Cubs sign Soriano

by alecoholics on Nov 19, 2006 3:50 PM EST Comment 35 comments

here's the link: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2668465

Do you think this puts our team in any state of panic to make a big signing?

The Cubs seem to have a pretty good heart of the order now, D Lee, Soriano, and A-Ram, and they have some decent young pitching

I think if we make any kind of move, it's going to be snagging one of the big free agent pitchers

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Where is that panic button?

If the Cubs sign Zito or Schmidt, they have to be front runners for the division and perhaps the pennent. However as long as their pitching sucks, more offense won't give them the boost they want.

by Zubin on Nov 19, 2006 4:09 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

the cubs

they are not gonna be able to afford zito or schmidt, but i could see us picking up carlos lee, but if he wants those dollars (IMO lee is better than soriano anyway)

by cards4ever on Nov 19, 2006 5:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

kinda deal, they can have the Fonz. Unless they seriously upgrade pitching (which I don't see happening now), it'll just be another Sosa kinda thing--he'll hit the HR's, keep Wrigley full, and by october it won't mean squat. Walt better not make a panic deal based on this. This will certainly improve the Cubs, but make them dangerous? Nada. I'd love to see Carlos Lee in Bird red, but not for that deal.

by rockin redbird on Nov 19, 2006 4:10 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

soriano

soriano is good but on opening day he will be 31 and they will be stuck with him until hes 39 years old paying him 17 or 18 million a year, theres no way when hes 37-39 he can maintain this type of production dont get me wrong soriano is an all star player but look at what happened with the astros and bagwell, they were stuck paying him 17 million to do absolutely nothing for 2 years

by truemun12 on Nov 19, 2006 4:11 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

agreed

this contract could be an albatross for the Cubs by that time, unless he helps them win a World Series. If that happens once it will be a great signing no matter how bad he may suck by the time he's 39.

by Baseball addict on Nov 19, 2006 4:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Total A-Rod contract

They'll end up eating some this contract before it's over.

The weird thing is, for his and Aramis' money, couldn't they could have got both Schmidt and Zito and still filled in the gaps w/ decent production in the OF and 3B? Strange moves on the north side this November.

And no matter how good they're line up looks on paper, it's important to remember something: They're the Cubs. They'll eff it up somehow. They always do.

Cheers

by Alxfritz on Nov 19, 2006 4:34 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Meh...

by cardsrul on Nov 19, 2006 4:37 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Worst. Contract. Ever.

They still have money left over to sign a FA starter... His name is Jason Marquis.

by guayzimi on Nov 19, 2006 4:43 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Possible Cubs lineup?

Soriano
De Rosa
Lee
Ramirez
Barrett
Jones
Izturis
Cedeno

Another option would be to lead Izturis off and get Soriano/Lee/Ramirez hitting together in the lineup....

Well that lineup is no joke, but of course they still have plenty of pitching questions. Defensively, they'll have good infield D and bad outfield D. And bad catching D unless Blanco is back there.

by Baseball addict on Nov 19, 2006 4:48 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

You've got

two 2nd basemen in that Cubs line up in Cedeno (who is now a second baseman with Izturis on the team)& DeRosa)

They like up like this for the time being:

Soriano CF
DeRosa 2B
Lee 1B
Ramirez 3B
Barrett C
Jones RF
Murton LF
Izturis SS
Pitcher

It's been a while since the Cubs have signed a first tier free agent, Cubs fans are pleased to see the team spend some $ to improve the team. Until the Cubs shore up that pitching staff though, the Cards are still the team to beat in my eyes.

A Cubs fan just visiting

by brianp88 on Nov 20, 2006 10:01 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

whoops

i forgot about murton....

by Baseball addict on Nov 20, 2006 11:31 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Gotta admit...

...that 1-6 is a damn good lineup in my book. If I'm the Cubs, I give Pierre another shot at CF and batting leadoff followed by Soriano, Lee and Rameriez. Can always drop Pierre to No. 8 if he falters (again). I would say, too, that's a TLR-type of lineup with a traditional leadoff man, a guy capable of "damage" at No. 2, a silver slugger at No. 3 and capable cleanup hitter at No. 4, and guys like Jones or Barrett flip-flopping between No. 5 & No. 6.

Gotta hope the Cubs pitching holds to Cubs tradition and falls apart.

Baily

by Baily on Nov 20, 2006 1:16 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

i am actually happy

that the cubs are blowing all this money, the saying goes "you can't win if you can't pitch" and they don't have much, i do think this forces walt to make a big move though, if we still want to be the division champs

by cards4ever on Nov 19, 2006 5:19 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

wow

I thought a FIVE year contract with soriano would be a bad idea... and the cubs signed him to an EIGHT year contract? avg of 17 per? Talk about a golden albatross.

The cubs may be able to make themselves into the team to beat in '07, but they just killed themselves for '10 on.

2006 stl cardinals - all of the glory, none of the goat hair.

by SleepyCA on Nov 19, 2006 6:46 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

How much money do they have to spend?

Is there any word on if this contract is frontloaded or has some option years on it?

Anyways, the Cubbies cant have too much more money to spend this offseason, which is good for us.

This is a horrible decision in the long term for the Cubbies, (assuming its a totally balenced, 17m/years), Hes gonna be a Cubby for life. Hes gonna be 38 by the end of this contract and hes not gonna get better as he gets older. And anyways, this was a career year, its the exception, not the norm with him. He'll probabaly be a 30 HR, .280 BA, 30 SB guy for the next 2-4 years andits all downhill from there.

by gopher100 on Nov 19, 2006 6:52 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I believe it's heavily backloaded

Something like 22 million per for the last three years of the contract. With that being said, if they still have the money to land a front of the rotation pitcher to go along with crazy carlos then they will be a very good team and it's not that bad of a deal (for now, will be in 4-5 yrs).

If they just hampered themselves from being able to land the pitching they need then it was a very stupid move. Time will tell.

Also, let's not forget that they are going to have to dish out big money to crazy Carlos to extend him.

by Pujols4Pres on Nov 20, 2006 10:39 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

According to

BCB, they have around 10 million left to spend. Correct or not, I do believe this was the money shot and their pitching isn't going to significantly improve. We'll see, but even if they did get Zito or Schmidt for another ridiculous 5 year or so huge-money deal, that would be okay. They'd be dangerous for a year or two (maybe--if the injury bug doesn't bite) and then be sunk for years with the weight of those contracts. This effort to buy a WS and become the Yanx of the NL is a move of pure desperation and has a far better chance of biting them badly in the long run than working out perfectly for the short term. It is the Cubs after all, and this isn't even close to the first time they've had a handful of kickass players. The question marks still remain: Will Prior be healthy and return to form? Will Soriano repeat a career year or drift back? Will DLee repeat a career year or drift back? Will ARam (who just got screwed by the Fonzie signing, btw) learn how to hit and hustle before the AS break? Will Lou be a galvanizing force or a clubhouse divider? Has Zambrano matured enough to control himself and realize his potential? All those things and many more will have to work out just right for them within the next two years if they are to win a WS this way. Lotsa big 'ifs', and historically the big 'ifs' have never worked out for the Cubs. Besides, look what our guys just did. They brought home the gold while all the really big spenders sat home and watched on TV. 'Give 'em enough rope,' I say.

by rockin redbird on Nov 20, 2006 12:22 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Also

according to posters at BCB (who may or may not know shite from Shinola), the deal is straight up--no options, no incentives. Crikey! If that's correct, they better win a WS by 08 or "The Curse Of Fonzie" will be their next excuse :-)

by rockin redbird on Nov 20, 2006 6:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Cubs throwing around money.....

Like a hoosier (white trash for you non-St. Louis based/raised fans) that just won the lottery. You cannot buy taste.

He will be the fifth highest contract in baseball behind...

A-Rod
Jeter
Manny
Helton

Which of these would you chose first? Even at even money, I would be pressed to take Soriano anywhere but third, behind Jeter, A-Rod or Manny.

At the money that they are paying, this is just a joke.

by Brock20 on Nov 19, 2006 7:44 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Um, OBP?

This makes no sense to me. If Soriano were that missing piece that would enable the Cubbies to win the Series, then MAYBE I could understand it. This contract is ridiculous and he doesn't necessarily help them in the lead-off hole. For years, they have needed someone to get on base in front of their big boppers. Now, they still don't have someone to do that yet they have another big bopper, which I don't want to downplay. I just don't understand what their philosophy is as they build their team...

Soriano OBP

.304
.332
.338
.324
.309
.351

Career: .325

Cubs Team in 2006: .319 (last in NL)

Cubs #1 Hole in 2006: .329 (12th in NL)

by bgh on Nov 19, 2006 9:07 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Cubs not done??

Folks this is getting crazy but there are strong rumors going around that the Cubs are not done quite yet.

A name I have seen that could be a Cub soon (again just rumors)....
JD Drew

by KYCards on Nov 19, 2006 9:47 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

HA!

He'd be a perfect Cub--lots of wasted potential.

by rockin redbird on Nov 20, 2006 1:05 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I don't expect them to be done

But they should definitely be done with the lineup. They need pitching. If they went out and got another bat instead of pitching, Hendry should be stoned by the north side of Chicago.

by Pujols4Pres on Nov 20, 2006 10:41 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Just for comparisons sake

Since 2004:
Carlos Lee (June 20, 1976)
100 HRs 43 SBs 329 RBIs 238Ks 169 BBs .297BA/.866 OPS

Alfonso Soriano (January 7, 1976)
110 HRs 89 SBs 290 RBIs 406Ks 133 BBs .275BA/.847 OPS

Soriano +10 HRs, +46 SBs, -39 RBIs, +168Ks, -36 BBs, -.022BA/-.019 OPS

I can only imagine what Carlos Lee is going to get paid now.

Walk your dog, not Pujols.

by Hardcore Legend on Nov 19, 2006 9:52 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

geez

Good point, luckily Lee doesn't have nearly as much hype surrounding him.

Acquire Barry Zito!

by aet15 on Nov 19, 2006 10:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Strange

Does anyone else think the Cubs spending is especially strange given the pending sale of the Tribune Company? You would think that this contract in particular would decrease the value of the franchise? Maybe the Cubs franchise is a minimal piece of the Tribune Company on the whole, but the whole thing strikes me as strange...

by Lawless on Nov 19, 2006 10:47 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I think the

pending sale is exactly why they're spending like a drunken sailor. The whole mess will be somebody else's problem soon enough. Now, how that affects the franchise value...dunno. You'd think it would decrease the value, but I couldn't imagine Tribco shooting itself in the foot that way :-)

by rockin redbird on Nov 20, 2006 1:14 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

As long as

the cubs have a rotation that is rounded out by Glendon Rusch, Sean Marshall, Rich Hill and Carlos Marmol I don't think any of us should be worried

by Bullet Bob Gibson on Nov 20, 2006 3:38 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

the rotation

they have a little cash left as well as some trading pieces. if they think soriano can play CF they can easily part with pie. they could also dump dumpster on some team looking for a closer and use howry or wood to close.

carlos zambrano
rich hill
jason jennings/jake westbrook*acquired via trade*
sean marshall?
mark prior/wade miller

its a decent rotation. it could blow up in their face but it could also be pretty darn good. they will go as far as prior's right arm and shoulder will carry them. i really like hill by the way. i think he finally made the adjustment from the minors to the bigs.

by dmb60614 on Nov 20, 2006 1:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Zambrano

Zambrano is a FA next year. So if they want to keep him they will have to pretty much match this deal or make something similar to it. So how will they have any money.

by DimitroffVodka on Nov 20, 2006 8:54 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

On Notice

I'm placing Soriano on notice!

Redbirds Fun
The Kentucky Democrat
2006 WS for JB and DK57

by cardsfan84 on Nov 20, 2006 10:30 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

They needed this

The Cubs needed to throw all this money at at an established offensive machine like Soriano to counter their likely signing of Marquis. Perhaps that will even out the run differential.

Seriously though, it's moronic to hear Cubs fans (and pundits!) talk about this signing like they are now the NL Central favorites. The Cubs will be a rotation of Zambrano followed by four days of a collective holding of breath by Cubs fans.

Cards fans should be cheering this signing more than they are in Chicago, as this hamstrings them for nearly a decade.

by roebirds on Nov 20, 2006 12:40 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Oh golly

I like this article...

The bad news:

The Nationals will get the Cubs' second-round and sandwich picks in the 2007 First-Year Player Draft. Washington will not get Chicago's first-round pick, because the Cubs finished in the bottom 15 of the Major League standings.

The good news:

The Chicago Sun-Times is reporting that free-agent pitcher Gil Meche tops the wish list of Cubs' general manager Jim Hendry. Meche -- who was 11-8 with a 4.48 ERA for the Mariners in 2006 -- is said to be seeking at least $8 million annually.

8 million would eat up just about all of their remaining payroll, depending on the backloadedness of the Soriano deal. That'd leave them with enough for Marquis.

Imagine: Zambrano, Meche, Marquis, Prior -- The All-Headcase rotation!

(I can't bring myself to say anything bad about Hill, Marshall, or Miller.)

by liam on Nov 20, 2006 7:07 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Roster Speculation

Do cubs fans talk about our lineup all the time? I say we dont worry about them untill they show they can get it done on the field.

I know its hard with our lack of activity so far, but I trust that Walt will do well in this players market and give us a chance to get back in the crapshoot next year.

In the playoffs we still have the 2-man wrecking crew that can guide us to a REPEAT TITLE if everything goes our way.

2006 Cardinals- An underdog story

by Born in 82 on Nov 20, 2006 9:29 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Maybe......

$20 million for Soriano won't seem like too much money by the time 2014 rolls around, the way salaries are skyrocketing these days (see Juan Pierre). Hell, maybe by 2014 $20 million will be a typical figure for an arbitration case. If Soriano has enough bat speed left to knock 25 HR in 2014, his contract might not be the albatross it seems like now. I don't know economics too well, just a thought. We'll see.

by Baseball addict on Nov 21, 2006 12:05 AM EST reply actions 0 recs