Soriano Won't Play -- for Now

New National to Be Held Out of Exhibitions Until After WBC

 

By Dave Sheinin

Washington Post Staff Writer

Wednesday, March 1, 2006; Page E01

 

VIERA, Fla., Feb. 28 -- Washington Nationals Manager Frank Robinson said he will not play newly acquired second baseman Alfonso Soriano in either of the team's first two exhibition games, raising the question of whether Soriano -- who departs on Thursday to join the Dominican Republic team for the upcoming World Baseball Classic -- will ever appear in a game in a Nationals uniform.

 

"He's not playing," Robinson said curtly when asked about Soriano, "because I didn't put him in the lineup."

 

The Nationals open their exhibition season Wednesday at Space Coast Stadium against the Kia Tigers, a Korean touring team, then face their first Grapefruit League game Thursday against the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates. Soriano, along with six Nationals teammates, is expected to depart by Thursday night as players join their national teams for the WBC.

 

The Nationals decided last week to put off a decision about Soriano -- who has resisted the team's request that he move to left field -- until after the 16-nation tournament, which will give them more time to evaluate the condition of incumbent second baseman Jose Vidro's knee. Soriano could be gone until March 21 if the Dominican team advances to the WBC championship game. If Vidro's knee is still fine at that point, the team is expected to pursue a trade of either Vidro or Soriano.

 

Robinson's lineup for Wednesday's spring opener also did not include Vidro -- veteran Damian Jackson will play instead -- although Robinson said Vidro could be in the lineup Thursday.

 

"We have other people to look at this early in the spring," Robinson said. "We don't have to back up Vidro with Soriano, or Soriano with Vidro."

 

Pressed further, Robinson said the decision to keep Soriano on the bench was his own and was not influenced by the front office. General Manager Jim Bowden backed up that assertion when asked about Soriano's absence from the lineup, saying: "That's up to the manager. That's his decision."

 

Rather than singling out Soriano, Robinson appears to be keeping all of the Nationals' WBC participants out of action before they leave. Starting catcher Brian Schneider, who will be playing for the U.S. team, also said he will not play for the Nationals before departing.

 

Still, every decision involving Soriano this spring is freighted with intrigue. In his 10 days in camp, he has worked out exclusively as a second baseman and has been part of the same batting practice group as Vidro.

 

Robinson's lineup for Wednesday's spring opener, while something less than representative because of injuries and WBC obligations, offered a few insights into his thinking about a handful of contested positions.

 

Speedster Brandon Watson will lead off and play center field as the team begins to evaluate whether he is capable of handling that role this season. Robinson prefers to have a base-stealing threat atop his lineup, and Watson clearly is his first choice.

 

Rather than choose between outfielders Ryan Church and Marlon Byrd in left field, Robinson used the shoulder injury to right fielder Jose Guillen as a way to start both of them -- Church in right field, batting third, and Byrd in left, batting fifth.

 

Cristian Guzman gets the start at shortstop Wednesday, ahead of veteran Royce Clayton. Guzman frustrated the Nationals last season with a .219 batting average in the first year of a four-year, $16.8 million contract, and Clayton was signed this winter to compete with him in camp. However, the team hopes Clayton's presence will push Guzman, and Robinson said he hopes Clayton would accept a utility infield role if he fails to win the starting job.

 

At catcher, Robinson chose to start newly signed Matt LeCroy, an occasional emergency catcher last season with the Minnesota Twins whom the Nationals are attempting to make into a serviceable number two catcher this spring.

 

Source -- http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...6022801342.html

For a second I thought it meant he dropped out of the WBC..

 

the DR team is stacked though right now..

 

(Is Manny gonna be there? Dont remember if I saw if he pulled out or not)

Manny's out.

Manny's out.

 

Damn ..

 

I wouldn't be surprised either way around if the DR won..

I never could understand why the Nationals went after Soriano, he has always maintained he doesn't want to play in the outfield and it looks as if its going to continue at least for the time being. They gave up some good talent to get him, combine that with what they are paying him this year ($10million) they got shafted badly, that's not even including the fact that he is FA after this year its just insane.

I never could understand why the Nationals went after Soriano, he has always maintained he doesn't want to play in the outfield and it looks as if its going to continue at least for the time being. They gave up some good talent to get him, combine that with what they are paying him this year ($10million) they got shafted badly, that's not even including the fact that he is FA after this year its just insane.

 

For a team that didn't have much offense last year Soriano was perfect. Though you can debate how he'll hit outside of Arlington, he's still fast and has power. I guess that maybe they figured FRob could coerce him into playing left, and, worst case scenario, they could find a taker for him.

 

They didn't give up ALL that much for him. Wilkerson had a great eye and some power but there was a definite decline last year and I would never expect him again to hit 30+ homers. Sledge suddenly stopped stealing (how's that for alliteration?!) which was probably his strongest thing going for him as a prospect and I'm not too sure how legit his power is, if he could ever be a 20 homer guy in the big leagues. Armando Galarraga really isn't all that special. And all of them were extra pieces. In the outfield they can start, without Soriano: Guillen, Church, and Byrd. They've still got Tucker on the bench and they could always give Brandon Watson, who tore up AAA pitching (though without any power) and basepaths last year, a shot. Tyrell Godwin had a great year in AAA last year too. All in all the guys they moved were moveable, and if Soriano plays left, they got a steal, assuming he doesn't hit .240. If not, they can move him, maybe the Mets will be looking for a 2B now that Boone's gone.

The only thing that makes Soriano a better player than Wilkerson is that he produces his offense from the infield. Move him to the outfield, and his low OBP very high SLG game is no better than Wilky's high OBP high SLG game and there's no guarantee he'll be as good a defender as Wilky. Then throw in an injured versatile lefty bat with power and the top pitching prospect of a team that is desperate for minor league help. Highway robbery.

 

I find it extremely frustrating how the Nationals are battling this. They need to stop taking the issue to the press. Keep it in house. Don't disrespect your business partner by pleading your case to a third party.

I still can't believe Soriano is being such a jackass. It's one thing to debate the move and try to work something out with the team. But if everyone has discussed it, and it's in the best interest of the team to move to the OF, then he should do it.

 

You'd think they traded him to the Toronto Raptors, asking him to play a completely different sport.... I have lost a tremendous amount of respect for him.

You have to consider that Soriano's only experience in the outfield came 5 years ago in the first part of spring training when he was trying to break into the star-studded Yankees lineup. Now, he's in his walk year, preparing for a big deal in free agency that at age 29 will be the most lucrative and significant of his entire playing career (past, future and present). It's a huge sacrifice for him to move to a position that is harmful to his financial prospects as well as his health for a team with so little to gain, and for a GM and manager who have no job security and who have disrespected him by insisting he play the outfield before even talking to him.

 

There may be a number of selfish pro ballplayers out there, but Soriano has a strong case to reject the shift.

You have to consider that Soriano's only experience in the outfield came 5 years ago in the first part of spring training when he was trying to break into the star-studded Yankees lineup. Now, he's in his walk year, preparing for a big deal in free agency that at age 29 will be the most lucrative and significant of his entire playing career (past, future and present). It's a huge sacrifice for him to move to a position that is harmful to his financial prospects as well as his health for a team with so little to gain, and for a GM and manager who have no job security and who have disrespected him by insisting he play the outfield before even talking to him.

 

There may be a number of selfish pro ballplayers out there, but Soriano has a strong case to reject the shift.

 

Couldn't have said it better myself.

 

He didn't ask to be traded. It'd be one thing if he signed there or wanted to go to the Nationals, but it was out of his control.

 

You guys calling him out are so ridiculous, acting like it will be a walk in the park going from the only position he has known as a professional baseball player and having to move to another.

All I'm hearing with these arguments is that Soriano is selfish and wants to put up a good show in his contract year. It's all about him. That is such bullsh**, and I can't believe you guys would defend him for it. I'm not saying I don't get what his argument is.. I totally get that, but I think he's full of himself for it.

 

I'm not a Chipper Jones fan, but when he was asked to go to the OF, he did it. So many players move positions for the better of the team. I don't give a crap if Soriano never stepped foot in the OF. I don't care that he didn't ask to be traded. Fact of the matter is, he is now a member of the Washington Nationals. How he got there is irrelevant. The team needs him to make a change in positions to make the entire team better.

 

God forbid he does something that might affect his wallet... If I was a Nationals fan, I would take this as an insult. He's choosing himself and whatever contract he can sign after this season over trying to win this year.

 

Oh.. and Passion - Moving to the OF is not such a drastic move, as you make it sound. I played baseball for years. Infield and Outfield.... A transition from the OF to the IF would be a different story. That would be much more difficult. As a professional baseball player, I'm sure he can handle the move just fine. Players spend a bunch of time shagging fly balls in the OF anyways... It's not that difficult of a transition.

The only argument you've been hearing is from Bowden and the press, who often hate players. Soriano has said just once all season that he didn't want to play the outfield. I believe his words were "if I refused to play the outfield in the past for the Rangers, why would I for Washington?" Oh, also, he didn't bother to order an outfielder's glove to bring to spring training.

 

You don't see why this isn't such a drastic sacrifice for him? You're risking his one big pay day and increasing his chance for injury for a run at third place!!! And, yes, Nationals fans are upset, but those who have been paying attention to MLB since the Senators left town in 1972 (before the advent of free agency) understand the situation and blame the team for creating the situation. They don't blame Soriano for anything. They only hope he'll consider his mind because they'll walk away from RFK with a few more times with a smile.

 

Also consider the other people in the situation. You don't think his fellow players, including his teammates, wouldn't be upset if he were to make that sacrifice? It likely reduces the demands other players can make in free agency and arbitration. It gives creedance to management to ignore a player's wishes. It is a step back in the player's movement.

You're risking his one big pay day

 

Dude, that's what it boils down to in your mind and in his. How can you tab the Nats in 3rd place before the season even started. I'm sure a lot of people thought the same thing about the 2003 Marlins. Anything can happen. And Soriano playing in the OF increases their chances of making a push.

 

I can't believe that baseball fans, such as yourself, can justify a player's selfishness because it risks his payday. So much for being a team player.

I can't believe baseball fans, such as yourself, harbor such entitlement and jealousness towards the game and its players that you think they should sacrifice more than they already do with their bodies for your benefit. The shelf life of a professional athlete is very short. It's incredibly naive to think that an athlete should not be concerned about getting as much as he can in the short time that he can.

 

I'll be one of those people leaving RFK with a feeling based on the Nationals' success (except in games the Marlins come to town), and trust me, they aren't winning the division or wild card this year. A winning team needs starting pitching depth and they have absolutly none. No position switch Soriano or Vidro make will improve the Nationals' chances to the point they'll contend this year, certainly not to the point where it makes sense for Soriano (and his teammates and the entire players association) to sacrifice for the "team".

Nevermind that the success of the Nationals only does service to their current owners, MLB, more wins means more tickets sold, postseason revenue and sales price. The fans are in a honeymoon, largely unaffected by the team's record and due for another one upon opening of the new ballpark. The Nationals are pretty much a franchise in purgatory, with no leadership and, likewise, no short-term or long-term goals. Anything and everything they do that is not focused on transferring ownership or improving future contracted talent is pretty much irrevalent.

I won't go to the extremes of including the World Series, but 5 years from now when the Nationals are playing in a new stadium with a new owner and players and an ethusiastic crowd, and Soriano is no longer in his prime seasons, I ask you which will be more memorable to the involved parties, that the Nationals won a Wild Card berth in 2006 or Soriano and everyone in his family never have to worry about money ever again?

OK, two things...

 

1- You're looking at it from a Washington Nationals perspective. I'm not concerned with the situation the Nationals are in. Let's just say, for argument's sake, that he was traded to Atlanta. The Braves wanted him to play LF, because they have Marcus Giles. Would you still feel the same way, although the Braves have a legitimate shot at the postseason and possibly World Series? Or does his paycheck still take priority?

 

2- I guess I'm old fashioned when it comes to baseball. I don't see the business side nor do I care about it. I'm obviously well aware of it, but when it comes to anything between the lines, I think a player should do what he is asked if it improves the team. And again, making a switch to the OF is not that difficult for an infielder. Were the switch from the OF to 2b, I might have an issue with that, because that is a much more difficult transition. It's not as if they've asked him to start switch hitting.

I think that's up to Soriano to decide. Seeing as Soriano has never played on a World Series winner, would might assume that he would make that sacrifice if the team was in position and he was asked him respectfully. However, then again maybe not. I am not going to make a black and white argument for this example, there's so many people that will be affected by this decision. Not just his team's ability to win and lose. Like I said, his decision to cede might cause some of his teammates, who may have their own financial prospects in mind or are tired of management's abuse of power (remember, this is the team managed by Frank Robinson!), to distrust him and that might end up harming the team's win-loss record.

 

It's not that hard of a switch to make. But, remember, it's a position he is unfamiliar with. Thus his chance for injury increases greatly. That's a real risk that has to be considered by not only the team, but, more importantly, Soriano.

This situation may have gotten worse, apparently Jose Guillen has hurt his wrist, may require surgery and would be out 3 months.

 

ESPN - Story

This situation may have gotten worse, apparently Jose Guillen has hurt his wrist, may require surgery and would be out 3 months.

 

ESPN - Story

 

 

Well, following RFerry's logic, it doesn't matter. The Nationals are destined for 3rd place, so anything else that happens to the team is not of Soriano's concern as long as he gets to play 2b and collects his big paycheck over the winter.

ok soriano refused to move to ss and of when he went to the rangers in the arod deal and ss was his position in the minors and was forced to change to be on the yankees roster if your trading for a player who can walk you want him to be happy and that was the nationals job to do this is like if the marlins went and traded for scott rolen this season and asked him to change his position you dont go looking for veteran all-stars to move to a completely different position they have no desire to play completes the nationals fault unless theres an interest from the player to be there and willing to change his position its a worthless move and he did horrible aways from arlington last season and playing in rfk is nothing like playing in arlington id say this trade was worse then every marlin trade this offseason

That means Bowden will up his offer of $1M guaranteed to Sosa to $2M!

That means Bowden will up his offer of $1M guaranteed to Sosa to $2M!

 

 

Haha.. I wonder if they'd really reconsider an offer to him.

 

Oh, and Mr. mcwkm - If you'd start using punctuation marks, we'd all greatly appreciate it. That was not an easy thing to read.

I'll try. I never really with grammer and punctuation.