Monday, November 20, 2006
$136 Million!?!?!?!
I’m curious what all you Cub fans think about the recent signing of Alfonso Soriano. Excellent offensive player no doubt, but not the strongest defensive player. Is he really worth $136 million? That is $17 million each year for the next 8 years. When Soriano is 39 years old do you still think he is going to be worth 17 million? This is a guy who was barely an MVP candidate (he received only one vote and it was for third place) and the Cubs somehow thought that translated into $136 million. It’s mind boggling. The Astros reportedly were real close to signing Carlos Lee (a real similar player to Soriano) for almost half that amount about a week ago. I have a feeling they won’t be getting anywhere close to that 5 year $75 million deal they were offering now, thanks to Jim Hendry. Also, how does D-Lee feel about this? He is hands down a better player in every aspect of the game yet he isn’t even getting paid $10 million.
This signing seems really short sighted. The Cubs really need pitching but with all the money they have been throwing around building their offense, I don’t see how they can afford any top tier pitchers that might come available in the next 5 years. Do they have a bunch of young pitchers in the minors that they expect to make the leap? I have a feeling Soriano will be a great player for the next 2-3 years a good player for the following 2 years and then I really don’t know what you can expect from him after that. I highly doubt he will be deserving of $17 million in 5 to 6 years.
By the way, what happened to all the Cub fans? You sign 2 of the top 3 offensive players in this years FA market and don’t post one thing about it. When was the last time Mike told everyone how young Mark Prior is? I know the Cubs suck, but they have always sucked and that never kept you from posting about them before.
This signing seems really short sighted. The Cubs really need pitching but with all the money they have been throwing around building their offense, I don’t see how they can afford any top tier pitchers that might come available in the next 5 years. Do they have a bunch of young pitchers in the minors that they expect to make the leap? I have a feeling Soriano will be a great player for the next 2-3 years a good player for the following 2 years and then I really don’t know what you can expect from him after that. I highly doubt he will be deserving of $17 million in 5 to 6 years.
By the way, what happened to all the Cub fans? You sign 2 of the top 3 offensive players in this years FA market and don’t post one thing about it. When was the last time Mike told everyone how young Mark Prior is? I know the Cubs suck, but they have always sucked and that never kept you from posting about them before.
Comments:
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I like the move, simply because their outfield offensive production was awful last year. And while I agree that he blows on defense, isn't that what they make corner outfielders for? Hardly any of them can really do much out there, a few exceptions aside.
They will also sign Gil Meche for fairly little, and he will be a nice number 3 starter, but the rest of the staff is pretty bad.
Overall: I like the signing, but I agree with you that it doesn't make the Cubs a contender. I think the strategy, if there is one, is to build offensive depth (as evidenced by the DeRosa signing, keeping young OFs, etc), easier to do in the short term, and build the pitching staff over the next two years with the hopes of competing in like 08 or 09. At least that's what I would do.
They will also sign Gil Meche for fairly little, and he will be a nice number 3 starter, but the rest of the staff is pretty bad.
Overall: I like the signing, but I agree with you that it doesn't make the Cubs a contender. I think the strategy, if there is one, is to build offensive depth (as evidenced by the DeRosa signing, keeping young OFs, etc), easier to do in the short term, and build the pitching staff over the next two years with the hopes of competing in like 08 or 09. At least that's what I would do.
I really like Soriano. I just don't understand the 8 year deal. When did Omar Minaya become the GM for the Cubs? You usually don't see great offensive production out of 36 year old ball players. Especially in the NL. The AL has a couple of good hitters that are 36 or older (Thome and the Big Hurt) but they were DHs and both have been shaky at best over the past couple of years. Look at this years offensive leaders in the NL. The two oldest players in the mix are Berkman and Soriano, both were 30. With the exception of those two, every other batter who was in the top five for batting average, home runs, and RBI's were all in their 20's. I have a feeling Soriano's contract is going to be a huge burden on the Cubs in years to come.
But hey, at least the Cubs have signed someone and you won't have to worry about this for a couple of years.
But hey, at least the Cubs have signed someone and you won't have to worry about this for a couple of years.
I'm not too worried about it; I personally think that the Cubs were that ultra-aggressive out of the gate for two reasons:
1. Most important: to show other free agents they are serious this year, and want to win a World Series now.
2. To not risk getting in a bidding war and have someone back door them.
I am happy about it. Is 8 years ridiculous? Of course. The money? Pretty ridiculous, but not completely outrageous. But hearing "paid way too much for ______" and having "The Cubs" at the beginning of that sentence hasn't happened since, well, ever.
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1. Most important: to show other free agents they are serious this year, and want to win a World Series now.
2. To not risk getting in a bidding war and have someone back door them.
I am happy about it. Is 8 years ridiculous? Of course. The money? Pretty ridiculous, but not completely outrageous. But hearing "paid way too much for ______" and having "The Cubs" at the beginning of that sentence hasn't happened since, well, ever.
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