Monday, February 19, 2007
Center of Attention
Its not everyday you sign someone to a 9 figure deal and not have, say, a permanent position for him. But, apparently, in Cubs camp, where up is down and day is night (and Jason Marquis is a good investment) this is no problem. At the Cubs convention in January, new manager Lou Pinella discussed the possibility, nay, the preference to start $136 million Alfonso Soriano in centerfield on opening day. Sure! Why not?
Soriano, who had played second base his entire professional career until he begrudgingly moved to left field last year for Washington (only after causing quite a stink for manager Frank Robinson). Soriano struggled a bit, but ended up throwing out plenty of guys (22 assists), generally because he was overly tested because of his new position.
Soriano is athletic as hell—he better be for that price—and playing a corner outfield should never have been a big deal. But to put him in centerfield at Wrigley Field where the wind can confuse even the most veteran players is a downright terrible move. Anyone who thinks that Soriano can learn how to play arguably the toughest position on the field in 45 days, in Arizona, needs a C-TScan (check it, Lou).
But its not like the Cubs have a ton of other options. Outfielders expected to make the opening day roster: Cliff Floyd (corner outfielder, slowed by injuries, slated for a platoon rule), Matt Murton (not nearly athletic enough for CF), Angel Pagan (a nice guy to have on the bench), Soriano and Jacque Jones. Hendry and Pinella have discussed starting Jones out in CF, a thought that makes NL manager’s mouth water. His arm was awful last year, which he draws up to bone spurs, and his range was embarrassing.
More intriguing are the options in the minors. Top prospect Felix Pie has long been touted as the next big thing, but management has been cautious, as not to invoke the c-word (Corey, as in Patterson, that is). Pie did himself no favors by hitting a meek .219 in winter ball. His Triple AAA hitting coach Von Joshua was with him down there in Licey and attributes his struggles to the logistics of Winterball; Pie hit towards the bottom of the lineup, where he rarely faced a starting pitcher more than once—as a result, most of his at-bats came against left-handed specialists. Doesn’t excuse a .219 average, but the organization was concerned with getting his defense right.
Which is good, because word is that the kid can play D. And, unlike some of the past Cubs players over the last regime, the reports on his attitude are even better. Pie was in the first group of position players to report early to Spring Training. His teammates and coaches have spoken highly of his work ethic. And most telling, every team he has played on in the Cubs organization has made it into the post season. The difference between him and Patterson is his willingness to learn and adjust, and hopefully his ability to take on pressure.
Another prospect, 26 year old, non-invitee Chris Walker has a shot of cracking the club, if Pie isn’t ready to go. Walker hit .292 at AA last year, stealing 50 bases, with a solid OBP of .351—making both the Southern League’s mid year and post season’s all-star teams.
The Cubs shouldn’t be evaluating a CF based on offensive talent though. With the offensive fire power they have (Soriano, Derek Lee and Aramis Ramirez all have the ability to hit 40 HRs each, Murton, Floyd and Michael Barrett figure to combine for another 40 total), they can afford to trade a bat for good defense in center in the 8 spot.
It’d be hard to fit all of these guys in the field with Jones, Murton, Floyd, and Soriano demanding significant playing time—but it has been long rumored that Jones is on his way out. Rather than a cash dump, which Hendry has been forced to do the last couple of years with Patterson, Sosa and other perhaps valuable but leverageless chips, Hendry is wisely holding on to Jones until the first time suffers a major outfield injury. Jones, whose 2 years and roughly $16M remaining contract, is a relative bargain, and would become worthwhile to someone.
Hendry has finally learned his lesson—it is hard to imagine holding on to Jones while letting Soriano play center and Pie sit in the minors. But finally with a firm poker face, Hendry is bound to receive something for his wise investment from last season’s disastrous offseason.
Finally, a wild card: how about Pinella, a good old Yankee, gives Bernie Williams a call? Let’s assume for a second that an opportunity does present itself for the Cubs to move Jones, moving Soriano to right, and the Cubs STILL don’t feel comfortable with Pie or Walker in center. Could Williams, determined to prove he can still play, come to the Midwest and patrol center for a season, keeping the seat warm and easing Pie into the regular role? It’s a long shot, but if the stars align…
Other spring thoughts:
- Kind of a curious move by Alex Rodriguez, coming out on the first day of S.T and saying that him and Jeter aren’t best friends anymore. I’m not sure I see the point—can’t he just continue to lie to the media? Does anyone even buy that he’s being earnest now?
- A prediction of mine has already gone awry: the Chicago Tribune is reporting that Juan Uribe will report to S.T. this week.
- Great Phil Rogers piece about what the Cubs could get for trading Carlos Zambrano.
- Buster Only discussed how it will be interesting to see how Bruce Bochy, new manager of the Giants will handle Barry Bonds this season, as he has limited experience with “troublesome” superstars. In San Diego, Bochy managed Trevor Hoffman, who has the reputation as being one of the nicest baseball guys ever. Same with Brian Giles.
Soriano, who had played second base his entire professional career until he begrudgingly moved to left field last year for Washington (only after causing quite a stink for manager Frank Robinson). Soriano struggled a bit, but ended up throwing out plenty of guys (22 assists), generally because he was overly tested because of his new position.
Soriano is athletic as hell—he better be for that price—and playing a corner outfield should never have been a big deal. But to put him in centerfield at Wrigley Field where the wind can confuse even the most veteran players is a downright terrible move. Anyone who thinks that Soriano can learn how to play arguably the toughest position on the field in 45 days, in Arizona, needs a C-TScan (check it, Lou).
But its not like the Cubs have a ton of other options. Outfielders expected to make the opening day roster: Cliff Floyd (corner outfielder, slowed by injuries, slated for a platoon rule), Matt Murton (not nearly athletic enough for CF), Angel Pagan (a nice guy to have on the bench), Soriano and Jacque Jones. Hendry and Pinella have discussed starting Jones out in CF, a thought that makes NL manager’s mouth water. His arm was awful last year, which he draws up to bone spurs, and his range was embarrassing.
More intriguing are the options in the minors. Top prospect Felix Pie has long been touted as the next big thing, but management has been cautious, as not to invoke the c-word (Corey, as in Patterson, that is). Pie did himself no favors by hitting a meek .219 in winter ball. His Triple AAA hitting coach Von Joshua was with him down there in Licey and attributes his struggles to the logistics of Winterball; Pie hit towards the bottom of the lineup, where he rarely faced a starting pitcher more than once—as a result, most of his at-bats came against left-handed specialists. Doesn’t excuse a .219 average, but the organization was concerned with getting his defense right.
Which is good, because word is that the kid can play D. And, unlike some of the past Cubs players over the last regime, the reports on his attitude are even better. Pie was in the first group of position players to report early to Spring Training. His teammates and coaches have spoken highly of his work ethic. And most telling, every team he has played on in the Cubs organization has made it into the post season. The difference between him and Patterson is his willingness to learn and adjust, and hopefully his ability to take on pressure.
Another prospect, 26 year old, non-invitee Chris Walker has a shot of cracking the club, if Pie isn’t ready to go. Walker hit .292 at AA last year, stealing 50 bases, with a solid OBP of .351—making both the Southern League’s mid year and post season’s all-star teams.
The Cubs shouldn’t be evaluating a CF based on offensive talent though. With the offensive fire power they have (Soriano, Derek Lee and Aramis Ramirez all have the ability to hit 40 HRs each, Murton, Floyd and Michael Barrett figure to combine for another 40 total), they can afford to trade a bat for good defense in center in the 8 spot.
It’d be hard to fit all of these guys in the field with Jones, Murton, Floyd, and Soriano demanding significant playing time—but it has been long rumored that Jones is on his way out. Rather than a cash dump, which Hendry has been forced to do the last couple of years with Patterson, Sosa and other perhaps valuable but leverageless chips, Hendry is wisely holding on to Jones until the first time suffers a major outfield injury. Jones, whose 2 years and roughly $16M remaining contract, is a relative bargain, and would become worthwhile to someone.
Hendry has finally learned his lesson—it is hard to imagine holding on to Jones while letting Soriano play center and Pie sit in the minors. But finally with a firm poker face, Hendry is bound to receive something for his wise investment from last season’s disastrous offseason.
Finally, a wild card: how about Pinella, a good old Yankee, gives Bernie Williams a call? Let’s assume for a second that an opportunity does present itself for the Cubs to move Jones, moving Soriano to right, and the Cubs STILL don’t feel comfortable with Pie or Walker in center. Could Williams, determined to prove he can still play, come to the Midwest and patrol center for a season, keeping the seat warm and easing Pie into the regular role? It’s a long shot, but if the stars align…
Other spring thoughts:
- Kind of a curious move by Alex Rodriguez, coming out on the first day of S.T and saying that him and Jeter aren’t best friends anymore. I’m not sure I see the point—can’t he just continue to lie to the media? Does anyone even buy that he’s being earnest now?
- A prediction of mine has already gone awry: the Chicago Tribune is reporting that Juan Uribe will report to S.T. this week.
- Great Phil Rogers piece about what the Cubs could get for trading Carlos Zambrano.
- Buster Only discussed how it will be interesting to see how Bruce Bochy, new manager of the Giants will handle Barry Bonds this season, as he has limited experience with “troublesome” superstars. In San Diego, Bochy managed Trevor Hoffman, who has the reputation as being one of the nicest baseball guys ever. Same with Brian Giles.
