"They have three weeks to fix it."
What a bum. I hope the Nationals stick to their guns. I always thought Soriano was flat out stupid, but I didn't think he was a TO.
Read all about it.
Read all about it.
posted by Anthony at 8:26 PM
11 Comments:
Is Soriano that good where he can hold out? Is he so good where he can just disregard an order from a manager?
I always thought he would do something like this. I never liked him. It's ashame the Nationals will eventually give in. And Vidro will probably play left field.
A funny aspect of this is that Soriano has always been a lousy second basemen, and would probably be a really good center fielder. Most players would look at this as an opportunity.
Contrast A-Rod, who gladly moved to third base coming to the Yankees, or Jeter and A-Rod, who showed a willingness to play center this year, or even Sheff, who before the A-Rod trade said he'd move back to third! It shouldn't matter how good Soriano is.
I don't know offhand what his splits are, but I'm almost certain that Soriano's road numbers while he was on Texas were abyssmal. He is NOT an all-star caliber player, but he is a flashy personality with some great talent and very medicore results. Wherever he ends up, the glory days of Soriano (if there ever were such days) are gone and over.
Of course he's an all star caliber player. He's the best offensive second basemen in the game. It's true he feeds off mediocre pitching and hasn't hit in the clutch, if that's what you're getting at, but his numbers are there every year. But in this case, so what?
Soriano did play shortstop as a minor leaguer, but it's an even tougher position than second base. He just doesn't have good instincts in the field, which costs him in those tough infield positions.
Soriano's numbers may drop in the National League because he won't have that great Texas offense around him, but I don't think the change should affect him much, unless it's mental. He'll likely bat third or fourth, probably in front of Guillen, and will be free to swing away all he wants.
I have to remind you gents that Soriano is NOT that special a player after-all. Last year alone, his road BA was .224. That's minor-league material, folks. That is contrasted with his home avg. of he hit .315. If you think last year was a fluke, in 2004 Soriano hit .244 on the road and .317 at Arlington. How can someone hit so drastically different on the road v. home? The park is the major factor. Listen, I never said the guy was a bum-- he is a talented athelete-- but for a player with that much "talent," his batting is not impressive (and hasn't been for a couple of years). He is simply overrated. If you like him so much, please feel free to draft him in our fantasy league.
Who wouldn't take a second basemen who hits 35+ home runs, drives in over 100 RBIs and steals 30 bases? I imagine he'll be among the top ten or twenty most valued players in any draft.
Adam, you seem to be comparing him to Barry Bonds, which there is no reason to do. When you do that, everyone is overrated. But Soriano is probably the best offensive player at his position, which, I'd guess, is exactly why he doesn't want to leave it.
Yes, with his stellar OBP (.309) and that rockin' batting average, he will surely be MVP this season. Come on guys, he enjoys a lot of hype based on HRs and RBIs, but he is not a special hitter overall. I'm not comparing him to anyone, I'm just pointing out that he is not a top-ten elite hitter. If you like that .224 road average, ait till he gets into the NL this eyar. If he hits over .250, I'll be impressed.
If Soriano puts up ten more seasons like his first five, he's a first ballot hall of famer. That's special.
Tony,
You're first ballot into the Hall of Fame of My Heart.
This sonsabitch will play the outfield like he's told because of TO. If he sulks and sits out, he'll ruin his market value and have to put at least one good season to get his cash.
Also, he not too smart, ya dig, so I blame his dirty agent.
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