Hoyer-Soriano likely a Cub to start 2012, Garza extension talk a possibility

Nothing Earth-shattering, but some interesting comments from Jed on ESPN 1000.

4 months ago Dcr18 48 comments 0 recs |

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Thanks for taking time to post it Dcr18

Short n interesting read. (Yes, “stuck” with Alfonso for the near-term future).

There are no facts, only interpretations.
Friedrich Nietzsche
Lets Go Theo!!! 10/13/2011

by jeffstorm2 on Feb 9, 2012 7:51 PM CST reply actions

12 minutes, not much new but interesting

The Stat Pack

by shoemile on Oct 21, 2011 10:10 PM CDT

by Madison Cub Fan on Feb 9, 2012 9:38 PM CST reply actions

the only thing for me is, how long have we heard

“its possible we’ll talk extension with Garza”…..well, why havent they already?

by MDavis on Feb 10, 2012 7:12 AM CST reply actions

can't imagine

garza would be too eager to sign on with this crew. they’ve been trying to trade him since they got here.

by John T. Unger on Feb 10, 2012 8:09 AM CST up reply actions

willing

They haven’t been trying to trade Garza. They’ve been willing to trade Garza. There’s a big difference.

On a related note, I’ve heard some people claim that players wouldn’t want to play for an organization that’s always willing to listen on anybody. It seems like that could go both ways. I mean, it could be frustrating or unsettling to know that the team might move you or your friends at any time, but I’d think it would be a pretty good thing for a player to see and hear that the organization is constantly evaluating how to get better.

What effect does anyone think that has on players?

by CJK on Feb 10, 2012 8:33 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs

i'm sure it totally depends on the player

i suppose if matt garza is a supremely secure and confident guy, he’s fine with it. some players seem to get irritated by that stuff though. they see it as a lack of loyalty or something.

by John T. Unger on Feb 10, 2012 8:53 AM CST up reply actions

Garza doesn't mind the trade talk

He even said so at the Cubs convention. He understands the business side of it.

"Just shut up and play" - Matt Garza
"Pain is inevitable, suffering is an option." - Dale Sveum

by RiskyBusiness on Feb 10, 2012 9:27 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs

And he's already been traded twice...

even before he’s used up his arbitration eligibility. So I would agree that I doubt the chatter fazes him much.

I would also imagine that Theo / Jed have at least clued him in to their plan of attack, whether that is “rent, don’t buy… you’re gone by the deadline” or “let’s talk extension… because we’ll have to be absolutely blown away to deal you”.

"Stuff like this is why they should shut off the internet."

by Orval Overall on Dec 17, 2010 1:19 PM CST

by fsuapollo on Feb 10, 2012 10:24 AM CST up reply actions

Because they've been shopping him.

Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.

by elgato on Feb 10, 2012 8:44 AM CST up reply actions

Sure. I believe you, Jed.

"I don't like to sound egotistical, but every time I stepped up to the plate with a bat in my hands, I couldn't help but feel sorry for the pitcher." -Rogers Hornsby

by Mapanator on Feb 10, 2012 9:24 AM CST reply actions

someone answer this for me....

what exactly is Jed Talking about here?

“We don’t want to do anything to hurt our pitchers, but we do believe there’s something left in Sori.”

So i you can give you can take it.

by epsilon on Feb 10, 2012 9:40 AM CST reply actions

Defense.

Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.

by elgato on Feb 10, 2012 9:50 AM CST up reply actions

ahhhh! now it makes sense...

So i you can give you can take it.

by epsilon on Feb 10, 2012 10:21 AM CST up reply actions

the lack of specifically from Soriano

I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren

by lookingdeadred on Feb 11, 2012 3:11 PM CST up reply actions

You have to read it in context with the preceding line

“Obviously it really comes down to defense and we’re hoping with some better conditioning and some better health, that he can be a little better out there.”

So the point is, Soriano was not good at preventing runs. That “hurts” the pitchers’ record and statistics. But they’re going to play him in LF anyway because they think he can improve and because they really have no other choice if they want to build his value for a trade.

by Orval Overall on Feb 10, 2012 9:51 AM CST up reply actions

yeah, context helps, i read the top part, was interrupted and came back and it made no sense...

thank you.

So i you can give you can take it.

by epsilon on Feb 10, 2012 10:22 AM CST up reply actions

"And no one has offered us anything in exchange for him."

by ClarkFan on Feb 10, 2012 10:37 PM CST up reply actions

Since today is apparently

All about Jed day, I propose that Jed’s dog start in Left Field. Range would be a Plus. Throwing arm about equal to Soriano. And he would definitely hustle out of the batter’s box.

"Just shut up and play" - Matt Garza
"Pain is inevitable, suffering is an option." - Dale Sveum

by RiskyBusiness on Feb 10, 2012 10:14 AM CST reply actions

i thought soriano

for all his faults, his arm was not one of them?

So i you can give you can take it.

by epsilon on Feb 10, 2012 10:23 AM CST up reply actions

all kidding aside

I think Soriano’s arm was considered good in 2007 and 2008. I am not sure if that is still true.

"Just shut up and play" - Matt Garza
"Pain is inevitable, suffering is an option." - Dale Sveum

by RiskyBusiness on Feb 10, 2012 10:39 AM CST up reply actions

It was elite in 2007 and 2008.

It’s still quite good.

by bdlugz on Feb 10, 2012 10:56 AM CST up reply actions

Doesn't seem like he's had any big outfield assists recently.

Hmmm …

Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.

by elgato on Feb 10, 2012 11:12 AM CST up reply actions

well, none in the offseason that i can remember....

So i you can give you can take it.

by epsilon on Feb 10, 2012 11:28 AM CST up reply actions

Got to get to the ball to throw someone out....

by ClarkFan on Feb 10, 2012 10:38 PM CST up reply actions

i wonder if that is due to less running on him

i dont know if that is true or just a thought, and i am curious as well

Condoms prevent minivans

by Cubbie-Tim on Feb 11, 2012 10:03 AM CST up reply actions

Sori

The article elludes to Sori working hard in the off-season. But, I would’ve really like to hear all offseason about how Soriano is working out like he’s a rookie, doing everything he can to get in great shape, new training, etc. I know its always B.S. but its nice to read. Not being entirely serious here, but you know what I mean.

by Mak19 on Feb 10, 2012 10:27 AM CST reply actions

Goodness we all hope so.

I mean him and Byrd are the vets so I hope Sori has a fountain of youth. We all can dream and hope.

by Grockcubs on Feb 10, 2012 11:08 AM CST up reply actions

"I'm in the best shape of my life."

Say it, Soriano!!! Say it!!!!

"[The Cubs] have a very famous tradition in baseball, and it will be nice to be part of turning it around." ~ Jamie Quirk, Bench Coach

by daver on Feb 10, 2012 11:40 AM CST up reply actions

All right. I'll say it.

We sucked ’cause Quade was too much of a p—-y wimp to let the kids go in there and show up those lollygagging bastards!

by CJK on Feb 10, 2012 12:08 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs

thats what I thought all last year

by TJ11 on Feb 10, 2012 1:37 PM CST up reply actions

Is he right?

‘Cause I know that’s the popular version of what went on there. And a lot of people like to believe that. I wish I could, but I was there. I wasn’t here on BCB, hoping I was right, thinking about it. I was up to my knees in injuries to my pitching staff, with replacement-level starters who didn’t work out! Going in the clubhouse, looking for Zambrano, slugging it out with him…while pu**ies like you were were out in the bleachers, putting those funny Kosuke hats on, drinking beers, and listening to goddamn Paul McCartney concerts!

OH! OH! OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!

"[The Cubs] have a very famous tradition in baseball, and it will be nice to be part of turning it around." ~ Jamie Quirk, Bench Coach

by daver on Feb 10, 2012 1:50 PM CST up reply actions 2 recs

Im interested on how Byrd will perform

He changed his diet and lost a huge amount of weight. He already could move pretty quickly for such a large player, I’d expect him to be quite quick now without that extra 30-40 pounds.

by Mitchener on Feb 10, 2012 1:13 PM CST up reply actions

Should help him turn on a fastball a lil better

Keeping my fingers crossed for a strong start, damn i love me some tradebait.

~Ronald Reagan has held the two most demeaning jobs in the country; President of the United States and radio broadcaster for the Chicago Cubs~ George F. Will

by unretrofied93 on Feb 10, 2012 4:14 PM CST up reply actions

Losing weight...

…as a hitter, doesn’t guarantee better performance.

The key question is this; Why was Byrd so out of shape, that he lost 30-40 pounds? That is a hell of a lot of weight.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Feb 10, 2012 4:27 PM CST up reply actions

Supposedly, it was his diet.

I don’t have a link, but there have been several articles written about this.

Join us for complete MLB coverage at SB Nation's Baseball Nation

by Al Yellon on Feb 10, 2012 4:43 PM CST up reply actions

Oh, wait...

…was he the player who said he discovered he had a wheat allergy or something like that?

"[The Cubs] have a very famous tradition in baseball, and it will be nice to be part of turning it around." ~ Jamie Quirk, Bench Coach

by daver on Feb 10, 2012 4:45 PM CST up reply actions

Yeah

Allergic to wheat and milk.

Also, he started a pretty intense Muay Thai training program.

linky

by CJK on Feb 10, 2012 5:10 PM CST up reply actions

Hm, very cool.

I’m guessing Alfredo Aceves is glad the Cubs aren’t playing the Red Sox again this year. (Uh, we aren’t, are we?)

"[The Cubs] have a very famous tradition in baseball, and it will be nice to be part of turning it around." ~ Jamie Quirk, Bench Coach

by daver on Feb 10, 2012 5:25 PM CST up reply actions

I believe the Red Sox visit Wrigley this year.

I don’t want to play golf. When I hit a ball, I want someone else to go chase it.

by cub in louies nest on Feb 10, 2012 6:15 PM CST up reply actions

I believe he gained some weight...

…after his injury because he couldn’t work out.

"[The Cubs] have a very famous tradition in baseball, and it will be nice to be part of turning it around." ~ Jamie Quirk, Bench Coach

by daver on Feb 10, 2012 4:45 PM CST up reply actions

That would be great if he did well, because if BJax is coming up in late May/early June, somebody needs to go.

Supporter of Carlos Austin Boozer, and I don't want to see Dwight Howard in a Bulls uniform. Call me crazy.

by wrigleyrocker12 on Feb 11, 2012 12:12 PM CST up reply actions

Soriano's "work" is generally over-rated

He hasn’t been willing to work enough to learn enough to play left field, he hasn’t been willing to work at laying off bad pitches. Lifting weights and running is fine, but at some point a guy has to work on his craft, too.

by ClarkFan on Feb 10, 2012 10:43 PM CST up reply actions

Now... I'm not a Soriano fan by any stretch of the imagination...

But Soriano, by all accounts, takes extra defensive drills with the coaches in order to help improve. It has been reported by multiple coaches and sources that he works very very hard on his defense. The fact of the matter is, he simply isn’t good in left field defensively. That is NOT because his work ethic is “over-rated.”

by bdlugz on Feb 10, 2012 10:59 PM CST up reply actions

There is no question that he works hard.

He also keeps himself in very, VERY good shape. His son and my son were in the same kids baseball thing on Saturdays last year… It was shocking how athletic he looked. And I hear that he takes extra practice, really puts in the hours. We can’t get down on him for lack of effort.

But even so…. he is stunningly bad at playing LF. He would be bad for a small high school. The guy simply cannot pick the best path to a fly ball. It’s just not going to change. He will do his best. We will cheer for him.

MLBMilestone.com - following the numbers to Cooperstown

by D98 on Feb 10, 2012 11:08 PM CST up reply actions