12-29-2009, 04:19 PM
<!--quoteo(post=73286:date=Dec 29 2009, 02:11 PM:name=Scarey)-->QUOTE (Scarey @ Dec 29 2009, 02:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=73263:date=Dec 29 2009, 02:29 PM:name=cherp)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (cherp @ Dec 29 2009, 02:29 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->I tell you what I'd think about doing if I were the Cubs - go to the Yanks and offer them Soriano AND Zambrano for one top 100 type pitching prospect...I am not sure they'd bite, but if they did, that's 165mm freed up. Would give a new GM a whole lot of leverage to craft a team with FAs coming up in the next few years named Pujols, Reyes, Rollins, Jeter, Mauer, Crawford, Beckett, Cain, Lee and Wood.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I gotta step in and say this is all flawed thinking. You're talking about dumping contracts to sign these guys. However, you don't think they're all gonna want 10 year deals approaching the $200 mill range? Sure, Mauer is a lot better than Soriano in comparison right now. But what happens 3 years down the line when Mauer's knees start giving him trouble and he has to start taking weeks at a time off? Or what about the fact that Jimmy Rollins is a middle infielder wtih good speed that relies quite a bit on his speed in the way he plays the game? Hello, Beckett's arm could go back to injured every other week.
Those guys on the list could be the next "Soriano contract". It just doesn't seem right to criticize Soriano's contract and yell about it but turn around and talk about signing 30ish year old free agent superstars.
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That's certainly possible. And it is doubtful that the Yanks would take those two deals even if they didn't have to give up anything for them. But I predict that I'd much rather have any of those guys at whatever they end up signing at over Soriano with what he has left. Now it is entirely possible that in 3-4 years we are saying that about those guys too - but it is 100% sure that we are saying it today about Soriano. (Unless there are folks expecting him to turn it around...)
Right now, Soriano's contract isn't killing the Cubs. His production, while not what expected, is OK. But I'd dump that deal in a heartbeat and take my chances with whomever the GM could get for that money.
It is, as Coldneck said, a pipe dream. Nobody would want Alf without boatloads of cash with him.
Put it this way, the Cubs will put him on irrevocable waivers and it is unlikely anyone would claim him. (that was also said about Rios - and the Sox blew a boatload of cash on him)
I gotta step in and say this is all flawed thinking. You're talking about dumping contracts to sign these guys. However, you don't think they're all gonna want 10 year deals approaching the $200 mill range? Sure, Mauer is a lot better than Soriano in comparison right now. But what happens 3 years down the line when Mauer's knees start giving him trouble and he has to start taking weeks at a time off? Or what about the fact that Jimmy Rollins is a middle infielder wtih good speed that relies quite a bit on his speed in the way he plays the game? Hello, Beckett's arm could go back to injured every other week.
Those guys on the list could be the next "Soriano contract". It just doesn't seem right to criticize Soriano's contract and yell about it but turn around and talk about signing 30ish year old free agent superstars.
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That's certainly possible. And it is doubtful that the Yanks would take those two deals even if they didn't have to give up anything for them. But I predict that I'd much rather have any of those guys at whatever they end up signing at over Soriano with what he has left. Now it is entirely possible that in 3-4 years we are saying that about those guys too - but it is 100% sure that we are saying it today about Soriano. (Unless there are folks expecting him to turn it around...)
Right now, Soriano's contract isn't killing the Cubs. His production, while not what expected, is OK. But I'd dump that deal in a heartbeat and take my chances with whomever the GM could get for that money.
It is, as Coldneck said, a pipe dream. Nobody would want Alf without boatloads of cash with him.
Put it this way, the Cubs will put him on irrevocable waivers and it is unlikely anyone would claim him. (that was also said about Rios - and the Sox blew a boatload of cash on him)