soriano in center

[98navigator]

He's athletic enough, but it's a circus act. Think a super athletic version of Chris Duncan playing CF. I would not feel comfortable with him out there every day. But like navigator points out, the Cubs certainly haven't painted themselves into a corner here (no pun intended). There are a lot of other options for CF.

I just don't understand why 2B is such a remote possiblity. DeRosa can't be supplanted? Please. He didn't make the majors until he was 26 and has never really been an everyday player. Before last year, he was somewhere between Joe McEwing and Rex Hudler. Then, at 31, he has a big year in Texas (read: ballpark influenced) and now he's an everyday 2B? I'm not buying.

My comment had less to do with DeRosa than it did Soriano; who's a butcher at 2B. He will play the outfield for the rest of his career because the Cubs don't want him at 2B. I only brought up DeRosa because of the poster insinuating that the playing time of one of the other FA signings would be jeopardized if Soriano can't play CF.

[JL21]

My comment had less to do with DeRosa than it did Soriano; who's a butcher at 2B. He will play the outfield for the rest of his career because the Cubs don't want him at 2B. I only brought up DeRosa because of the poster insinuating that the playing time of one of the other FA signings would be jeopardized if Soriano can't play CF.

My post sounded more harsh than I had intended. My apologies for that. I guess the thing (from the Cubs' point of view, not necessarily yours) is that, yes, he's a butcher at 2B... but even as a butcher, the offense that he provides above and beyond DeRosa is well worth it. If they want to give CF, or even a corner OF slot, a try, that's fine. But they shouldn't hesitate for one second to move him to 2B if they have a shot at acquiring an imact corner OFer. Mark DeRosa has no business keeping a team from improving itself.

[Popeye_Card]

He's athletic enough, but it's a circus act. Think a super athletic version of Chris Duncan playing CF. I would not feel comfortable with him out there every day. But like navigator points out, the Cubs certainly haven't painted themselves into a corner here (no pun intended). There are a lot of other options for CF.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't Soriano have pretty nice metrics in most areas in LF last year? I recall seeing a defensive essay that ranked Soriano quite high as a LF.

--P--

[JL21]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't Soriano have pretty nice metrics in most areas in LF last year? I recall seeing a defensive essay that ranked Soriano quite high as a LF.

--P--

Some defensive metrics also said that Chris Duncan was an average LFer. The point being I'm not sure how much stock to put in that.

[Popeye_Card]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't Soriano have pretty nice metrics in most areas in LF last year? I recall seeing a defensive essay that ranked Soriano quite high as a LF.

--P--

Some defensive metrics also said that Chris Duncan was an average LFer. The point being I'm not sure how much stock to put in that.

The essay I'm refering too looked at multiple metrics though. I think it was discussing who deserved Gold Gloves at each position, and they stated if the OF gave one for each OF position, Soriano would have to gain some consideration in left.

It shocked me too, but then again I didn't see all that much of him in the field this year. I think I only saw one Nats-Cards game on TV.

--P--

[98navigator]

My comment had less to do with DeRosa than it did Soriano; who's a butcher at 2B. He will play the outfield for the rest of his career because the Cubs don't want him at 2B. I only brought up DeRosa because of the poster insinuating that the playing time of one of the other FA signings would be jeopardized if Soriano can't play CF.

My post sounded more harsh than I had intended. My apologies for that. I guess the thing (from the Cubs' point of view, not necessarily yours) is that, yes, he's a butcher at 2B... but even as a butcher, the offense that he provides above and beyond DeRosa is well worth it. If they want to give CF, or even a corner OF slot, a try, that's fine. But they shouldn't hesitate for one second to move him to 2B if they have a shot at acquiring an imact corner OFer. Mark DeRosa has no business keeping a team from improving itself.

LOL, I hear what your saying but I really don't think DeRosa (or player "X") would matter. By all accounts, Soriano was the Cubs' number one FA target. However, DeRosa was signed first. That tells me that the Cubs never intended to play Soriano in the INF. Again, it's not because DeRosa is great, it's because he's far more sure handed than Soriano at 2B. DeRosa will be ths starting 2B but there will be games when he plays 3B for Ramirez while Ryan Theriot plays 2B. Both are better defensive options that Soriano on the infield.

[98navigator]

He's athletic enough, but it's a circus act. Think a super athletic version of Chris Duncan playing CF. I would not feel comfortable with him out there every day. But like navigator points out, the Cubs certainly haven't painted themselves into a corner here (no pun intended). There are a lot of other options for CF.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't Soriano have pretty nice metrics in most areas in LF last year? I recall seeing a defensive essay that ranked Soriano quite high as a LF.

--P--

I haven't seen the metrics but I do know he made 11 errors but also led the Major Leagues in outfield assists (22) because runners were constantly challenging him. He has a great arm but because he was a second baseman it was underestimated. Once he got used to the outfield he played well.