So, did Alfonso Soriano have a good year in your opinion? Was he worth the 15-17 million he is earning from?

Question

the Cubs for the next 8 years or whatever his contract is, I know it's huge, 130-140 million. He wound up with 33 HR's, only 70 RBI's, batted .299 and had 173 hits. I understand why Piniella bats him lead-off, to get the team started, etc, and he had plenty of lead-off Home Runs this season. It seems like he had like 15-20 lead off HR's and he finished the season very strong. But for a player who is making this kinda money, you really want to see him hit 45-50 HR's and have 130-150 RBI's. They really need to bat him clean-up next year, or 3rd. Piniella was switching him around in the line-up in the beginning of the season, because Soriano wasn't producing, but he realized that he should keep him batting lead-off when the Cubs started to win. I would grade the Cubs season as a "B". They made the playoffs, so that is always nice, but lost in the first round. Piniella's season would be also graded a "B" for the same reasons, however, I would grade Soriano at like a C+ or B-

simply because you can't have a player drive in only 70 runs and pay him 15-17 million a season. That really doesn't look good on paper. I know Soriano was hurt for a bit and probably trying a bit too hard when things weren't going well, but he definitely should've had more RBI's than 70, you agree?

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/6154/career;_ylt=ArQD_q6C37R7lCR3g0M_UpOFCLcF

Answer 1

No. He earned his money. He doesn't walk enough for a leadoff man and would do better to hit 4th w/ Lee 3rd and Ramierez 5th. However, he can change the game w/ one swing and when he comes up the 2nd and 3rd times in games, he gets his RBI chances (100 RBI in leadoff w/ Yanks). Also, he is their most versatile player and they are giving him the most chances to swing. It's not about how many you drive in but also how many you score and he does a good job of that. Do not forget his defense. He has had plenty of OF assists since leaving the infield.

I give him an A- I just hope he can continue to produce for another 5-6 years. That contract was pretty outragous. And he's my favorite (current) player at that.

Answer 2

You have to remember, the job of a lead off hitter is to get on base and let the big guns drive him in. It's not his job to drive in runs. He has exceptional power for a lead off hitter but he really needs to learn how to take a pitch more often. He doesn't walk enough.

You can't compare him to a 3-4-5 hitter in the line up. I would say first, that no one is worth the kind of money being spent in any sport, but that's a topic for another time. Based on the going rate for "super stars" in the league, he's probably being paid about the right amount for what he does.

If the Cubs don't get the pitching they desperately need, they will continue to fall short once again in '08. They are very close to be a NL pennant contender.

Answer 3

i do no longer think of that Soriano is nicely worth that a lot money, yet he's close. i think of that the reason Soriano is hitting leadoff is because of the fact he has super velocity, and that they discern in the event that they positioned him at leadoff, he can hit homeruns, or get on base and thieve extra usually. Soriano's stolen base entire will cut back notably if he constantly hits third.

Answer 4

its baseball you cant predict what a player will or will not do and even if you pay a 40/40 player alot of money it doesnt automatically mean hes gonna be that player every year also lead off hitters are not RBI machines 70RBIs is actually pretty good for a lead off hitter so dont fret you got a great player on your team

Answer 5

NO!!!
He had a career year last year, and this year should have not been worse...Going into the season i thought it would be awesome with Soriano on our team but NOO....H e didnt hit a single homerun in April...had terrible baserunning mistakes AND sucked in the outfield..yeah he several assist and they were great but you HAVE TO CATCH THE BALL!! it was terrible when that ball went through his legs in the playoffs..definitly NOT worth the money...lets just hope next year changes.

Answer 6

The value of a player is measured over a period of seasons and not just one season. Soriano will continue to prove over time that he is one of the elite players in the league and worth what they are paying him.

Answer 7

Yes, compared to other players he was worth the investment.

Answer 8

he had a good year but for that much $$$$$ i think they could've got a little better if he had the yeer he had with the nats then yeah hes worth it

Answer 9

Yes for sure.