SORIANO SWINGS, I SWAY
[June 7th] -- Man, I wish Alfonso Soriano could be part of the new Washington Nationals that Kasten and Company will soon be putting together.
Oh, I know; I know -- I've been suggesting, heck, maybe even demanding, that Soriano (and the rest of the team's veterans) be traded for prospects, and soon. But, with each successive drive into the gloamin, I begin to wonder if there is any way the team can keep him. He is the antithesis of what I thought he'd be during those dark months in the off season. He is the first player to the park and the last one to leave. He watches more video tape of opposing pitchers than anyone else on the Nationals. Sure, he still screws up in left field (his misplay last night allowed an unearned run to score), but he seems to always make up for them with yet another long blast into the night.
How could the Nationals' keep Alfonso Soriano? Two things would have to happen. First, they'll have to pay him $15 per year for the next five years, and then Jose Vidro will have to be traded to the Mets. Don't think for a second that he'll agree to stay in the outfield. I can guarantee you that miscues like the one last night cause him more pain than us. Under that scenario, I think he'd stay in Washington. But is all of his electricity and speed and power and his "Reggie Jackson-esque" bat worth $15 million per year? That type of money would buy you two starting players and a starting pitcher. Would Soriano produce more than those three players? No. Would Soriano help the team win more games than those three players? That' s possible. That's what players like Soriano do.
That said, there is no way that the new owners are going to ante up $75 million for one single guy. All the teams that have successfully rebuilt over the years have rid themselves of their highest-priced players and used that money to build the team's infrastructure, bringing in not only starters, but solid 4th outfielder and middle reliever types. No, Soriano won't be given the opportunity to remain with the organization.
And that is really unfortunate.
: 9:13 PM << Home
