koske & Colvin

even against right handed pitching?!

by Hookers or Cake on Apr 18, 2011 4:36 PM CDT up reply actions

Right now, he is.

Colvin looks lost.

by elgato on Apr 18, 2011 4:48 PM CDT up reply actions

You seem really caught up on this splits thing.

For his career, Soriano doesn’t have extreme splits either way (.375 wOBA vs. LHPs & .353 wOBA against RHPs). Yes, obviously, he’s 35 and likely declining. But, so far this season, he’s doing just fine — at least in terms of power. Sure, in an ideal world, I’d love to see a young player like Colvin get a long look in left field, but that’s just not the reality on the ground. Again, Colvin will get plenty of playing time. (Oh, and it’s “Kosuke,” not “Koske.”)

Contributing Editor, SB Nation Chicago. Please follow us on Twitter!

by daver on Apr 19, 2011 9:42 AM CDT up reply actions

well Soriano's splits over the last 3+ years are startling

.285 .361 .544 .905 vs LH last 3 years
.250 .308 .461 .769 vs RH last 3 years

We have 2 LH outfielders who have better numbers vs RH and they play better defense. I’d start em. And if they bring in a lefty for either or Pena – pinch hit Soriano or Baker or even the baseball player formerly known as Reed Johnson.

by Hookers or Cake on Apr 19, 2011 11:36 AM CDT up reply actions

oh and add the tiny 2011 sample

.313 .389 .688 1.077 vs LH
.227 .244 .477 .721 vs RH

by Hookers or Cake on Apr 19, 2011 11:39 AM CDT up reply actions

I see what you mean...

…but I’m still not particularly concerned about this.

Contributing Editor, SB Nation Chicago. Please follow us on Twitter!

by daver on Apr 19, 2011 12:30 PM CDT up reply actions

I like this thread.

It’s been a fun read.

by Arbusto on Apr 19, 2011 9:59 AM CDT reply actions

I agree.

This has been a great read. Really gets me thinking too.

I mean Starlin Castro. The guy is hitting like .400. And this worries me because we know he’s not going to hit .400 all year ad his getting all these hits might be covering up that fact. Plus he’s made errors. Errors at SS no less. Now Darwin Barney hasn’t made an error at SS. and he could you know, potentially hit .400. We don’t really know. So why not sit Castro and play Barney at SS. Barney just gives us the best chance to not make errors at SS and possibly hit .400Yeah…….I’m gonna obsess about this. Never mind our top 2 pitchers have ERA’s around 6 and one of our lefty hitters are hitting regularly…..I’m gonna worry about this.

And of course Soriano. Because, well, look at how convincing the argument has been.

"I can't be held responsible for what I personally tell my goons to do...."- C. Montgomery Burns

by yahoodi on Apr 20, 2011 4:58 AM CDT reply actions