TIL: in 2010 Barret Loux was the 6th pick in the MLB draft.

[HurricaneDij39]

The facts are that he is, always was, and always will be a streak hitter so pointing out any particular month with Soriano is a moot point. It is no different then when people hated on A-Ram for not hitting in April and early May, yet he still eclipsed 30 HR's and over 100 RBI's countless times. They call it an average for a reason.

Frankly, at this point, I see no difference with Rizzo. Of course, he gets a free pass because he is young. Not sure I get that.

It wasn't "any particular month". It was the first three months of 2013. 278 at-bats, that's no small sample size. Pat here complains about that team's poor OBP in 2013, when it was actaully his boy Soriano that sported a .274 on-base through those 278 at-bats. But, there can't possibly be any hypocrisy in that now, can there. And he was considered the team's "father figure" at the time...

 

[SilenceS]

It wasn't "any particular month". It was the first three months of 2013. 278 at-bats, that's no small sample size. Pat here complains about that team's poor OBP in 2013, when it was actaully his boy Soriano that sported a .274 on-base through those 278 at-bats. But, there can't possibly be any hypocrisy in that now, can there. And he was considered the team's "father figure" at the time...

Im not really sure what you are getting at. Are you saying Soriano was the Cubs woes? Because he certainly wasnt. The whole team sucked at getting on base and they especially sucked with RISP. Ill take Soriano batting 4th in this lineup over most likely a platoon of Nate the Great and whatever other junk they are going to throw in there.

 

[patg006]

It wasn't "any particular month". It was the first three months of 2013. 278 at-bats, that's no small sample size. Pat here complains about that team's poor OBP in 2013, when it was actaully his boy Soriano that sported a .274 on-base through those 278 at-bats. But, there can't possibly be any hypocrisy in that now, can there. And he was considered the team's "father figure" at the time...

I didn't complain about the OBP, I complained that nothing was done to fix the problem going forward that could have been done reasonably and realistically.

Soriano batting 4th in this line up will be better than whatever hot garbage Boy Blunder throws out there this year.

But winning isn't important. Its all about prospects.

Boy Blunder was the one who said 'every season is sacred' and 'the goal is to win the world series every year,' but I'M the hypocrite. DJ is the misguided sheep that slurps him every step of the way.

 

[HurricaneDij39]

Im not really sure what you are getting at. Are you saying Soriano was the Cubs woes? Because he certainly wasnt. The whole team sucked at getting on base and they especially sucked with RISP. Ill take Soriano batting 4th in this lineup over most likely a platoon of Nate the Great and whatever other junk they are going to throw in there.

You really that slow? By no means am I saying Soriano was the sole reason for our offensive woes. Just pointing out the he wasn't the exception like what most of you claim him to be.

 

[Boobaby1]

It wasn't "any particular month". It was the first three months of 2013. 278 at-bats, that's no small sample size. Pat here complains about that team's poor OBP in 2013, when it was actaully his boy Soriano that sported a .274 on-base through those 278 at-bats. But, there can't possibly be any hypocrisy in that now, can there. And he was considered the team's "father figure" at the time...

Regardless of what months he hit, and what months he didn't he is just that type of ball player. Does it really matter? It is called an average for a reason.

Do I need to put Rizzo under the microscope and see what months he didn't hit particularly well in, because there are going to be a few and not just a sample size for no more than he has played.

I don't know why you are hating on a guy who was a good clubhouse presence, a player that played hurt a lot, and the most productive RBI and HR guy in the last two years of this shit fest at the parent level.

For a guy doing what he has done at his age, Rizzo can only hope to put up numbers like that if he is even still in the league at that age.

And furthermore, Soriano's woes were hardly different than cornerstones Rizzo and Castro. Rizzo sported a .213 BA on average the last 3 months, couldn't hit a lefty if his life depended on it, and Castro was horrible all year.

If you are going to say somebody sucked, say they all sucked which would be the truth.

 

[SilenceS]

You really that slow? By no means am I saying Soriano was the sole reason for our offensive woes. Just pointing out the he wasn't the exception like what most of you claim him to be.

Lol I wouldnt call anyone slow. You arent exactly a mental giant.

 

[SilenceS]

Regardless of what months he hit, and what months he didn't he is just that type of ball player. Does it really matter? It is called an average for a reason.

Do I need to put Rizzo under the microscope and see what months he didn't hit particularly well in, because there are going to be a few and not just a sample size for no more than he has played.

I don't know why you are hating on a guy who was a good clubhouse presence, a player that played hurt a lot, and the most productive RBI and HR guy in the last two years of this shit fest at the parent level.

For a guy doing what he has done at his age, Rizzo can only hope to put up numbers like that if he is even still in the league at that age.

And furthermore, Soriano's woes were hardly different than cornerstones Rizzo and Castro. Rizzo sported a .213 BA on average the last 3 months, couldn't hit a lefty if his life depended on it, and Castro was horrible all year.

If you are going to say somebody sucked, say they all sucked which would be the truth.

Eh, I wouldnt worry about it Boo. The dude just makes no sense usually.

 

[HurricaneDij39]

I didn't complain about the OBP, I complained that nothing was done to fix the problem going forward that could have been done reasonably and realistically.

Typical Pat. Once the flaws of a statement of his start to get exposed, he runs and hides from it.

But winning isn't important. Its all about prospects.

Keep on beating that dead horse. Just because you say spending money would fix all our team's woes doesn't make it true. Again, I hope the Cubs get Tanaka, but if rumors hold true that he prefers to pitch on the West Coast (the Dodgers, Angels, Mariners, or Diamondbacks), we might not ever find our what exactly Cubs brass offers him.

Boy Blunder was the one who said 'every season is sacred' and 'the goal is to win the world series every year,' but I'M the hypocrite. DJ is the misguided sheep that slurps him every step of the way.

It appears you're so obsessed with Theo's very presence that you think absolutely everyone sucks up to him. Brings back memories of my grade school and junior high days and I wish I knew you well enough to help.

Anyone who says I'm a Theo yes-man doesn't know their ass from a hole in the ground. The fact is that I'm boycotting the Cubs convention this year for the simple fact nothing was done to address the short-term infield situation.

Am I saying we should have spent $50 million to address the position? No. I just think more should have been done in the last year and a half to find an upgrade over Barney/Valbuena. That being said, I will always continue to support the team and respect its long-term building plan.

 

[HurricaneDij39]

Regardless of what months he hit, and what months he didn't he is just that type of ball player. Does it really matter? It is called an average for a reason.

Do I need to put Rizzo under the microscope and see what months he didn't hit particularly well in, because there are going to be a few and not just a sample size for no more than he has played.

I don't know why you are hating on a guy who was a good clubhouse presence, a player that played hurt a lot, and the most productive RBI and HR guy in the last two years of this shit fest at the parent level.

For a guy doing what he has done at his age, Rizzo can only hope to put up numbers like that if he is even still in the league at that age.

And furthermore, Soriano's woes were hardly different than cornerstones Rizzo and Castro. Rizzo sported a .213 BA on average the last 3 months, couldn't hit a lefty if his life depended on it, and Castro was horrible all year.

If you are going to say somebody sucked, say they all sucked which would be the truth.

Boo,

Let me explain my train of thought slowly so your stubborn and incompetent self would understand.

Our offense wasn't good last year. I don't think you'll find any one of my posts where I've claimed otherwise. But to say Soriano would have significantly helped our offensive woes is wrong. You hate on Rizzo no problem, but at least he draws walks as opposed to Soriano. Am I saying Soriano was the only problem with our offense? No. But, he's 38 and sported a .287 on-base at the time he was traded. Still a good player, just not a leader. Our team was committed to going young and we needed a "father figure" that led by example not only in the clubhouse, but also on the field as well. Hence, getting on base and drawing walks.

 

[HurricaneDij39]

Lol I wouldnt call anyone slow. You arent exactly a mental giant.

Way to back yourself up, asshole.

 

[nwfisch]

Can't we agree the Cubs will always suck and we can move on?

 

[SilenceS]

Boo,

Let me explain my train of thought slowly so your stubborn and incompetent self would understand.

Our offense wasn't good last year. I don't think you'll find any one of my posts where I've claimed otherwise. But to say Soriano would have significantly helped our offensive woes is wrong. You hate on Rizzo no problem, but at least he draws walks as opposed to Soriano. Am I saying Soriano was the only problem with our offense? No. But, he's 38 and sported a .287 on-base at the time he was traded. Still a good player, just not a leader. Our team was committed to going young and we needed a "father figure" that led by example not only in the clubhouse, but also on the field as well. Hence, getting on base and drawing walks.

"Last year, Epstein called Soriano "a pleasant surprise. He turned out to be as great a clubhouse guy as there is in the game. He couldn't have been a better role model for our young players."

"He's 100 percent completely different than I thought," Sveum told reporters in Arizona, according to CSN Chicago. "There hasn't been a day of disappointment in his attitude/work ethic."

http://espn.go.com/chicago/story/_/...-leaves-chicago-cubs-legacy-true-professional

Swing and a miss there buttercup. You should be on the cover of "Mongoloid Magazine"

 

[SilenceS]

Alfonso Soriano

RISP- .277 AVG, .348 OBP, .548 SLG, .897 OPS

RISP w/2outs- .291, .361, .613, .975

Anthony Rizzo

RISP- .191,.306, .309, .615

RISPw 2 outs- .182, .308, .303, .611

**** me, Soriano fucking sucked. Wait, what?

:gtfo:

 

[patg006]

You really that slow? By no means am I saying Soriano was the sole reason for our offensive woes. Just pointing out the he wasn't the exception like what most of you claim him to be.

Was he amazing? No. Was he a top, elite player? No.

Was he better than Barney, Rizzo, Scheirholtz, Lake, Castillo, Castro, Bugosevich (**** your spelling), Donnie Murphy and Darnell McDonald?

Don't kid yourself. Sori wasn't great, but he was the best of this mess that wouldn't confuse a group of disabled kindergartners.

Silence's stats prove my point.

You're still a Special person, DJ.

 

[CSF77]

I didn't complain about the OBP, I complained that nothing was done to fix the problem going forward that could have been done reasonably and realistically.


Anyone who says I'm a Theo yes-man doesn't know their ass from a hole in the ground. The fact is that I'm boycotting the Cubs convention this year for the simple fact nothing was done to address the short-term infield situation.

Am I saying we should have spent $50 million to address the position? No. I just think more should have been done in the last year and a half to find an upgrade over Barney/Valbuena. That being said, I will always continue to support the team and respect its long-term building plan.

They have 2 big holes going into S/T.

1. Legit lead off. Castro lacks a respectable OBA to cut it.

2. Legit #4 hitter. Rizzo and Schierholtz would not his 3-5 on a play off contender.

Lets face it they are throwing mudd against the wall and seeing what sticks. You can ***** about Murphy/Valbuena but the fact is out of the 8 every day positions none would start on a play off team.

You are just pointing to one leak on a busted damn.,

 

[CSF77]

and I had no problem with Sori.

IDK not sure if it is worth it to see what Lake has to give this year but well Sori alone was not enough last year or the year before to make the Cubs a 89 loss team.

Seriouslly I kinda agree with DJ here. It is better to move forward vs wasting a year of development with Sori in LF not being a part of the future product. Now having filler instead is not much better but easier to off the squad when the projected upwell.

 

[Boobaby1]

Boo,

Let me explain my train of thought slowly so your stubborn and incompetent self would understand.

Our offense wasn't good last year. I don't think you'll find any one of my posts where I've claimed otherwise. But to say Soriano would have significantly helped our offensive woes is wrong. You hate on Rizzo no problem, but at least he draws walks as opposed to Soriano. Am I saying Soriano was the only problem with our offense? No. But, he's 38 and sported a .287 on-base at the time he was traded. Still a good player, just not a leader. Our team was committed to going young and we needed a "father figure" that led by example not only in the clubhouse, but also on the field as well. Hence, getting on base and drawing walks.

Father figure? Tell it to Theo sporto because he traded both Dejesus and Soriano away. The very things you say the team needs.

And as far as Soriano helping our offensive woes, who exactly replaced him, how many RBI's did they have, and were the Cubs better with them or worse with Soriano? Last I checked, Soriano had a good year. The last two in fact.

What is the going rate for a guy who over the past two seasons who has amassed 66 HR's, 209 RBI's, and a .312 OBP?

And you say that doesn't help the team? I guess it would be unheard of to actually put some talent around those numbers. Nah! It's better to pay someone else to get the production to obtain the 4th pick in the draft.

Now that's aiming high.

 

[Boobaby1]

and I had no problem with Sori.

IDK not sure if it is worth it to see what Lake has to give this year but well Sori alone was not enough last year or the year before to make the Cubs a 89 loss team.

Seriouslly I kinda agree with DJ here. It is better to move forward vs wasting a year of development with Sori in LF not being a part of the future product. Now having filler instead is not much better but easier to off the squad when the projected upwell.

The only way it's better is if you don't have to eat his contract. To net Corey Black for 19 million isn't making a whole lot of sense for a team telling the general public that every penny is being spent.

Soriano wasn't a head case, and the Yankees have money. Why do you give the biggest all out spender of money a freebie? If you want to trade somebody, package a much younger Schierholtz with Wood or Shark and get something of value moving forward.

You could have Sori, Sweeney, and Lake in the OF and be no different then they are now.

Now, Rizzo has no protection, and the Cubs are said to be looking for another outfielder. Whatever!

 

[CSF77]

I'm not so sure they *are* looking for an outfielder.

If they do not land Tanaka I believe they will offer a deal to Baker and roll with what they have.

The best scenario I'm expecting is they give Olt a shot at 3B and he bounces back to full health. This pushes Valbuena to 2B in a platoon with Barney. Murphy becomes a UI at that point as he covers SS/2B/3B. Olt gives Rizzo his days off at 1B with Murphy covering 3B.

The OF is Lake in LF, Sweeney in CF and Schierholtz in RF. I would run that vs RH pitching. VS LH pitching Ruggiano takes over for Schierholtz in RF.

I'm figuring position players will be set at 13 then 5 SP and 7 in the BP.

So: Lake, Sweeney, Schierholtz, Ruggiano in the OF

Olt, Castro, Valbuena, Rizzo, Barney, Murphy IF

C: Castillo, Kottatas

That sets it at 12.

Now I would run Apr with 13 pitchers and 12 position players to net an extra BP arm during the cold months. When it warms up and SP gets further into games I would drop a arm and add a bat. This would co-en-side with inter league games. I would add Vitters at that point and have him DH and then move Lake to CF vs LHP and bench Sweeney on those days.

That is how I would approach things this year. I wouldn't concern myself over adding a OF bat. Basically they already did that with Ruggiano and he might become a solid producer that may force more playing time going forward.

Not to mention if Baez and Bryant blow up the minors this year and Olt, Rizzo and Castro bounce back something is going to have to give and locking up a OF spot in contract removes potential flexibility. Not a wise move.

 

[Boobaby1]

I'm not so sure they *are* looking for an outfielder.

If they do not land Tanaka I believe they will offer a deal to Baker and roll with what they have.

The best scenario I'm expecting is they give Olt a shot at 3B and he bounces back to full health. This pushes Valbuena to 2B in a platoon with Barney. Murphy becomes a UI at that point as he covers SS/2B/3B. Olt gives Rizzo his days off at 1B with Murphy covering 3B.

The OF is Lake in LF, Sweeney in CF and Schierholtz in RF. I would run that vs RH pitching. VS LH pitching Ruggiano takes over for Schierholtz in RF.

I'm figuring position players will be set at 13 then 5 SP and 7 in the BP.

So: Lake, Sweeney, Schierholtz, Ruggiano in the OF

Olt, Castro, Valbuena, Rizzo, Barney, Murphy IF

C: Castillo, Kottatas

That sets it at 12.

Now I would run Apr with 13 pitchers and 12 position players to net an extra BP arm during the cold months. When it warms up and SP gets further into games I would drop a arm and add a bat. This would co-en-side with inter league games. I would add Vitters at that point and have him DH and then move Lake to CF vs LHP and bench Sweeney on those days.

That is how I would approach things this year. I wouldn't concern myself over adding a OF bat. Basically they already did that with Ruggiano and he might become a solid producer that may force more playing time going forward.

Not to mention if Baez and Bryant blow up the minors this year and Olt, Rizzo and Castro bounce back something is going to have to give and locking up a OF spot in contract removes potential flexibility. Not a wise move.

Okay. Here is the magic question. Are there far better numbers with Soriano in LF rather than Lake? The answer is yes by a landslide.

Could Soriano have been moved this year if Baez or Bryant come up? Again the answer is yes.

Would Soriano block any of the future? The answer is no because Lake does not figure to be a future starter at this point, so he could be shuffled in if they would have moved Soriano this year instead of last, thus, giving Lake more than a sample size of playing time.

Now, again, was moving Soriano really worth the 19 million to give a player playing time who is not part of the future and prospect Corey Black when Soriano's contract would have been off the books anyways, plus he would have given Rizzo much needed protection?

Rizzo's numbers suffered post-Soriano, and I don't think it is just coincidental.

Our resident expert above claimed how well the Cubs played the first half of the year and Soriano was a part of that.