Trades bring odd vibe to Pirates-Cubs

The Rangers picked up another catcher?

Goood Gooood Gooood Vibrations.......

Sr ESPN Baseball Analyst Jim Bowden (former GM for the Reds & Nats) tweeted that the Giants agreed to a trade for Soriano but Alphonse nixed the deal using his 10 and 5 rights. Hahahaha! Looks like the Cubbies are stuck with their Albatross. What were the Giants thinking? Were they trying to outdo their Manny mistake?

QUOTE(#4):

Originally posted 09:23 AM ET  07.31 by Sgt. Schultz

Goood Gooood Gooood Vibrations.......

I, I love the colorful clothes she wears
And the way the sunlight plays upon her hair
I hear the sound of a gentle word
On the wind that lifts her perfume through the air

When the Yankees get rid of a player, he either, can't play in New York, or is Not Good for the locker room!!! Soriano has one of those issues!

QUOTE(#7):

Originally posted 09:45 AM ET  07.31 by Not4Nutten

When the Yankees get rid of a player, he either, can't play in New York, or is Not Good for the locker room!!! Soriano has one of those issues!

From everything I read, Alfonso is loved by all in the locker room. Must be a New York thing....

QUOTE(#1):

Originally posted 08:32 AM ET  07.31 by Blood Red

The Rangers picked up another catcher?

Sounds to me that this is partly to keep Tampa from getting him.

QUOTE(#6):

Originally posted 09:26 AM ET  07.31 by Mickey Bad Arse

I, I love the colorful clothes she wearsAnd the way the sunlight plays upon her hairI hear the sound of a gentle wordOn the wind that lifts her perfume through the air

One of the best songs of all time.

QUOTE(#11):

Originally posted 11:38 AM ET  07.31 by Yogi-Zen

One of the best songs of all time.

7

QUOTE(#10):

Originally posted 10:51 AM ET  07.31 by Flea Biscuit

We're talking about Soto here, who is hardly a highly valued commodity

Soto is having a down year, but has hit well in the past. Change of scenery, change of league, might well get him going again. Better he gets going in Texas than in Tampa, or at least that would be the Rangers theory. They did well picking up Napoli

QUOTE(#5):

Originally posted 09:23 AM ET  07.31 by KenoshaMark

Sr ESPN Baseball Analyst Jim Bowden (former GM for the Reds & Nats) tweeted that the Giants agreed to a trade for Soriano but Alphonse nixed the deal using his 10 and 5 rights. Hahahaha! Looks like the Cubbies are stuck with their Albatross. What were the Giants thinking? Were they trying to outdo their Manny mistake?

Have you not paid any attention to Soriano this year? He is Top 10 in HR and RBI in the N.L. With 19 and 61, respectively (maybe 11th in RBI, but close) and he is hitting around .280.. The Cubs will pay probably around $30 million of his remaining $44 million owed. Is a guy who is "on pace" to hit .280 with 35HR and 110RBI a bad player at $7 million/per? No, the Giants would be lucky to have that. Also, Soriano is (believe it or not) a mentor to a lot of the younger (mostly latin-American) players, including 2-time All-Star (and 2011 NL hits leader at 21 years old) Starlin Castro (who lived at Soriano's house).
I have been down on this guy, but in reality at 36 (in the post steroid era) he is doing damn good at the plate and showing why a 9 year contract (not for the ridiculous money that he is getting paid, but length of contract wise) is not a terrible signing. His defense has been average this year too.. Plus, the Cubs don't consider it an albatross this year. They can afford it and aren't missing out on any free agents because they aren't going to sign anyone anyway. Even if they did, .280 with 35HR and 110RBI is probably worth $10 plus million.

QUOTE(#14):

Originally posted 12:21 PM ET  07.31 by Scott42444

Have you not paid any attention to Soriano this year? He is Top 10 in HR and RBI in the N.L. With 19 and 61, respectively (maybe 11th in RBI, but close) and he is hitting around .280.. The Cubs will pay probably around $30 million of his remaining $44 million owed. Is a guy who is "on pace" to hit .280 with 35HR and 110RBI a bad player at $7 million/per? No, the Giants would be lucky to have that. Also, Soriano is (believe it or not) a mentor to a lot of the younger (mostly latin-American) players, including 2-time All-Star (and 2011 NL hits leader at 21 years old) Starlin Castro (who lived at Soriano's house).I have been down on this guy, but in reality at 36 (in the post steroid era) he is doing damn good at the plate and showing why a 9 year contract (not for the ridiculous money that he is getting paid, but length of contract wise) is not a terrible signing. His defense has been average this year too.. Plus, the Cubs don't consider it an albatross this year. They can afford it and aren't missing out on any free agents because they aren't going to sign anyone anyway. Even if they did, .280 with 35HR and 110RBI is probably worth $10 plus million.

Giants are getting Hunter Pence.

Pirates are buyers at the dead-line....whoda thunk it?

QUOTE(#14):

Originally posted 12:21 PM ET  07.31 by Scott42444

Have you not paid any attention to Soriano this year? He is Top 10 in HR and RBI in the N.L. With 19 and 61, respectively (maybe 11th in RBI, but close) and he is hitting around .280.. The Cubs will pay probably around $30 million of his remaining $44 million owed. Is a guy who is "on pace" to hit .280 with 35HR and 110RBI a bad player at $7 million/per? No, the Giants would be lucky to have that. Also, Soriano is (believe it or not) a mentor to a lot of the younger (mostly latin-American) players, including 2-time All-Star (and 2011 NL hits leader at 21 years old) Starlin Castro (who lived at Soriano's house).I have been down on this guy, but in reality at 36 (in the post steroid era) he is doing damn good at the plate and showing why a 9 year contract (not for the ridiculous money that he is getting paid, but length of contract wise) is not a terrible signing. His defense has been average this year too.. Plus, the Cubs don't consider it an albatross this year. They can afford it and aren't missing out on any free agents because they aren't going to sign anyone anyway. Even if they did, .280 with 35HR and 110RBI is probably worth $10 plus million.

Every year, Soriano has a stretch where he gets hot. He also tends to go on the DL every year. His base running and fielding range are terrible. His defense is far from average. It's only looks good when comparing to his previous performance. Much of his production at the plate seems to come after the games have pretty much been decided. With Byrd caught using PEDs, and Soriano's recent above his usual stats performance, it wouldn't surprise me if he was using PEDs too. Most people realize that he is much older than he claims, as well. But the reason why the Cubbies should want to be rid of him is to clear the way to addition young players and get them big league experience. Do you think Soriano could stick around and be effective long enough to be part of a Cubbie turn around, assuming one ever happens?

QUOTE(#17):

Originally posted 01:12 PM ET  07.31 by Prayin' Utleys

<rolls eyes>Where did you hear that?

Roll your eyes all you want. I'm sure the smoke from this fire sale is hurting them...

QUOTE(#17):

Originally posted 01:12 PM ET  07.31 by Prayin' Utleys

Where did you hear that?

MLB Network