Sorry. Ah, No!
"Put me in coach. I'm ready to play, (clap clap) today."
Something tells me that Alfonso Soriano isn't signing that tune. The ex-Yankee second-sacker is refusing to play the OF for the Washington Nationals. Soriano was put in the lineup for Monday's spring training game against in LF, but refused to play, and instead sat out. I like Alfonso but come on, where does he get the nerve? I understand he's in a contract year and stands to lose a lot of $$ if he totally tanks in LF. But, that still is no reason to act like a 4-year old that doesn't want to eat his veggies. The Nationals can place Soriano on a "disqualified list," which means he doesn't get paid and loses his service time, and quite frankly I hope they do that. Why does Soriano think he's above the ballclub? The answer, he's looking out for number 1.
The Nationals had to know what they were getting when they traded for him. He's made it clear in the past that he doesn't want to play the OF. That's part of the reason why he was traded from NY and from Texas. Apparently, Texas wouldn't allow the Nats to speak to Soriano until after the deal was done. If true, how does Nats GM Jim Bowden still have a job? Oh yeah, nobody owns the Nats. If this situation doesn't get better, meaning Soriano doesn't play, Bowden might as well pack up his things now because he's going to get canned as soon as the Nats have an owner. If he doesn't, the Nats won't survive in DC because the franchise is being run by a monkey, and that only works in Beantown.
This is basically going to be a no-win situation for everyone. Soriano looks bad if he continues to pout, which will put a damper on his bargaining position next year because no team will want to put up with that. He also loses if he plays the OF and totally tanks. Any guy in his contract year wants to have the best year possible and Soriano doesn't think that's possible in the OF. The Nationals of course lose if they get stuck with Soriano and he decides to sit out, or if he becomes impossible to trade due to the current situation.
It makes no sense that Soriano doesn't want to play the OF. It is entirely possible that he has a good defensive year out there. Let's face it, he's not exactly a gold-glove caliber 2b, how much worse can he do in the OF? If Tony Womack can do it, Soriano should be able to, wouldn't you think? Perhaps Soriano's biggest worry isn't playing in the OF, but it's playing in Washington. His power numbers will certainly drop due to the size of the park, which will also likely decrease his batting average with those long fly outs, making him of course less valuable in the free agent market come bargaining time.
In the end, Soriano will probably end up filing some sort of grievance with the Player's Union, and then who knows what will happen?? Soriano needs to ask himself a simple question: Do I want to play baseball? If the answer is yes, then take the field, and shut up. If you're as good as you think are, it doesn't matter where you play, whether it be in Washington or in the OF. You're talent should speak for you you.
Soriano needs to take the field when his name is on the lineup card. Especially when your manager is a Hall of Famer. Show some respect. If only I could choose to sit out when the wife asks me to clean the bathroom or my boss asks me to work on something. Too bad real life doesn't work that way.
J
"It makes no sense that Soriano doesn't want to play the OF. It is entirely possible that he has a good defensive year out there. Let's face it, he's not exactly a gold-glove caliber 2b, how much worse can he do in the OF."
What I read was that his offensive production would look better at 2B than it would in the OF. Many of the big sluggers are in the OF, and, as you have noted, his numbers are likely to drop in RFK.
I agree with you, he should play the outfield. Lots of guys, especially in Latin America, would give their eyeteeth to play anywhere in the majors. And he's already making way more than the average working stiff in the USA.
Some people don't know when they've got it good.
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Hi Kelia-
I agree his numbers when stacked up against those at 2b, would look better than they would comapred to those in the OF.
I don't know how true this is but I was listening to MLB on XM on my way home from work, and a reporter for the paper in Washington, both his and the paper's name escape me but it was probably the Post, commented that Soriano's numbers in 2005 when compared to NL left fielders would be in the top 3. If true, that's still not bad and still bodes well for getting a larger payday next year.
Even if he plays in the OF, any team he signs with in '07 can always play him at 2b. I don't know if Soriano realizes that. I don't think it was the Nats intention to "rent" Soriano for a year. Perhaps, the two should get together, talk about an extension for a little more dough, and then the whole problem might go away.
J
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Soriano is in the right...
He's looking at his legacy and his ability to get the big free agent paycheck and eventually the big hall of fame induction as a 2nd basemen...***** right he has a right to be selfish...
Who else has been asked to move their position in their prime?? Oh yeah, AROD.... And he moved to another infield position.. That's the deal the Yankees made with him before they signed the big deal... Ballsy considering they were moving the Gold Glove ss but that was the Yankees franchise and not the Expos/Nationals/MLB.
Didn't he win his arbitration case as a second basemen, not a left fielder?
Why you would trade for one all star 2nd basemen when you already have an all star 2nd baseman? Doesn't make sense.... But this is the Expos...
Jeter wouldn't move when Arod trade was discussed and I don't think Soriano should have to bow to a losing orphan franchise..
I'm guessing he's the largest salary on that roster and he was put there to fill the seats....Cash baby....
Washington wanted to make a big splash at the winter meetings and they're paying for the publicity now...
The team was selfish and foolish in thinking they could change what has been Alfonso's public position since this whole OF scenarios was discussed.
He's played almost all of his major league regular and postseason games in the infield (minus some DH work)..
Why not ask Vidro to move?
Anybody ask for that yet?
I say Sori fight it all...sit out if you have to..
Or play the absolute minimum games to become a free agent and tell the Nationals to stick it..
The Mets could use you, maybe those Bosox.. Seattle has no 2nd baseman since their juiced up Boone was dispensed.
Frank Robinson is one of the biggest horses ***,(playing chicken with the umpires last year was one of the latest),hall of famer or not...
Bowden is a joke and should be brushing up his resume...
Fight it Sori- I'm on your side, buddy...
And then you can tell Frank Robinson what you think in a few years at your induction to Cooperstown as a secondbasemen
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I applaud his willingness to stand up for what he wants or believes in, but as long as he wants to collect a paycheck, whether it be this year or next, he needs to take the field. He gains nothing by sitting out.
It'll be interesting to see how this ends up.
J
(Glad to see your PC is working. "Seattle was robbed" is going down when they meet up with "Da Hamburglers!!")
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Jason,
Decided to check out your blog and I like it. As I wrote on my site though, the reason Soriano doesn't want to play in the OF is because offensively, he's just average, and therefor doesn't command the salary he would at 2B. And he's afraid of the Nats setting a precedence - if they play him in left, everyone will want to do so because as a defensive 2B, he's worthless.
In any case, I like your blog. You mentioned that yours was really a hobby, mine is more of an escape. I can study, write a post, and study again. It's much more fun then just surfing the net and wasting time. Keep up the good work.
http://www.reid.mlblogs.com
-Reid
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