I'm a cubs fan. Did they overpay for Soriano?

Question

Can some1 who saw him play day in and day out please tell me what i can expect from this guy as a player next year for the cubbies.

Answer 1

I agree that soriano made out like a bandit , but who doesn't these days. I think hitting him lead off is totally crazy though , the guy hit 46 homers last season. I don't care how fast he can run , he would be perfect in the 5 slot , right behind Aramis Rameriz. I would put him in left field , Murton in right and try to find a good lead off hitter that can play center field. I think the cubs are on the right track and maybe with Andy McPhail gone they will spend the money. I know he wasn't the one paying the players but I am sure he had a big influence on the money decisions.

Answer 2

I, too, am a huge Cubs fan. "Overpay" is a relative term. Wrigley Field sells out every game, even when the Cubs are dismal, much like last year, so the revenue is there. I'm actually surprised, from a strictly business standpoint, that they would spend any money on any player. If you are putting fannies in the seats win or lose, why not take the profit. Soriano put up great numbers on a very mediocre team where he was "the man". Take that off of his back and force pitchers to deal with Ramirez, Lee, and Barrett coming up in the lineup, and he will be seeing even better pitches. I'm more concerned with where the Cubs will put him defensively. Matt Murton has more potential than any player in their organization and he lead the team in hitting last year. I would hate to see him on the block as trade bait for more starting pitching just to keep Soriano in left. Plus. Dusty had Matt batting in 7 different spots in the lineup last year. It's hard to get into a rhythm and understand how pitchers are pitching to you when there is no consistency. I think Matt has the bat discipline to be a great #2 hitter. He does not strike out much, has a great eye and walks a good bit, and his bat control would be able to move a lead off hitter up a base when needed.

Answer 3

No they did not overpay for 1 of the top 5 most dynamic players in baseball. This guy can hit HOMERS, steal bases, get 100 rbi's, hit for a good avergae, play good D. In fact, he deserved more like 20 mil a year. Ahhh man these guy is gonna be so much fun 2 watch, he will change the CUBS significantly, and he has never been injured. What 2 expect= at least 30 stolen bases, 30 homers, 90 rbi's,great D,relentless guy who does not get injured, and he will bring a great attitude to that team and that lineup.

Answer 4

I'm from the DC area (though I am an Orioles fan) - I did see him play quite a bit. He is without a doubt one of the 10 best offensive players in the game. His defense is average in the outfield - I don't feel that he is as bad in the OF as others here do. I do wonder why every team that has had him has either wanted him off the team or has not tried too hard to keep him. Anyways I do believe that the Cubs overpaid - but what do the fans care - you got a great player and its not your money.

Answer 5

Almost every free agent on the market got a huge payday, Soriano included. He made out like a bandit.

Your Cubs are paying for a great bat, and that's what they'll get. He'll probably hover around the mid-to-high .280s in terms of batting average, with 30+ home runs virtually guaranteed. The problem is that he is really a horrible outfielder and, as mentioned above, they will need to keep him in Left to avoid too much damage defensively. The other issue is the possibility of him batting lead-off. With his OBP and lack of walks (both heinous) he's not much suited for it.

The high point being that with so much power in a lead-off spot your boys are likely to produce alot of early runs, which is key in making it down the stretch, among other intangibles. I wouldn't think Pennant yet, but they'll look much better than last season. Not that it's hard to do.

Answer 6

He was a stud when he played for the Yankees. He has power to all fields, can steal tons of bases and plays the field average. His big weakness is that he strikes out a lot. He has no patience at the plate. If he improved his OBP he'd be spectacular. Did you Overpay? No way. In todays market he may have been a bargain. He could take the Cubbies to the next level.

Answer 7

Yes they did overpay. He was my favorite player when he was with the Yankees, but he is not worth $136 million. He hits a ton of homers and steals a lot of bases, but he also strikes out a ton, which kills rallies, doesn't get on base enough, and isn't a great defensive player. He did lead the league in assists because he has a great arm, and because baserunners tested him out often. But as far as going after fly balls, he needs work. He is a great talent, and tremendous athlete. He will add a lot of excitement to Chicago, but good pitchers will get him out. I know this from watching him in the 2003 postseason when he was awful, and it hurts me to say that. He is also not a great situational hitter, and for a guy who hit 46 homers, he didn't even have 100 RBIs, though that may be because he hit leadoff, because he struggled hitting third or fourth. He isn't a $136 million dollar player.

Answer 8

No baseball player is worth that much, but he did hit 40+ homeruns, mostly in pitchers ballparks, stole loads of bases and played better than expected defense for the Nationals last season so the Cubs probably paid above market value to get hold of this years free agency jewel.

As a Nationals fan, I wasn't expecting him back but we do need to spend some of that money on a credible pitcher - NOW :-(

Answer 9

I'm a Mets fan so I saw him play as a Yankee and as a National when he played the Mets. He'll probally hit 50+ HRs playing half his games in Wrigley and he'll steal his share of bases. Pro-Soriano guys always say that he isn't a bad outfielder because he led the league in assists, but that is only because everybody was running on him. He got a ton of money, a full no-trade clause and I heard he is going to be the next editor-in-chief of the Chicago Tribune. A lot of expectations to put on one player (kinda like A-Rod).

Answer 10

The cubs are going the way of the Yankees. They are trying to buy a World Series. They are paying somewhat decent player more then they are worth. This is ruining the system because other mediocre players know they are just as good and want the same amount. I hate to say it, but baseball needs a salary cap. Players' salaries are getting out of control.