MLB: Sveum says Soriano doesn’t need the big stick
- Thread starter cigaretteman
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Bold statement considering soriano has zero home runs and is batting like .260. Lahair has like 9 home runs and is batting like .370+ haha. I don't think Soriano ever sniffed the north side of .300 even in his prime.
IMO they are going to bring up Rizzo as it warms up in Wrigley, they put LaHair in Left and bench Soriano. Make him earn his money. Frankly, it is a step in the right direction that Sveum is criticizing him openly. Popular or not in the clubhouse he needs to produce power. To Fonzi's credit he has gotten better defensively, but not after years of poor play. How long is it going to take him to hit a home run before he changes bats?
I wouldn't care if he didn't hit another homerun all year if he brings his average up. He's done fairly well with runners on base from what I've seen and I can't believe I'm saying this.... but his defense has been slightly above average.
I honestly dont think the Cubs will ever have Soriano on the bench. I like the idea of bringing Rizzo up and putting Lahair in left, but it wont happen unless Soriano gets moved. Kapplin was making an argument yesterday that the Cubs could do just that, and trade Josh Beckett for Soriano. Both have contracts to 2014, both are currently disappointing to their respective teams...Beckett is getting $17 Million/year and Soriano $19 Million. The Cubs would obviously have to throw something else in to make the trade, but it was inter sting to ponder.
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Soriano also has a bad leg and has barely been able to run in the outfield. That can't be helping him get power in his swing. I wish they would sit him down for a while to get at least a little bit healthy.
I disagree that they won't ever bench him when Rizzo comes up. If he can't produce ANY power, he shouldn't be playing. I could see them platooning him in left with LaHair. LaHair is bound to slow down at some point. Of course if he doesn't, I am ok with that as well.
I disagree that they won't ever bench him when Rizzo comes up. If he can't produce ANY power, he shouldn't be playing. I could see them platooning him in left with LaHair. LaHair is bound to slow down at some point. Of course if he doesn't, I am ok with that as well.
I wouldn't call what Sveum said criticizing. It's a suggestion he's made that makes perfect sense. Soriano is open to the idea. He could maybe drop another ounce or two.
That's the basic message of the article, and it's not really critical.
But, I agree. Soriano needs to step up the production if he wants to keep his spot, IMO.
Yup. Rizzo will be up soon and Sori won't be starting. LaHair to left field, Rizzo to first base.
I'll agree it is not scathing criticism, but bringing it out in the media is Sveum trying to put some pressure on him. If you put LaHair in Left, where does Soriano go besides the bench?
The way LaHair is hitting there is no way you platoon or bench your #4 hitter just because you bring up Rizzo. They will make a move somehow to put him in a corner OF spot wether that means Soriano gets benched, traded, or flat out released or I could even see them dealing DeJesus to a playoff contender needing OF help. Campana and Johnson are just keep the CF spot warm for when Jackson is called up. Soriano is not anywhere close to producing the type of stats you expect from a guy making as much as he is and if the goal is to shed the deadweight of the old regime they will find a way to get him off this roster even if it means eating most of his contract.
Those all sound like terrible ideas. RF at Wrigley is probably the toughest RF to play in the league. LaHair can barely play 1B and he's probably below average in LF and beyond terrible in RF. Also, benching one your most productive hitters in DeJesus is a bad idea.
Professional baseball is not like beer league softball where you put your worst fielder in right field.