The Soriano question
In a week that saw the Dallas Cowboys sign the controversial Terrell Owens, the St. Louis Cardinals should add troubled second baseman Alfonso Soriano to its roster.
Soriano is making it clear that he wants no part of the Washington Nationals’ outfield, and the team was taking a hard line by seeking to put him on the little-used disqualified list.
This list is similar to the one T.O. found himself on after his antics in Philadelphia last season, with one major difference – Soriano would not be paid.
Nationals’ GM Jim Bowden said Monday that the team has empathy for Soriano, but it also has Jose Vidro at second base. Thus, Soriano either doesn’t see any paychecks for a bit, or he takes a spot in right field.
Of course, some team with a new stadium and millions of new dollars flowing into its coffers could make a trade for him involving one of its starting pitchers.
That team is the Cardinals, and that pitcher is Jason Marquis.
The Cardinals “starting” second baseman Junior Spivey has been so-so defensively and hideous at the plate. The man had struck out in 19 of 45 at bats, including three Ks in three at bats in Monday’s loss to the Atlanta Braves. He was hurt for half of the 2005 season and has not been an all-star caliber player for years.
Aaron Miles has been hurt much of spring training, but he isn’t the answer at second base if he had been healthy and hit .300 in Jupiter, Fla. If you can’t generate numbers in Colorado, and he didn’t, you simply aren’t putting the ball on the bat. The same would be true in the new Busch Stadium.
Soriano is not a disruptive player. He has some prima donna in him, and pride is probably a reason why he doesn’t want to move to the outfield.
But I think I know what’s really bugging him. As average a second baseman as Soriano is, he is man enough to admit that he thinks he’ll really stink in the outfield.
The guy is frightened of embarrassing himself. It’s a human frailty, not a baseball one.
Just think how solid the Cardinals lineup could be if a thumper like Soriano was batting second in the lineup. He has averaged 35 home runs and 97 RBI the last four years playing for the Texas Rangers. Arlington Stadium gives up some easy home runs, but the Cardinals new bandbox will most likely do the same during the torrid summer months.
There is a trade off, though. Cardinals’ fans will see some potential inning-ending or rally-killing double plays go into the dust along with errant Soriano throws to Albert Pujols at first base. He’ll make a great play and then boot an easy ground ball to let a run score in a tight ballgame.
However, with third baseman Scott Rolen nursing a surgically repaired shoulder, it seems like the Cardinals should realize the importance of adding Soriano’s bat to the team.
Hey Alvin. You said two weeks ago that Rolen would not be ready for Opening Day. He had three RBI last Sunday and looks fine.
That was my story and I’m sticking to it. I expect a Rolen setback any day now.
Back to Soriano. If you add his bat, you also add a $10-million contract.
Marquis is set to make $5 million this season. If the Soriano-for-Marquis trade went down, the Redbirds would add $5 million to its payroll. So what? The Cardinals probably made that much in urinals and used ketchup bottles sold from the now-gone Busch Stadium.
Walt Jocketty is probably working on a deal as I’m working on this column on Tuesday morning.
Nationals skipper Frank Robinson is not one to nurse a player’s feelings, so by the time this hits the street on Thursday morning, Soriano could be a Cardinal.
And how’s this for a coincidence? The Cardinals and Nationals were scheduled to play on Wednesday.
And here’s another one. When T.O. and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones were holding a press conference in Dallas, Cowboys coach Bill Parcells was in Jupiter hanging out with his buddy, Cardinals manager Tony La Russa.
Funny how things work out, isn’t it?