2009:
I was actually expecting a ton out of Alfonso Soriano in 2009. I thought with the added protection of Milton Bradley in the lineup, he was going to put on a huge display this past season.
Well, he didn't. Any hopes of the Cubs' supposed superstar competing for an MVP award evaporated quickly by the end of May.
So what happened? Soriano struggled at the plate. And by struggled I mean he appeared to have lost any concept of how to hit. His power numbers were down. His strikeouts were up. His average plummetted to the .230s. On top of that, Soriano's speed all but disappeared. All of this led to Lou moving the "superstar" out of the leadoff spot for good (thank God!). But then the struggles continued. For a brief time after the All-Star break, Soriano seemed to start getting it together and (surprise, surprise) the Cubs starting playing well. But by August, Soriano struggled again and the Cubs, who were tied for first place, quickly fell off the pace for the division title.
We saw a lot of this, and a lot of strikeouts in 2009
Most people suspected that he might be injured and he did have some sort of knee problem that he battled throughout the season. Unfortunately, Soriano refused to have anything done about it and his struggles continued. His fielding suffered to...which is saying a lot since he is a horrendous fielder in the first place. It was becoming painful to watch Soriano go after any balls in the outfield that were any more than a couple steps away from where he had been positioned.
Well, finally the Cubs shut down Soriano in September and he had surgery on his knee.
Luckily for the Cubs, they had a plethora of crappy fielding outfielders (and one good fielding outfielder) to fill in for him...Hufflepuff, Fox Trot, and Sam Fuld (who desperately needs a nickname).
Soriano's performance on the field was probably the number one reason why this team didn't make it into the playoffs. His struggles really became apparent when Aramis Ramirez went on the DL with the dislocated shoulder. At that point the team needed its high paid player to step up...instead, he stepped down.
I honestly believe Soriano didn't get a big enough portion of the blame during the season for the team's offensive struggles because most people, especially the media, were focused on the antics of Milton Bradley.
2010: What's likely to happen
Well, Soriano's days as leadoff man are officially over. And there was much rejoicing! And, assuming Soriano works hard on rehab this offseason, I do expect him to come back strong in 2010. Let's face it, he is not ever going to be a good or even average left fielder (don't let his arm fool you!). So he needs to compensate for that at the plate. Otherwise, he'll be worthless.
Look at the ball go. Now let's do that with men on base this season too!
This will be Soriano's first full season as a Cub outside of the leadoff position, and keeping him in one position in the lineup will be important as he likes to be comfortable when he bats and likes to know what to expect. He is a routine oriented player as anyone who watches him closely before a game can tell...much like Sammy Sosa was.
Anyway, Soriano in the 3, 4, 5, or 6 position in the lineup for a whole season could equate to a huge season for him. I do believe he is a proud person and will come back strong...so strong that I believe he will compete for an MVP next season. Expect 30 to 40 homeruns, with a career high in RBI and an average at about .280.
Doc's Comments:
Well, I never liked the Soriano signing. And I never will. This is a make of break year for Soriano and the Cubs after paying this much for the outfielder. At his age, I think we can only expect one more really good season out of Soriano. His bat speed has slowed, and his legs are not very quick any more. His best days are likely behind him.
We still have 5 more years on this contract, Cub fans.
But Soriano isn't going to be traded any time soon. As difficult as it will be to move Bradley, believe it or not, Soriano will be more difficult because his contract is that much more ridiculous. Soriano's fielding skills are likely to deteriorate as well. But there isn't really another position on the field, outside of right field, that he could be moved to.
This is what Soriano thinks of his critics such as Doc.
So we are going to have at least 2 or 3 years of Soriano in left field. As the contract comes closer to an end, I do believe Soriano will be traded. So the comforting thing for us Cubs fans is we actually don't have 5 more years of Soriano. He will not finish up his contract as a Cub. No way that's going to happen.
But, as I said before, I think Soriano has one really good season left at the plate. And I think that season will be 2010. He is going to thrive outside of the leadoff spot...something the Cubs should have done when they first signed him in 2007 and they need to stick to it. He should drive in a ton of runs this year...something he's never really done in his career.
Soriano makes $18 million each of the next 5 seasons. This is where he really needs to start earning his money. This team needs him to perform this season. Without him, like in 2009, the Cubs are doomed. He is the closest thing the Cubs have to a superstar...and they need him to show up this season and be just that: a superstar!
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