Spring spotlight: Soriano needs strong Cactus League effort
Article By cbahr.tsn on 12th February, 2010
Spring training often resembles a working vacation for most veterans. You know, put in a couple innings of work and then call for your tee time. However, the list of proven veteran players who slumped in 2009 is a long one. For those players, regaining their confidence/swing/swagger starts when they report to their Grapefruit League or Cactus League camp. Which disappointing player from last season is in most desperate need of a strong spring?
Stan McNeal makes his case for Dodgers left fielder Manny Ramirez, but Chris Bahr says it is Cubs left field Alfonso Soriano who most needs to recapture his productive form:
Four years ago while playing with the Nationals, Alfonso Soriano joined the uber-exclusive 40-40 club during a contract year. He quickly cashed in, signing an eight-year, $136 million deal with the Cubs a couple of months before his 30th birthday.
Alfonso Soriano needs to shake off his injury woes to return to his old form. Beginning this season (and running through the 2014 season), Soriano will earn $18 million annually. His contract was backloaded, but the opposite apparently was true of his production. At least the Cubs don't have to worry about paying him a $75,000 bonus for winning a Gold Glove.
If the Cubs are going to compete this season -- with spring training quickly approaching, there doesn't appear to be the usual level of this is THE year hype -- several things will have to happen. They are going to need a stronger effort from their rotation, better luck in terms of health and a return to form by Soriano. The Cubs fell off the map offensively in 2009, and Soriano's bat can help rescue them from the depths to which they sank.
Soriano's revival must start with a strong spring. But what are the chances Soriano will deliver?
The obstacles Eroding production. Soriano's homer totals and OPS have dropped in each of the past three seasons, and 2009 was the first full season of hi...
Read Complete Article at Latest Sporting News Articles for MLB
Stan McNeal makes his case for Dodgers left fielder Manny Ramirez, but Chris Bahr says it is Cubs left field Alfonso Soriano who most needs to recapture his productive form:
Four years ago while playing with the Nationals, Alfonso Soriano joined the uber-exclusive 40-40 club during a contract year. He quickly cashed in, signing an eight-year, $136 million deal with the Cubs a couple of months before his 30th birthday.
Alfonso Soriano needs to shake off his injury woes to return to his old form. Beginning this season (and running through the 2014 season), Soriano will earn $18 million annually. His contract was backloaded, but the opposite apparently was true of his production. At least the Cubs don't have to worry about paying him a $75,000 bonus for winning a Gold Glove.
If the Cubs are going to compete this season -- with spring training quickly approaching, there doesn't appear to be the usual level of this is THE year hype -- several things will have to happen. They are going to need a stronger effort from their rotation, better luck in terms of health and a return to form by Soriano. The Cubs fell off the map offensively in 2009, and Soriano's bat can help rescue them from the depths to which they sank.
Soriano's revival must start with a strong spring. But what are the chances Soriano will deliver?
The obstacles Eroding production. Soriano's homer totals and OPS have dropped in each of the past three seasons, and 2009 was the first full season of hi...
Read Complete Article at Latest Sporting News Articles for MLB
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Tampa Bay Rays Tickets: The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in 1998, the club has played at Tropicana Field.
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