Soriano?

by Joltin Joe Orsulak on Dec 7, 2005 11:49 PM EST Comment 10 comments

Alfonso Soriano has been traded to the Nationals for Brad Wilkerson, Terrmel Sledge and a player to be named, ESPNews reports.

I guess they're thinking he can play center, since Vidro is theoretically healthy, and he's an even worse defender at second than Jose, even without his legs.

I'll have to digest this a bit -- Soriano is pretty overrated, but that doesn't mean he isn't good. And he'll add some much-needed power to the lineup. Doesn't really help the Nats' low-OBP ways much, though, and he'll be 30 next year. I guess it depends on what you expect out of Wilkerson over the next few years...

0 recs | Comment 10 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

How stupid can one man be???

This is Vinny Castilla ALL OVER AGAIN. Bowden is the new National Disgrace. How can a GM have zero absolutely zero concept of park effects? It totally blows my mind...

Unfortunately Basils sig:
Washington Nationals 2006: Now Without Vinny Castilla!

no longer applies. Bowden went out and got a new Vinny to plague us in '06.

by natsfan2005 on Dec 8, 2005 12:08 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Soriano

I've said it before and I'll say it again - we need new ownership now and hopefully they hire Theo to be GM. Bowden is not a National Disgrace but he is doing his best to seriously f*** up the team with these stupid moves.

by Razr on Dec 8, 2005 1:24 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Soriano

In response to this I've modified the "Put a Milo on him" phrase from Moneyball to "Put a Vinny on him" - this denotes the player who is the Vinny of that year. Any thoughts?

Put a Vinny on him

by Razr on Dec 8, 2005 1:28 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

After consideration

I don't think that this is quite Castilla, but it's still pretty bad. It's selling very low on Wilkerson, who was injured most of last year, but who has been very (quietly) productive for several years.

Soriano is simply a PR move. People see the average, the steals, and the homers (without understanding park context) and think he's great. He'll probably help draw some fans, honestly.

He's not as bad or as obviously washed up as Castilla was. I've already used this line elsewhere, but I'll use it again -- he's not terrible, just terribly overrated.

But I agree with the general point -- this simply doesn't help the team get any better. He costs too much and isn't likely to stay as good as he has been. The short-sighted, short-term thinking in how this team is operating drives me nuts.

by Joltin Joe Orsulak on Dec 8, 2005 7:04 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Soriano vs Castilla

Well, I think it's a worse move than Vinny considering the salaries and the fact that Vinny was just a signing... Soriano the Nats give up Wilkerson, Sledge and I've heard the PTBNL is a top pitching prospect named Armando Galaraga. He'll also either play BRUTAL defense and 2B or huff and puff everyday about how he doesn't want to play LF.

I'm probably not the typical Nat fan but this move is gonna make me less likely to go to the park and watch games on TV then I did in 2005. Sure, the average fan doesn't understand park effects but the average fan will probably notice when June comes around and Soriano is hitting .228 with just 8 home runs.

by natsfan2005 on Dec 8, 2005 7:56 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I'll explain my pessimism a little more

Besides the massive difference in run environments from Ballpark @ARL vs RFK I have a few other reasons I think Soriano will tank BIG time.

Has been in decline for a few seasons now
Doesn't know NL pitchers
Notoriously stubborn hitter who doesn't make adjustments

And, I think if Guillen struggles hitting home runs @ RFK again and Soriano does the the same... there is potential for a player uprising about RFK (ala Nevin/Klesko @Petco). Guillen has a history of being a malcontent and he has kept it in check pretty well here... but if he's got a buddy to moan about RFK with it may ignite the flame.

Bowden needs to be kneecapped ASAP.

by natsfan2005 on Dec 8, 2005 8:12 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Hard to argue with any of that

The pessimism is contagious. I just hope this isn't the "legitimate leadoff hitter" they've been talking about.

Talent-wise, I think Soriano isn't as bad as Castilla, and I'm not all that upset about losing Sledge. But for the love of God, can't they make at least one move that sets this team up for the future? If you're going to deal Wilkerson, why not aim for some under-30 players (perhaps Jimbo didn't notice that Soriano aged two years as part of his trade to Texas)? Why give minor leaguers rather than stockpiling them? Geez. It makes you envy the Marlins. We don't have a single player as good as their young guys, and we don't have any prospects (Zimmerman excepted) as good as the guys they're bringing in.

Still, I hold out some reasonable hope that this won't be an on-the-field disaster in the way that Castilla was.

by Joltin Joe Orsulak on Dec 8, 2005 8:23 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Vidro

I guess the "solution" there would be to trade Vidro and play Soriano at second. (Better from an "offensive production for the defensive spectrum" perspective, I suppose---assuming Vidro can't be trusted to stay healthy.)

But is that "solution" practical? Which teams a) have a need at second base, b) can take on the salary, c) haven't noticed his decline, and d) aren't deterred by the possibility of injury? Easier said than done, I suppose.

Which would put both on the same 25-man roster. I guess Soriano, in addition to an OF slot (which he might refuse?) is insurance should Vidro go down. Of course, Jackson and then Marlon Anderson are there for that. Now Anderson is merely a super-PH and back-up 1B/OF? For two years?

Anyway, I don't want to ramble. That's what my posts are for. ;-)

I want to say that this trade is more pointless than bad, but I can't at this point. I'll have to consider its positive aspects more fully when I have a chance.

Washington Nationals 2006: Now Without Vinny Castilla!

by Basil on Dec 8, 2005 9:15 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Soriano, last 3 years, by situation

By Situation AVG/OBP/SLG/OPS
Bases Empty/ No Out .310/.347/.600/.947
Bases Empty .289/.333/.535/.868
Runners On .266/.311/.467/.778
RISP .248/.301/.437/.738
Man on 3rd, <2 out .325/.327/.403/.730
Close & Late .263/.309/.417/.726

Was surprised to see that Soriano does actually focus on just getting a hit rather than swinging from his heels during "Man on 3rd, <2 out" situations. But overall this does show that he becomes a much easier out in any kind of crucial situation.

Bowden needs to be kneecapped ASAP.

by natsfan2005 on Dec 8, 2005 10:18 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Soriano's Stats

And it does bear repeating that's with the help of his home ballpark.

And, considering we need a leadoff guy, someone who gets on-base at an above average rate, Soriano is certainly not going to get the job done there - his highest OBP was .338 in 2003.

He is also atrocious at 2B.

Although I don't think Trader Jim is smart enough to do this and I doubt he will find a GM stupid enough to do it either, TRADE SORIANO NOW.

Put a Vinny on him

by Razr on Dec 8, 2005 1:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs