06-04-2009, 11:16 PM
<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->Geovany Soto seeks out Lou Piniella
Chicago Cubs manager wants slumping catcher to relax
June 5, 2009
ATLANTA -- Another day, another closed meeting between manager Lou Piniella and one of his key players.
This time it was catcher Geovany Soto, who asked to see Piniella about his status after being out of the lineup for two straight days.
Piniella said he wanted to "let this guy relax so when he gets back in he can start anew." So will Soto start Friday night in Cincinnati?
"I don't know about my plan yet," he said. "My plans are very flexible."
Soto is still the starting catcher, but Koyie Hill may get more than one or two starts a week.
"I'm interesting in winning baseball games, OK?" Piniella said. "And if he swings the bat, he'll play more than he has, no question. The object here is to put a team on the field that can win with consistency. But, obviously, Geo is my No. 1 catcher. I'm just giving him a nice, little mental break, and I probably should have done it sooner."<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Chicago Cubs manager wants slumping catcher to relax
June 5, 2009
ATLANTA -- Another day, another closed meeting between manager Lou Piniella and one of his key players.
This time it was catcher Geovany Soto, who asked to see Piniella about his status after being out of the lineup for two straight days.
Piniella said he wanted to "let this guy relax so when he gets back in he can start anew." So will Soto start Friday night in Cincinnati?
"I don't know about my plan yet," he said. "My plans are very flexible."
Soto is still the starting catcher, but Koyie Hill may get more than one or two starts a week.
"I'm interesting in winning baseball games, OK?" Piniella said. "And if he swings the bat, he'll play more than he has, no question. The object here is to put a team on the field that can win with consistency. But, obviously, Geo is my No. 1 catcher. I'm just giving him a nice, little mental break, and I probably should have done it sooner."<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->