Updates on Soriano and Garciaparra
It looks like the Washington Nationals are intent on having Soriano shift to left field. His raw power and speed are highly valued as an outfielder. Plus, for the past four seasons, he has led the league in most errors by a second baseman.
It will be interesting to see how Soriano adapts to this shift. I don't expect his offensive numbers to drop this season, as is the general tendency for anyone who switches leagues and has to face a bunch of unfamiliar pitchers.
Soriano is much like Vladimir Guerrero in that he doesn't wait on specific pitches. Instead, he looks to crush every ball that is anywhere close to the strike zone. And sometimes outside of the zone as well.
Speaking of free swingers, it's incredible to see how much Nomar Garciaparra's stock has dropped in the past four years. During Spring training of his last year with the Red Sox, Garciaparra declined a four year deal worth 60 million to remain as the Red Sox shortstop.
He signed an 8 million dollar contract for his first full year with the Cubs last season, hoping to parlay a monster season into one last long term contract. But the groin tear really set him back, to the point where his agent, Arn Tellem, is shopping him around this winter as a multi-purpose utility man.
Anyone who watched Nomar take the field during his early days with the Red Sox must feel bad for the man. He was probably a better all-around athlete than A-Rod and Jeter during the late 90s before his wrist injury. A true canon of an arm.
Speaking of Nomar's arm, even though it's still good enough for him to be a good infielder, many scouts believe that his arm action isn't well suited for second base. I'm not sure why this is, but scouts seem to think that he is best suited for third base or the outfield.
Although signing Nomar for one season to be the Yankees centerfielder is a risk that I would be willing to take, I think that it makes more sense to go with Bubba, whose youth, steady defensive play, speed on the bases, and reasonable salary make him the most attractive option right now.
It would be so great to shave the Yankees payroll down to about 120 million by the time they begin playing in the new Yankees stadium in 2009.
- Joshua
InsideTheYankees.com
It will be interesting to see how Soriano adapts to this shift. I don't expect his offensive numbers to drop this season, as is the general tendency for anyone who switches leagues and has to face a bunch of unfamiliar pitchers.
Soriano is much like Vladimir Guerrero in that he doesn't wait on specific pitches. Instead, he looks to crush every ball that is anywhere close to the strike zone. And sometimes outside of the zone as well.
Speaking of free swingers, it's incredible to see how much Nomar Garciaparra's stock has dropped in the past four years. During Spring training of his last year with the Red Sox, Garciaparra declined a four year deal worth 60 million to remain as the Red Sox shortstop.
He signed an 8 million dollar contract for his first full year with the Cubs last season, hoping to parlay a monster season into one last long term contract. But the groin tear really set him back, to the point where his agent, Arn Tellem, is shopping him around this winter as a multi-purpose utility man.
Anyone who watched Nomar take the field during his early days with the Red Sox must feel bad for the man. He was probably a better all-around athlete than A-Rod and Jeter during the late 90s before his wrist injury. A true canon of an arm.
Speaking of Nomar's arm, even though it's still good enough for him to be a good infielder, many scouts believe that his arm action isn't well suited for second base. I'm not sure why this is, but scouts seem to think that he is best suited for third base or the outfield.
Although signing Nomar for one season to be the Yankees centerfielder is a risk that I would be willing to take, I think that it makes more sense to go with Bubba, whose youth, steady defensive play, speed on the bases, and reasonable salary make him the most attractive option right now.
It would be so great to shave the Yankees payroll down to about 120 million by the time they begin playing in the new Yankees stadium in 2009.
- Joshua
InsideTheYankees.com
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