01-28-2009, 07:09 PM
<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec--><b>Chicago Cubs' Alfonso Soriano OK with not being leading man</b>
By Dave van Dyck | Tribune reporter
9:14 PM CST, January 27, 2009
Just into the third year of an eight-year, $136 million contract, it is becoming clear Alfonso Soriano has no leg to stand on—so to speak—in insisting he bat leadoff.
It is even becoming clear to him, given his age, injuries and diminishing speed. Soriano says he will go to spring training in three weeks with a fresh attitude, maybe even a new commitment.
"I feel comfortable batting leadoff and any [place] in the lineup," he said recently at the Cubs Convention. "It's not about me, it's about the team and what [manager Lou Piniella] wants to do this year because, I'm 33 now and they think I can't run anymore."
He has stolen only 19 bases in each of the last two seasons compared to 30 or more in five of the previous six years.
"My [injury] problem in April is because of cold weather," Soriano said. "I want to work on my legs and see what happens. I want to work hard and play 162 games this year."
Because of multiple leg strains, including one from his trademark hop while catching fly balls, Soriano has been limited to his two lowest game totals while playing for the Cubs, including just 109 last year.
But even if he's healthy, how many bases can he steal? Maybe 41 again like he did the season before he signed with the Cubs?
"Oh, man, it's a little different now," he said. "[Pitchers] have slide steps. I don't know how many, but my legs feel good. I want to be the same guy I used to be three or four years ago."
That would be setting a very high standard—higher, obviously, than in his two Cubs seasons.
In 2006 with Washington, Soriano stole 41 bases, scored 119 runs and hit 46 homers and 41 doubles, making him one of the game's top leadoff hitters and, in some respects, the best.But maybe what the Cubs have seen —an average of 19 stolen bases, 87 runs and 31 homers—is what they will get for $16 million this year and $18 million through 2014.
Part of the problem in moving Soriano is that there is no logical replacement, although Ryan Theriot is the fastest regular.<b> Newcomer Aaron Miles, who has stolen only eight total bases the last three seasons,</b> (fuck yeah, Jim!) would seem better suited batting second or eighth.
As for Piniella, he continues to avoid the question of who will bat leadoff, having tried last spring to move Soriano without success.
"He's a player, he wants to win," Piniella said at the Cubs Convention. "He has all the money in the world. What's important to him, basically, is to win.
"We'll talk to him in the spring and see where it goes. We'll put the best combinations out there and the best lineup we can."
Where to bat Soriano is the most important question of the spring for Piniella—and the one Cubs fans talk about most.
<!--coloro:#FF0000--><!--/coloro-->"At this point I don't care," Soriano said. "If the manager wants to move me from leadoff spot, that's fine. I'm tired because every year [critics] start again with the leadoff thing. I don't care, you know?"<!--colorc-->
<!--/colorc-->
Last spring Soriano said the same thing, although not as emphatically. When Piniella did move him during several games, Soriano appeared to sulk. (who GIVES a fuck? Man up and play ball, you pussy!)
"If I don't bat leadoff, I think I can have more RBIs, so I want to be the same guy and … I will do whatever I can do," he said this year. "But [if not leadoff] I want to stay in one spot and not jump around."<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
By Dave van Dyck | Tribune reporter
9:14 PM CST, January 27, 2009
Just into the third year of an eight-year, $136 million contract, it is becoming clear Alfonso Soriano has no leg to stand on—so to speak—in insisting he bat leadoff.
It is even becoming clear to him, given his age, injuries and diminishing speed. Soriano says he will go to spring training in three weeks with a fresh attitude, maybe even a new commitment.
"I feel comfortable batting leadoff and any [place] in the lineup," he said recently at the Cubs Convention. "It's not about me, it's about the team and what [manager Lou Piniella] wants to do this year because, I'm 33 now and they think I can't run anymore."
He has stolen only 19 bases in each of the last two seasons compared to 30 or more in five of the previous six years.
"My [injury] problem in April is because of cold weather," Soriano said. "I want to work on my legs and see what happens. I want to work hard and play 162 games this year."
Because of multiple leg strains, including one from his trademark hop while catching fly balls, Soriano has been limited to his two lowest game totals while playing for the Cubs, including just 109 last year.
But even if he's healthy, how many bases can he steal? Maybe 41 again like he did the season before he signed with the Cubs?
"Oh, man, it's a little different now," he said. "[Pitchers] have slide steps. I don't know how many, but my legs feel good. I want to be the same guy I used to be three or four years ago."
That would be setting a very high standard—higher, obviously, than in his two Cubs seasons.
In 2006 with Washington, Soriano stole 41 bases, scored 119 runs and hit 46 homers and 41 doubles, making him one of the game's top leadoff hitters and, in some respects, the best.But maybe what the Cubs have seen —an average of 19 stolen bases, 87 runs and 31 homers—is what they will get for $16 million this year and $18 million through 2014.
Part of the problem in moving Soriano is that there is no logical replacement, although Ryan Theriot is the fastest regular.<b> Newcomer Aaron Miles, who has stolen only eight total bases the last three seasons,</b> (fuck yeah, Jim!) would seem better suited batting second or eighth.
As for Piniella, he continues to avoid the question of who will bat leadoff, having tried last spring to move Soriano without success.
"He's a player, he wants to win," Piniella said at the Cubs Convention. "He has all the money in the world. What's important to him, basically, is to win.
"We'll talk to him in the spring and see where it goes. We'll put the best combinations out there and the best lineup we can."
Where to bat Soriano is the most important question of the spring for Piniella—and the one Cubs fans talk about most.
<!--coloro:#FF0000--><!--/coloro-->"At this point I don't care," Soriano said. "If the manager wants to move me from leadoff spot, that's fine. I'm tired because every year [critics] start again with the leadoff thing. I don't care, you know?"<!--colorc-->
<!--/colorc-->
Last spring Soriano said the same thing, although not as emphatically. When Piniella did move him during several games, Soriano appeared to sulk. (who GIVES a fuck? Man up and play ball, you pussy!)
"If I don't bat leadoff, I think I can have more RBIs, so I want to be the same guy and … I will do whatever I can do," he said this year. "But [if not leadoff] I want to stay in one spot and not jump around."<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
There's nothing better than to realize that the good things about youth don't end with youth itself. It's a matter of realizing that life can be renewed every day you get out of bed without baggage. It's tough to get there, but it's better than the dark thoughts. -Lance