January 22, 2007
Soriano in Center
Over the weekend, Alfonso Soriano agreed to play centerfield, opening up a spot for Cliff Floyd on the Cubs roster.
The Floyd deal, which might be completed this week, has been in the works since the winter meetings, but the Cubs weren't sure whether they would add Floyd or a veteran center fielder to hold down the fort until prospect Felix Pie is ready at midseason. Floyd, a former Thornwood star, is expected to serve as a fourth outfielder, giving left fielder Matt Murton and right fielder Jacque Jones regular rest.
So does this push Pie back in the depth chart? Or will the Cubs look to make a trade once Pie is ready to play?
Posted by David Pinto at
07:55 AM
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Defense
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Pie can also play right, and he has a great arm, so he would fit very well into the RF spot if Soriano is in center.
By midseason Floyd will be either injured or easy to trade.
If history is any indication, the Cubs will probably rush him up this year to start in center. He will then struggle and never catch his potential ala Corey Patterson.
If Murton doesn't play, it's a crime. It's like the Cubs try to find the most self defeating gameplan available to them.
The thing is, not only should Murton be playing almost every game, he should be leading off for this team. Of qualified batters, he had the highest OBP by 13 points, was 5 short of the walks lead on the team (though he had 140 less PA's than the leader), and he saw more pitches per plate appearance.
To put Soriano (who has a lower OBP - - though sees more pitches) at leadof,f when he has averaged 39.5 HR's over the last six years, would be a crime.
Bill
Soriano has a better BA and OBP while batting leadoff than he does batting in the middle of the order. Which is one reason the Cubs are batting him in that spot.
You can look it up.
