A few interesting news items to comment on today. The first big position player of the 2006 free agent class has been signed. Alfonso Soriano, a personal favorite, has agreed to an 8 year, $132 million deal with the Chicago Cubs. That is ridiculous, stupendous money. $16.5 million a season is a big sum, and the Cubs are one of the few teams that can dole it out like candy. Finally, they're opening their wallet for their fans. It's a good move actually. The money is stupid, but Wrigley is home to the longest championship drought in the Majors, despite one of the deepest bank accounts. May as well try to buy one.
Soriano will likely shift to center field at Wrigley. He will do fine at that position, as he showed himself quite capable of playing an exceptional outfield last season, leading the Major Leagues with 22 outfield assists. I have always loved the kid, and he'll be a Yankee to me until the day he retires. I think the people in Chi-town will appreciate his dynamic style of play, and he ought to hit a ton of home runs in the friendly confines of Wrigley. Watch out for the ivy and brick out there Sori.
The other signing of note is the 2-year deal that the Dodgers struck with Nomah. It looked unlikely that the Yankees had a shot to relocate Garciaparra to the Bronx, but it was worth a wish or two. At this point, Shea Hillebrand appears to be the frontrunner to play first for the Bombers next year. I'm not mad at that, but it doesn't thrill me either. It seems unecessary. Read my post about Rich Aurilia from yesterday to see how I feel about the Yankees spending on a mediocre corner infielder.
The All Star Game appears to be headed for Yankee Stadium in 2008. That ought to be a hell of a send off to the greatest sports facility in the history of the world. I know it's not exactly the House that Ruth Built, after the 1970s renovations, but it has played host to 26 World Champions and has seen the likes of Ruth, Gehrig, Dimaggio, Berra, Mantle, Maris, Reggie, Jeter, and Mariano Rivera play on its hallowed grass, among others. Knowing the significance of the that season, you can bet that the Yankees are going to go into 2008 and 2009 with a HUGE push for a title, one for the old stadium and one for the new. Johan Santana may be comin' to town......
Monday, November 20, 2006
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14 comments:
Mike, it's a dumb move. Paying Soriano that much money isn't "buying a title" it's throwing money out the window. Soriano isn't going to turn a 64 win team into a contender by himself. They have no reliable pitching outside of Zambrano. It's a sexy move, and it will fire up the Wrigley faithful for a while, but it's a dumb move at the same time.
Also, The thought of the Shea Hey! kid in pinstripes makes me want to throw up a little.
Soriano alone can't win them a title, but they aren't done. They are going to try to buy a title by breaking the bank.
That was my main point. It's a stupid expenditure out of context. In the context of their plan, it makes sense. Only to them, but it still makes sense. ;)
Good news for Soriano,
bad news for the Cubs...
God bless the Cubs!
Where is team concept of this team? Especially Arod, moving runners onbase on scoring position. He left too many runners stranded.What is the meaning of Pesky? Fouling alot pitches back and don't strike out. I want Arod to get onbase such get a walk or hit by pitch. I think Arod's was so scared at the plate , that He's strikesout to much. Scott Brosius and Paul Oneill are great peksy hitters and clutch in the post season. In the Posteason, I don't know How Arod can't still figured out how to be clutch and get a damn hit? Also, Opposing Pitchers will try to exposed Arod weakness in postseaon such certain type Pitches He can't in regular season such as sliders,splitters, high-fastball. Arod needs to proved himself that He can hit those pitches that opposing throw at him in the postseason.
I don't hate Arod. Look at Jeter, this year and last year playoffs, He's so calm and relax at plate. Arod's so much power and better player than Jeter, and yet jeter gets it done. What kind of Arod have in past two postseasons?
Morneau won the mvp today. what an upset
I'm shocked Morneu win the Mvp over Jeter
Shut you mouth Yankees Haters. and bashers. Jeter's deserved The Mvp this year. He's the Mvp. Jeter's has been consistent all season long with Injuries The Yankees have all season long with Matsui and Sheff. Arod's continue to struggles at the plate and not able to hit in the clutch. Robinson Cano was out two months with Hamstring Injuries . Abreu was july 31 trade deadline acquisition.
Morneau who should win, and he''s not even the Mvp of His team..Voters and writers hateThe Yankees especially Jeter, He deserved to win the Mvp.East Coast Bias, especially The Yankees.. , They spend too much money and all stars in every position.
Jeter's was supposed to win mvp this year because Yankees have more injuries in their lineup than twins does. I guess voters did not vote for Jeter, because they think jeter have more supporting cast and more hitters than Morneau Arod was inconsistent and unable to hit clutch situations all year long. Giambi was hurt with wrist.
Stephon marbury = Alex Rodriguez = Jeremy Shockey
They are not a team guyand They are not winners in my book.
Mariners won 114 games since Arod left. Same with Marbury who left phoenix suns.
Enough of these love Affairs for Arod.
To Paula,
what a big joke,
A-Rod is still the best player in baseball,
there's no reason to blame him,
especially when nobody is hitting,
if you don't think A-Rod is a winner,
then no one is a winner in baseball...
Morneau robs Jeter a MVP
Morneau robs Jeter an MVP
Lily is 1-3 and has 3.97 era against Redsox. Talk about Dominating vs. boston. Don't Talk about too much and hype about this guy. He stinks and awful.
I wished Soriano the best when the Yanks traded him for A-Rod. Looks like he got it.
For the life of me, I have never understood why people knock on A-Rod. Never. I mean, I've heard the arguments, but none of them have ever registered. Nothing can convince me that a guy who has a 140 OPS+ in a down year is anything but an excellent baseball player. As for the team guy thing, if Torre had asked him to bunt, he would have bunted. It would have been ridiculous, but nothing I've seen suggests he's too full of himself to do it.
I still like Ted-O, but there's no way the Yanks should sign him in this market. I think Lilly's rep as a Sox-killer is overblown, but even a league average pitcher is nothing to sneeze at going fourth or fifth in the rotation, and that's exactly where the Yanks need help. Of course, they also need a #1, but Wang could fill that role, and I'd be much more confident in his capacity to do it if he upped his K/9 just a little. Nothing great, anything in the 5 range would be enough.
They've got Rasner and Karstens, they should try living with one of those two at least until Hughes starts to dominate AAA the way he's dominated every other minor league level after a few starts.
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