February 10, 2006
Sosa for Soriano?
Dave Van Dyck at ChicagoSports.com postulates that the Nationals signing Sammy Sosa sends Soriano somewhere, maybe Chicago.
Strange as it may sound, the Cubs could benefit from Sosa accepting the tryout and then playing well enough to make the team.
Here's the shortened scenario that would involve the Cubs:
Sosa proves in the spring he still has something left in his 37-year-old body, making the Nationals' Opening Day roster for about $1 million guaranteed. That would fill the outfield spot presumably taken already by Alfonso Soriano, who then might be expendable.
The Cubs long have had an interest in Soriano, but Washington came up with a better trade offer from the Rangers over the winter. So Soriano, a career second baseman, was dealt to the Nationals and promptly installed as the probable left fielder. He continues to insist he will not play the outfield, creating a National problem because Jose Vidro is their second baseman.
Either Soriano or Vidro might have to go if Sosa makes the team and it probably would be Soriano, who will make either $10 million or $12 million next season, depending on the outcome of Thursday's arbitration hearing. The Nationals most likely would like a front-line pitcher in return, although they may have to settle for less.
Posted by David Pinto at
08:02 AM
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The Nationals "may have to settle for less"? They will *eagerly* settle for less, because the front office does *not* recognize value.
It would have been stupid and wasteful to trade Wilkerson for Soriano straight-up, much less throw in a couple more players, because (1) Soriano is redundant (at 2B) and doesn't want to move, and (2) he can command more money than Washington should spend on him. Oh, and now the Nationals don't have a decent CF - all so they can spend $20M/year on secondbaseMEN. Not only that, but the Nationals don't need a front-line pitcher, because they play in a cavernous pitcher's park. They need outfielders to run around and chase fly balls, and they just squandered their best one of *THOSE*.
It's like they're determined not just to turn their dollar into two quarters, but the two quarters into three dimes, then four nickels, and they're trying to find someone with five pennies, to complete the reduction of value.
Is Soriano the single most over rated player in baseball or what? $12 million!!
And what's all this crap about Walker being on the trading block because of his defense, and now the rumor of getting Soriano?!?!?!
I really hope the Cubs stick with Todd Walker and don't waste a pitcher on Soriano.
I really am beginning to dislike Soriano - overpaid and not a team player.
I rue the day Trader Jim acquired Soriano. If they could flip Soriano for a decent CF I might actually have a positive thought about Trader Jim. Of course he could have kept Wilkerson but that might be asking too much. lol
