SB Nation - Login for mobile commenting

Lookout Landing

Should the Mariners explore trading for Alfonso Soriano?


This seems like a very reasonable trade for the Mariners to make... Its been published everywhere that the Cubs are willing to eat almost all of Soriano's contract to move him and we know Seattle would do the same for Figgins. While he didn't play a terrible left field last year, most people think he's below average there, but his bat is still working. Would it work even better in a role where he gets more rest? His clear role at this point is at DH on an American League team. The Mariners need hitting and a backup for the outfield, which roles he could both fill. He probably comes cheap in terms of new money ($3M?), and given the length of his contract and that of Figgins it appears to be a good swap, along with potentially one other mid-level prospect coming over from the M's. Rather than just eating the Soriano contract, the Cubs get an option on a potential Figgins resurgence, save a little money and get a prospect. What an improvement it would be to have Soriano in the middle of the line-up and Figgins gone for good. Add another bat to the lineup and all of a sudden the Mariners would have a potentially decent lineup. Z can clearly make a deal with Epstein as shown with the Bedard trade, and this seems like a great fit for both teams. Any thoughts?

0 recs  |  54 comments

Comments

Pretty Funny that “Mariners” was available…

A polite note to the OP

this post is considered rosterbation, or simply making up fake moves for the Mariners (or other teams) to make. This type of baseless speculation is not encouraged or welcomed on Lookout Landing – while it is OK to speculate on what kind of value Soriano might provide an AL team, making up fake trades for him is not OK.

A polite note back

Speculation about available players during the offseason is what its all about and happens here and on every other baseball blog on a continuous and regular basis. Its a topic for discussion as any other. If you don’t wish to participate that that’s fine but to tell someone else what is or isn’t OK to post is not – unless you are the moderator or owner of the blog, which I don’t believe you are.

He's not, but I am

and seattlebruin is 100% correct when he wrote this

while it is OK to speculate on what kind of value Soriano might provide an AL team, making up fake trades for him is not OK.

As such, I have changed the title of your post to better suit our standards. If you could take that to heart and consider any edits to the body of your post that would better flow along those lines, we’d appreciate it.

Great Suggestion / Change

I thought he was referring to the post rather than the title.

Does anyone have any thoughts on the merits of this potential trade. These players are very available and a bad contract swap would seem to have value here for both teams.

To save you some trouble, no. Nobody has any thoughts on this "potential trade"

Since it’s not a potential trade at all and merely an overly vague trade idea that you came up with on a whim. This is one reason why rosterbation is discouraged.

Obviously a lot depends on how much money the Cubs would be willing to eat

But Soriano’s 36, now, and he’s under contract through 2014. People aren’t high on his defense, he has a .305 OBP the last three years, and he’s a righty pull-power hitter. I don’t like him much as a fit, even if it were to mean the end of Figgins. That extra year is rough.

Thanks for the thoughts.

Will be happy to keep this in mind for the future…

This is not every other baseball blog

We have rules. They are available here. Please read them.

Never said it was...

But thanks for the link to the rules – did read them and read them again but didn’t see anything on raising the subject of a potential trade being inappropriate. I understand now (I think) that it is the form of the post rather than the subject. I’ve been reading the blog for a couple of years but this was my first post.

No offense, but if you are so unfamiliar with the rules (and have the audacity to challenge regular commenters on them), it's quite clear that you haven't been reading LL for years.
Wow, very aggressive...

Not sure why. I thought I was following the rules – that’s it. Its interesting that you seem to be against making speculative comments yet you call into question my sincereity and integrity without any basis – nice work. I guess racist comments and other such nonsense makes for great reading here (no one seems to criticize that) but a request for opinions on a reasonable trade possibility is craziness! OK I get it now.

Sweeping statements such as this one are going to win you zero friends here.

flashbreak’s comment was unneeded, but responding to it as if that comment represents the entire community makes me think you’re not worth having around.

Almost all of the comments I've received here have been sweeping generalizations

that appear to represent the entire community. Apparently I broke an unwritten rule in the process of posing my first idea/question, but I thought this would be more civilized that it apparently is. Not to worry, this will be my last post. I’ve enjoyed reading your stuff, and like the wit interlaced. I’ll leave it at that.

And here I thought this entire time the Hokey Pokey was what it's all about.

Lousy public kindergarten education.

Note to self: "shaking it all about" is much less cute as an adult
Sounds like someone doesn't know the wonders of bedazzling.
Maybe we can trade him for Ichiro because he is selfish and won't

hit homeruns for the team!

Aim low kids.

Aim so low that nobody will even care if you fail.

This is one of my favorite LL threads ever.
This must be one of the higher rec per comment thread
It's not
Fucking Taylor H.
Should we, or shouldn't we explore trading for Soriano?

I’m so confused

Focusing in on the OP's actual question...

Rather or not he asked the question, we can still look at the basic idea… to which I gotta admit, I’ve thought about the idea of a Soriano trade, too. But I came to the conclusion that:
1. His power is dropping
2. His diminishing power will be further zapped by The Safe
3. He’s not an asset defensively
4. His other offensive areas seem to be dropping
5. Holy crap he’s expensive!
6. He’s not exactly young…

I’d rather bet on Figgin’s and what he can provide – solid enough D, speed, versatility, spendy but not as expensive, possible rebound as he’s not OLD – over what Soriano can offer, plus the baggage he’d bring. We can surely find much less expensive (and potentially lower-risk) options elsewhere who can provide us with in-a-pinch OF defense and pop.

*rather or not he asked the question properly

is what I meant to say

*whether or not
Ugh please don't call it "The Safe".

You must Login with your SB Nation account and be a member of Lookout Landing to post a comment.