How About Soriano In Centerfield?

[YankeePride1967]

And didn't even Alex say that the switch to 3B last year affected his hitting? And of course what takes Alex a season to master the rest of the team could get down in ST.

This argument is so foolish I can't even believe you are entertaining it.

If the ENTIRE TEAM were played out of the position on the field, it would negatively affect their batting. But I guess you see Posada saying "Sweet I get to play 2B to today, I'll swing for the fences b/c I'll be locked in."?

No one is suggesting we make Jorge Posada our closer so I'm not sure what your point is.

[The Q Bomb]

Wow! I guess I'm the only one who thinks that Soriano in CF for The Yanks MIGHT be something worth considering.

I agree with the forumer who said it's not good to have a team full of guys playing out of position. I actually don't like to see any player asked to play out of position. Alex Rodriguez is the rare case when a player transitions to a different position and actually excels at it. However, with Soriano, I thought that since he did play the outfield in spring training (albeit several years ago) and the general consensus at the time was that he did so very well, it might be worth considering. If he is not enthused about it - no, it doesn't make sense.

And apparently, from the comments in this thread - he is a pretty shabby hitter too. I must have seen a pretty different Soriano. I saw a guy who, although he had his faults at the plate (namely the low outside pitch) was a pretty good hitter with very good power. I saw a player who created some unease for the pitcher while on the basepaths. Granted, I saw a hitter who turned a few triples into doubles, and still admired (what he thought were) his homeruns, and who had some very silly at-bats, but I still think of him as a way better than average offensive player. And just for the record, I also must be the only one who thought he was not a terrible second baseman. He was certainly not one of the best - but far from terrible. I must need glasses.

[Sam18]

Wow! I guess I'm the only one who thinks that Soriano in CF for The Yanks MIGHT be something worth considering.

I agree with the forumer who said it's not good to have a team full of guys playing out of position. I actually don't like to see any player asked to play out of position. Alex Rodriguez is the rare case when a player transitions to a different position and actually excels at it. However, with Soriano, I thought that since he did play the outfield in spring training (albeit several years ago) and the general consensus at the time was that he did so very well, it might be worth considering. If he is not enthused about it - no, it doesn't make sense.

And apparently, from the comments in this thread - he is a pretty shabby hitter too. I must have seen a pretty different Soriano. I saw a guy who, although he had his faults at the plate (namely the low outside pitch) was a pretty good hitter with very good power. I saw a player who created some unease for the pitcher while on the basepaths. Granted, I saw a hitter who turned a few triples into doubles, and still admired (what he thought were) his homeruns, and who had some very silly at-bats, but I still think of him as a way better than average offensive player. And just for the record, I also must be the only one who thought he was not a terrible second baseman. He was certainly not one of the best - but far from terrible. I must need glasses.

He doesn't get on base enough to create problems.

[longtimeyankeefan]

Wow! I guess I'm the only one who thinks that Soriano in CF for The Yanks MIGHT be something worth considering.

I agree with the forumer who said it's not good to have a team full of guys playing out of position. I actually don't like to see any player asked to play out of position. Alex Rodriguez is the rare case when a player transitions to a different position and actually excels at it. However, with Soriano, I thought that since he did play the outfield in spring training (albeit several years ago) and the general consensus at the time was that he did so very well, it might be worth considering. If he is not enthused about it - no, it doesn't make sense.

And apparently, from the comments in this thread - he is a pretty shabby hitter too. I must have seen a pretty different Soriano. I saw a guy who, although he had his faults at the plate (namely the low outside pitch) was a pretty good hitter with very good power. I saw a player who created some unease for the pitcher while on the basepaths. Granted, I saw a hitter who turned a few triples into doubles, and still admired (what he thought were) his homeruns, and who had some very silly at-bats, but I still think of him as a way better than average offensive player. And just for the record, I also must be the only one who thought he was not a terrible second baseman. He was certainly not one of the best - but far from terrible. I must need glasses.

I guess that it would depend upon the price of Soriano, but I have no problems with the idea of Sori coming back to play CF.

Had Soriano stayed with the Yankees, he likely would have been moved off of 2B to make room for Cano, so a position change almost certainly would have happened at some point in time.

But, again, what will the price be? Remember, if the Rangers send him back to the Yankees for chump change, then the deal becomes, in essence, ARod for chump change. Are we willing to give up an Eric Duncan and a Phillip Hughes to get Sori back?

[JMAN74]

Wow! I guess I'm the only one who thinks that Soriano in CF for The Yanks MIGHT be something worth considering.

I agree with the forumer who said it's not good to have a team full of guys playing out of position. I actually don't like to see any player asked to play out of position. Alex Rodriguez is the rare case when a player transitions to a different position and actually excels at it. However, with Soriano, I thought that since he did play the outfield in spring training (albeit several years ago) and the general consensus at the time was that he did so very well, it might be worth considering. If he is not enthused about it - no, it doesn't make sense.

And apparently, from the comments in this thread - he is a pretty shabby hitter too. I must have seen a pretty different Soriano. I saw a guy who, although he had his faults at the plate (namely the low outside pitch) was a pretty good hitter with very good power. I saw a player who created some unease for the pitcher while on the basepaths. Granted, I saw a hitter who turned a few triples into doubles, and still admired (what he thought were) his homeruns, and who had some very silly at-bats, but I still think of him as a way better than average offensive player. And just for the record, I also must be the only one who thought he was not a terrible second baseman. He was certainly not one of the best - but far from terrible. I must need glasses.

Agree with everything you said EXCEPT for his glove at second. While terrible is a strong word, he misplayed a lot of groundballs (usually would squirt under him) that many other second basers would have scooped up. He was not very good with the glove at all.

In any event I think he'd make a credible CF. Not my first option but he certainly isn't chopped liver and the upside with his athletisicm is pretty darn good.

[JMAN74]

I guess that it would depend upon the price of Soriano, but I have no problems with the idea of Sori coming back to play CF.

Had Soriano stayed with the Yankees, he likely would have been moved off of 2B to make room for Cano, so a position change almost certainly would have happened at some point in time.

But, again, what will the price be? Remember, if the Rangers send him back to the Yankees for chump change, then the deal becomes, in essence, ARod for chump change. Are we willing to give up an Eric Duncan and a Phillip Hughes to get Sori back?

Sounds like they have tired of Sori and really want him off the team. The asking price may not be as high as we think.

[JMAN74]

He doesn't get on base enough to create problems.

In this offense if we need Sori to be our best hitter , we have serious problems. Not worried about his offense , we do this move for his high defensive potential in the OF.

[I Love Wang]

In this offense if we need Sori to be our best hitter , we have serious problems. Not worried about his offense , we do this move for his high defensive potential in the OF.

Considering the likely cost in terms of prospects and money that it would take to have Soriano as our CFer, he better be able to hit. You don't make a move like this because you think a career infielder will be a great defensive CFer.

[WIZ]

Several years ago Soriano played LF in spring training and did a very good job.He has the speed and arm needed for the position and should be strongly considered.It's possible that money played a large role in Soriano refusing to switch positions in Texas.In arbitration he can make more as the top offensive 2B.Being assured of allstar selection also helps his arbitration stand.I'll bet that the opportunity to go back to the Yankees with a 5 year deal in hand will easily convince him to make the move.I don't know what it would take but a package of Wright,Small,White and Henn might interest Texas.

[Don Mack]

Several years ago Soriano played LF in spring training and did a very good job.He has the speed and arm needed for the position and should be strongly considered.It's possible that money played a large role in Soriano refusing to switch positions in Texas.In arbitration he can make more as the top offensive 2B.Being assured of allstar selection also helps his arbitration stand.I'll bet that the opportunity to go back to the Yankees with a 5 year deal in hand will easily convince him to make the move.I don't know what it would take but a package of Wright,Small,White and Henn might interest Texas.

----------------------------------------------------------
Okay, I'm with you all the way up until "White." Who is he? A minor leaguer? I don't think Texas would take a chance on Wright, so we might have to send them another player. Small and Henn give them what they want in pitchers, plus they know they'll probably lose Soriano next season ... OR, they might not want to pay him $10 million this coming season which is what he'll probably get in arbitration.

Even if Giles signs, we could play him in RF, DH Sheffield, put Sori in CF and have Matsui in LF. Once in a while rest Giambi at DH and let Sheff play 1B.

[BobbyMurcerFan]

Actually, we traded Soriano because we got the best player in baseball back in return, not because of his playoff performance.

Thanks for being at that meeting.

[Johnny O]

No on Soriano.

[YankeePride1967]

I have no desire to have Soriano back playing any position.

[AustinTXHorn]

We could probably get him for Aaron Small and a good minor league pitching prospect or perhaps Chin Meing Wang (since it looks like the Yankee FO is trying to move away from the "Let's Overpay Them Out Of The Goodness Of Our Hearts" mentality of the last several years.

Aaron Small? What would the Rangers want with Aaron Small?

It would take a lot more than that to take Soriano away from the Rangers. While it does seem that the old front office and Buck are/were extremely fed up with him, the Rangers know that most teams in baseball right now could use a 30/30 "second baseman". The asking price for every team that they have dealt with has included some of the best prospects in the game and they haven't backed off yet, so I doubt they will back off. The Mets called and the Rangers asked for Milledge. The Twins called and the Rangers asked for Liriano.

[BobbyMurcerFan]

I have no desire to have Soriano back playing any position.

I concur completely.

[mycroft]

Why would anyone think Soriano can play the outfield and would he even want to.

[wileedog]

In this offense if we need Sori to be our best hitter , we have serious problems. Not worried about his offense , we do this move for his high defensive potential in the OF.

What evidence is there that he will be a good defensive CFer? HE didn't blow anyone away in his short stint in left, and he's a mediocre 2Bmen.

It also took him 3 years to look remotely comfortable just switching from SS to 2B. How long will the switch to a completely different position take?

Pass.

[Yankyfan]

Verducci has said he doesn't want to leave the infield.Don't you think it would be a huge risk to trade prospects and the have to shell out 50 mill to sign him for a guy who we really don't know if he can play the outfield.

[yanksphan]

Wow! I guess I'm the only one who thinks that Soriano in CF for The Yanks MIGHT be something worth considering.

No...apparantly the Yankees think so too - but the asking price starts with Wang or Cano...according to Heyman.

http://www.newsday.com/sports/printe...y-sports-print

When the Yankees inquired about Alfonso Soriano as a centerfield option, the Rangers requested Cano and/or Wang, halting talks.

[puckmaster87]

No...apparantly the Yankees think so too - but the asking price starts with Wang or Cano...according to Heyman.

http://www.newsday.com/sports/printe...y-sports-print

What? Are they crazy? If it were just Cano they were asking for I would hand him off immediately. Soriano is a much better hitter than Cano at this point, and for power too.

[NelsonMuntz]

What? Are they crazy? If it were just Cano they were asking for I would hand him off immediately. Soriano is a much better hitter than Cano at this point, and for power too.

And then how do we plug the hole that it leaves at 2B? And incidentally, I would not call Soriano a "much better hitter than Cano at this point" as you claim:

Cano 2005: .297/.320/.458 & 102 OPS+
Soriano 2005: .268/.309/.512 & 110 OPS+

[ppa79]

And then how do we plug the hole that it leaves at 2B? And incidentally, I would not call Soriano a "much better hitter than Cano at this point" as you claim:

Cano 2005: .297/.320/.458 & 102 OPS+
Soriano 2005: .268/.309/.512 & 110 OPS+

Plus Cano makes the league minimum and Soriano will make 8-9 Million in 2006

[Sam18]

And then how do we plug the hole that it leaves at 2B? And incidentally, I would not call Soriano a "much better hitter than Cano at this point" as you claim:

Cano 2005: .297/.320/.458 & 102 OPS+
Soriano 2005: .268/.309/.512 & 110 OPS+

You know you're bad when Cano has a better OBP than you. AND Soriano plays in Texas.

[Little Big Sheff]

In this offense if we need Sori to be our best hitter , we have serious problems. Not worried about his offense , we do this move for his high defensive potential in the OF.

He has a high defensive potential in the OF? Says who?

With a .309 OBP in 2005, .320 career number, he better be Aaron Rowand in the field for the money he's getting paid. Since the chances of him getting to that level of defensive achievment in CF are slim to say the least, I say pass.

[Little Big Sheff]

What? Are they crazy? If it were just Cano they were asking for I would hand him off immediately. Soriano is a much better hitter than Cano at this point, and for power too.

Looking at the numbers Soriano has posted in his two years with the Rangers, I don't think you can safely say that Sori is that much a better hitter than Cano. Throw in the seven years age difference, the massive contract difference, and the fact that Cano is a better defender, and you would be crazy to trade Cano for Soriano.

[wileedog]

Throw in the seven years age difference, the massive contract difference, and the fact that Cano is a better defender, and you would be crazy to trade Cano for Soriano.

Absolutely.

Please let this idea die already.

[The Q Bomb]

Looking at the numbers Soriano has posted in his two years with the Rangers, I don't think you can safely say that Sori is that much a better hitter than Cano. Throw in the seven years age difference, the massive contract difference, and the fact that Cano is a better defender, and you would be crazy to trade Cano for Soriano.

Crazy, indeed! My idea of INVESTIGATING the possibility of Soriano in centerfield was based on acquiring him "cheaply", i.e. for Small and perhaps a minor league pitcher since it is widely rumored that he and The Rangers would like to part company with each other, and on the fact that he has played the outfield, however briefly, and at one time was being considered for the Yankee left field. If we had to give up more than Small and a minor leaguer I think other options, even Bubba Crosby until someone better comes along, is better - and I like Soriano very much.

[BronxBaumer]

He's worth no more than Small...

[longtimeyankeefan]

He's worth no more than Small...

Maybe not to the fans on this forum, but I can GUARAN-D@MN-TEE that Soriano will bring back much more than a AAAA starter/reliever.

Small had a GREAT season for the Yankees last season, but let's be realistic - Aaron Small is not going to be the lead Yankee in any deal this offseason.

[BronxBaumer]

Soriano is not a good player...