Soriano to the Cubs

[jmac]

you're right. and yes pitching and defense HELP win ball games but I give respect and admiration for the cubs front office uncharacteristically spendin some dough to improve their lineup.

dont get me wrong...you are correct on your observations.all i was saying is sometimes we as fans give the division title to a team in nov-feb.
like when yanks signed giambi, you think"well give them the title now" or when i heard they had aquired a-rod i thought "they will be champions now".
the rocket couldnt put stros over the hump as jr couldnt put us over several years ago.
soriano will help but there are many in holes to fill for cubs.after zambrano,you say "if wood" and "if prior' and of course maddux is gone.
soriano will help offense but the cubs have lost many a game 11-10.
not sayin you thought this.....just mainly my observations.

[terminator]

No doubt the Cub's offense is potent with him, but the real question is what happens with their pitching next year. Will Prior ever pitch a full season again? Will Wood be able to pitch? Wade Miller? I saw Rich Hill pitch at GABP and he didn't look as good as his stats for the year might indicate. Anyway, Zambrano aside that's a terrible pitching staff because of injury histories.

Anyway, it would have been nice if he had signed somewhere outside our division, but I wouldn't want the Reds saddled with a $17MM contract for 8 years, so I don't mind too much that the Cubs got him and are saddled with that.

[Natty Redlocks]

It looks like the Cubs are declaring themselves the Yankees of the NL Central.

I just hope the Reds are the Blue Jays and not the D-Rays.

BTW, it looks like the plan is for the Fonz to play CF and lead off.

[Patpacillosjock]

It looks like the Cubs are declaring themselves the Yankees of the NL Central.

I just hope the Reds are the Blue Jays and not the D-Rays.

BTW, it looks like the plan is for the Fonz to play CF and lead off.

I've never undrestood why any manager would bat him leadoff.

A) he strikes out a lot
B) has immense power and ability to drive in runs
C) isnt really good at "setting up the table"
D) has great speed but so did guys like Eric Davis, Bonds, Canseco and all batted 3-4th in the lineup.

it'd be a waste batting him leadoff.

[Natty Redlocks]

I've never undrestood why any manager would bat him leadoff.

A) he strikes out a lot
B) has immense power and ability to drive in runs
C) isnt really good at "setting up the table"
D) has great speed but so did guys like Eric Davis, Bonds, Canseco and all batted 3-4th in the lineup.

it'd be a waste batting him leadoff.

Supposedly, he's more comfortable leading off. It is where he's had the most success. It's possible it was a major factor in getting him to sign. Not as major as the money, obviously.

It does give him more at-bats, anyway.

[oneupper]

wow. Cubs are serious this year. their 3-4-5 is Lee, Ramirez, and Soriano.

thats pretty solid.

Also very right handed...I doubt they play it that way.

[RichRed]

I'm not worried - Soriano isn't "clutch."

2004-06:

Close & late - .261/.342/.425/.767

RISP - .240/.326/.441/.767

[vaticanplum]

It looks like the Cubs are declaring themselves the Yankees of the NL Central.

Except the Yankees are good.