Left Field: Get Alfonso Soriano!

[Why Not?]

The guy who should be playing LF for the Orioles is currently playing CF for the Orioles.

[Flacco Machado]

I still think that DD will get Soriano. Whether it is right or wrong. I'm leaning more towards a Dempster/Soriano deal than I am a Garza/Soriano deal, because it wouldn't cost as much in terms of prospects. Maybe instead of giving up a guy like Schoop it could be Arrieta, Avery, Wright for Dempster and Soriano.

Now that Brian is pretty much out of the leadoff spot for a long time, we need an experienced leadoff hitter. Soriano has batted there over the course of his career. Like I said, he's not Brian Roberts, circa 2005, but he would be serviceable and stabilize the lineup. Soriano, Markakis, Jones would be my top 3 in the order.

What are your thoughts?

[Can_of_corn]

Not in favor of continuing the cycle of low OBP leadoff hitters. The primary function of the leadoff hitter is to not make outs.

[Flacco Machado]

Not in favor of continuing the cycle of low OBP leadoff hitters. The primary function of the leadoff hitter is to not make outs.

C_o_C, do you have Soriano's career OBP as a leadoff hitter? I'm too lazy to look it up.

[Can_of_corn]

C_o_C, do you have Soriano's career OBP as a leadoff hitter? I'm too lazy to look it up.

Easy enough to find, .338

[Flacco Machado]

Easy enough to find, .338

That's not that bad, is it?

[sangar]

C_o_C, do you have Soriano's career OBP as a leadoff hitter? I'm too lazy to look it up.

In 3630 career plate appearances batting leadoff, Soriano has an OPS of .877.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.cgi?id=soriaal01&year=Career&t=b

[Mashed Potatoes]

JTrea is that you?

[Flacco Machado]

In 3630 career plate appearances batting leadoff, Soriano has an OPS of .877.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.cgi?id=soriaal01&year=Career&t=b

That's pretty good, right? I'm not trying to be a smart-a**, btw. Just honestly want to know if that's good.

[sangar]

That's not that bad, is it?

It's actually pretty good, but keep in mind that most of that was when he was an elite hitter. Which he no longer is.

[Can_of_corn]

That's not that bad, is it?

It is actually higher then anywhere else in the lineup.

Roberts, in comparison, is at .351, Markakis is at .363. Heck Wieters is at .328 and I keep hearing what a bust he is.

I am not interested in a 36 year old with two years left on his contract.

[Can_of_corn]

In 3630 career plate appearances batting leadoff, Soriano has an OPS of .877.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.cgi?id=soriaal01&year=Career&t=b

We were discussing OBP not OPS.

[clapdiddy]

That's not that bad, is it?

He hasn't had a significant amount of at bats at leadoff since 2008.

[Flacco Machado]

He hasn't had a significant amount of at bats at leadoff since 2008.

Any idea where he has been hitting for the Cubs? Who is there leadoff hitter?

[MatthewW]

I still think that DD will get Soriano. Whether it is right or wrong. I'm leaning more towards a Dempster/Soriano deal than I am a Garza/Soriano deal, because it wouldn't cost as much in terms of prospects. Maybe instead of giving up a guy like Schoop it could be Arrieta, Avery, Wright for Dempster and Soriano.

Now that Brian is pretty much out of the leadoff spot for a long time, we need an experienced leadoff hitter. Soriano has batted there over the course of his career. Like I said, he's not Brian Roberts, circa 2005, but he would be serviceable and stabilize the lineup. Soriano, Markakis, Jones would be my top 3 in the order.

What are your thoughts?

Soriano's last 4 years OBP: .303, .322, .389, .324. That's not at all what I want from my leadoff hitter.

And I don't like a Arrieta, Wright and Dempster for Dempster and Soriano deal even if the Cubs picked up 90% of Soriano's salary.

The Orioles problem isn't a leadoff hitter IMO. I think Avery will be fine. The real problem is after the leadoff hitter. When Markakis comes back, I think the best lineup is:

Avery

Markakis

Jones

Thome

Wieters

Hardy

Davis

Reynolds

Andino

I'm not sure Buck would really like to have back to back lefties at the top of the lineup... or even strikeout machines Davis-Reynolds-Andino hitting back-to-back-to back, but that's the direction I would go.

This team doesn't need Soriano. It needs to replace Reynolds with Headley...