They haven’t been trying to trade Garza. They’ve been willing to trade Garza. There’s a big difference.
On a related note, I’ve heard some people claim that players wouldn’t want to play for an organization that’s always willing to listen on anybody. It seems like that could go both ways. I mean, it could be frustrating or unsettling to know that the team might move you or your friends at any time, but I’d think it would be a pretty good thing for a player to see and hear that the organization is constantly evaluating how to get better.
What effect does anyone think that has on players?
i suppose if matt garza is a supremely secure and confident guy, he’s fine with it. some players seem to get irritated by that stuff though. they see it as a lack of loyalty or something.
even before he’s used up his arbitration eligibility. So I would agree that I doubt the chatter fazes him much.
I would also imagine that Theo / Jed have at least clued him in to their plan of attack, whether that is “rent, don’t buy… you’re gone by the deadline” or “let’s talk extension… because we’ll have to be absolutely blown away to deal you”.
You have to read it in context with the preceding line
“Obviously it really comes down to defense and we’re hoping with some better conditioning and some better health, that he can be a little better out there.”
So the point is, Soriano was not good at preventing runs. That “hurts” the pitchers’ record and statistics. But they’re going to play him in LF anyway because they think he can improve and because they really have no other choice if they want to build his value for a trade.
All about Jed day, I propose that Jed’s dog start in Left Field. Range would be a Plus. Throwing arm about equal to Soriano. And he would definitely hustle out of the batter’s box.
The article elludes to Sori working hard in the off-season. But, I would’ve really like to hear all offseason about how Soriano is working out like he’s a rookie, doing everything he can to get in great shape, new training, etc. I know its always B.S. but its nice to read. Not being entirely serious here, but you know what I mean.
‘Cause I know that’s the popular version of what went on there. And a lot of people like to believe that. I wish I could, but I was there. I wasn’t here on BCB, hoping I was right, thinking about it. I was up to my knees in injuries to my pitching staff, with replacement-level starters who didn’t work out! Going in the clubhouse, looking for Zambrano, slugging it out with him…while pu**ies like you were were out in the bleachers, putting those funny Kosuke hats on, drinking beers, and listening to goddamn Paul McCartney concerts!
He changed his diet and lost a huge amount of weight. He already could move pretty quickly for such a large player, I’d expect him to be quite quick now without that extra 30-40 pounds.
He hasn’t been willing to work enough to learn enough to play left field, he hasn’t been willing to work at laying off bad pitches. Lifting weights and running is fine, but at some point a guy has to work on his craft, too.
Now... I'm not a Soriano fan by any stretch of the imagination...
But Soriano, by all accounts, takes extra defensive drills with the coaches in order to help improve. It has been reported by multiple coaches and sources that he works very very hard on his defense. The fact of the matter is, he simply isn’t good in left field defensively. That is NOT because his work ethic is “over-rated.”
He also keeps himself in very, VERY good shape. His son and my son were in the same kids baseball thing on Saturdays last year… It was shocking how athletic he looked. And I hear that he takes extra practice, really puts in the hours. We can’t get down on him for lack of effort.
But even so…. he is stunningly bad at playing LF. He would be bad for a small high school. The guy simply cannot pick the best path to a fly ball. It’s just not going to change. He will do his best. We will cheer for him.
Thanks for taking time to post it Dcr18
Short n interesting read. (Yes, “stuck” with Alfonso for the near-term future).
jeffstorm2 - February 9, 2012
12 minutes, not much new but interesting
Madison Cub Fan - February 9, 2012
the only thing for me is, how long have we heard
“its possible we’ll talk extension with Garza”…..well, why havent they already?
MDavis - February 10, 2012
can't imagine
garza would be too eager to sign on with this crew. they’ve been trying to trade him since they got here.
John T. Unger - February 10, 2012
*willing*
They haven’t been trying to trade Garza. They’ve been willing to trade Garza. There’s a big difference.
On a related note, I’ve heard some people claim that players wouldn’t want to play for an organization that’s always willing to listen on anybody. It seems like that could go both ways. I mean, it could be frustrating or unsettling to know that the team might move you or your friends at any time, but I’d think it would be a pretty good thing for a player to see and hear that the organization is constantly evaluating how to get better.
What effect does anyone think that has on players?
CJK - February 10, 2012
i'm sure it totally depends on the player
i suppose if matt garza is a supremely secure and confident guy, he’s fine with it. some players seem to get irritated by that stuff though. they see it as a lack of loyalty or something.
John T. Unger - February 10, 2012
Garza doesn't mind the trade talk
He even said so at the Cubs convention. He understands the business side of it.
RiskyBusiness - February 10, 2012
And he's already been traded twice...
even before he’s used up his arbitration eligibility. So I would agree that I doubt the chatter fazes him much.
I would also imagine that Theo / Jed have at least clued him in to their plan of attack, whether that is “rent, don’t buy… you’re gone by the deadline” or “let’s talk extension… because we’ll have to be absolutely blown away to deal you”.
fsuapollo - February 10, 2012
Because they've been shopping him.
elgato - February 10, 2012
Sure. I believe you, Jed.
Mapanator - February 10, 2012
someone answer this for me....
what exactly is Jed Talking about here?
epsilon - February 10, 2012
Defense.
elgato - February 10, 2012
ahhhh! now it makes sense...
epsilon - February 10, 2012
the lack of specifically from Soriano
lookingdeadred - February 11, 2012
You have to read it in context with the preceding line
“Obviously it really comes down to defense and we’re hoping with some better conditioning and some better health, that he can be a little better out there.”
So the point is, Soriano was not good at preventing runs. That “hurts” the pitchers’ record and statistics. But they’re going to play him in LF anyway because they think he can improve and because they really have no other choice if they want to build his value for a trade.
Orval Overall - February 10, 2012
yeah, context helps, i read the top part, was interrupted and came back and it made no sense...
thank you.
epsilon - February 10, 2012
"And no one has offered us anything in exchange for him."
ClarkFan - February 10, 2012
Since today is apparently
All about Jed day, I propose that Jed’s dog start in Left Field. Range would be a Plus. Throwing arm about equal to Soriano. And he would definitely hustle out of the batter’s box.
RiskyBusiness - February 10, 2012
i thought soriano
for all his faults, his arm was not one of them?
epsilon - February 10, 2012
all kidding aside
I think Soriano’s arm was considered good in 2007 and 2008. I am not sure if that is still true.
RiskyBusiness - February 10, 2012
It was elite in 2007 and 2008.
It’s still quite good.
bdlugz - February 10, 2012
Doesn't seem like he's had any big outfield assists recently.
Hmmm …
elgato - February 10, 2012
well, none in the offseason that i can remember....
epsilon - February 10, 2012
Got to get to the ball to throw someone out....
ClarkFan - February 10, 2012
i wonder if that is due to less running on him
i dont know if that is true or just a thought, and i am curious as well
Cubbie-Tim - February 11, 2012
Sori
The article elludes to Sori working hard in the off-season. But, I would’ve really like to hear all offseason about how Soriano is working out like he’s a rookie, doing everything he can to get in great shape, new training, etc. I know its always B.S. but its nice to read. Not being entirely serious here, but you know what I mean.
Mak19 - February 10, 2012
Goodness we all hope so.
I mean him and Byrd are the vets so I hope Sori has a fountain of youth. We all can dream and hope.
Grockcubs - February 10, 2012
"I'm in the best shape of my life."
Say it, Soriano!!! Say it!!!!
daver - February 10, 2012
All right. I'll say it.
We sucked ’cause Quade was too much of a p—-y wimp to let the kids go in there and show up those lollygagging bastards!
CJK - February 10, 2012
thats what I thought all last year
TJ11 - February 10, 2012
Is he right?
‘Cause I know that’s the popular version of what went on there. And a lot of people like to believe that. I wish I could, but I was there. I wasn’t here on BCB, hoping I was right, thinking about it. I was up to my knees in injuries to my pitching staff, with replacement-level starters who didn’t work out! Going in the clubhouse, looking for Zambrano, slugging it out with him…while pu**ies like you were were out in the bleachers, putting those funny Kosuke hats on, drinking beers, and listening to goddamn Paul McCartney concerts!
OH! OH! OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!
daver - February 10, 2012
Im interested on how Byrd will perform
He changed his diet and lost a huge amount of weight. He already could move pretty quickly for such a large player, I’d expect him to be quite quick now without that extra 30-40 pounds.
Mitchener - February 10, 2012
Should help him turn on a fastball a lil better
Keeping my fingers crossed for a strong start, damn i love me some tradebait.
unretrofied93 - February 10, 2012
Losing weight...
…as a hitter, doesn’t guarantee better performance.
The key question is this; Why was Byrd so out of shape, that he lost 30-40 pounds? That is a hell of a lot of weight.
MPH73 - February 10, 2012
Supposedly, it was his diet.
I don’t have a link, but there have been several articles written about this.
Al Yellon - February 10, 2012
Oh, wait...
…was he the player who said he discovered he had a wheat allergy or something like that?
daver - February 10, 2012
Yeah
Allergic to wheat and milk.
Also, he started a pretty intense Muay Thai training program.
linky
CJK - February 10, 2012
Hm, very cool.
I’m guessing Alfredo Aceves is glad the Cubs aren’t playing the Red Sox again this year. (Uh, we aren’t, are we?)
daver - February 10, 2012
I believe the Red Sox visit Wrigley this year.
cub in louies nest - February 10, 2012
I believe he gained some weight...
…after his injury because he couldn’t work out.
daver - February 10, 2012
That would be great if he did well, because if BJax is coming up in late May/early June, somebody needs to go.
wrigleyrocker12 - February 11, 2012
Soriano's "work" is generally over-rated
He hasn’t been willing to work enough to learn enough to play left field, he hasn’t been willing to work at laying off bad pitches. Lifting weights and running is fine, but at some point a guy has to work on his craft, too.
ClarkFan - February 10, 2012
Now... I'm not a Soriano fan by any stretch of the imagination...
But Soriano, by all accounts, takes extra defensive drills with the coaches in order to help improve. It has been reported by multiple coaches and sources that he works very very hard on his defense. The fact of the matter is, he simply isn’t good in left field defensively. That is NOT because his work ethic is “over-rated.”
bdlugz - February 10, 2012
There is no question that he works hard.
He also keeps himself in very, VERY good shape. His son and my son were in the same kids baseball thing on Saturdays last year… It was shocking how athletic he looked. And I hear that he takes extra practice, really puts in the hours. We can’t get down on him for lack of effort.
But even so…. he is stunningly bad at playing LF. He would be bad for a small high school. The guy simply cannot pick the best path to a fly ball. It’s just not going to change. He will do his best. We will cheer for him.
D98 - February 10, 2012
Believe me, I'm not saying he's a good LFer...
I’m just saying there is no good reason to question his work ethic.
bdlugz - February 11, 2012
But LF isn't that hard to learn - many players of limited physical skills have become passable LFs with work
So what’s with Soriano?
ClarkFan - February 11, 2012
If you can't pick up the ball off the bat, you just can't pick the ball up off the bat.
Probably the same reason he can’t pick up a curve ball. Maybe he needs glasses.
His work ethic, however, shouldn’t be ripped.
bdlugz - February 11, 2012
Another one of his problems is judging how a ball will bounce off a wall, etc.
And that can’t really be worked on in practice. He just makes some bone headed plays.
wrigleyrocker12 - February 11, 2012
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