By Marty Gangler
It’s been a week and what have we learned about the 2008 incarnation of the Chicago Cubs that we didn’t know already? Well, the team ended last season without a real leadoff hitter and issues manufacturing runs but the pitching was solid. And through six games of the 2008 season it looks like the team has trouble manufacturing runs without a legit leadoff hitter but the pitching has been solid. So, will this change? Unless they make a move, I’d say no. Because until they get a real leadoff hitter they are going to have an issue manufacturing runs. Or maybe the issue is just with Alfonso Soriano, the Michael Vick of baseball. And I’m not talking about dog fighting.
I mean, he really is like Michael Vick. We all know that both players can be electric to watch and can make incredible plays at times. The numbers speak for themselves – if you look purely at numbers. I found a scouting report on Michael Vick coming out of college and the “negatives” in this scouting report sound very similar to those Soriano – well, if you change some of the verbage for the different sports. Take a look, my Soriano comments in italics:
Negatives . . . Tries to carry the “weight of the world” on his shoulders too much. So does Soriano . . . Seems very uncomfortable being in the limelight. Always low RBI totals despite good home run numbers . . . Still needs to mature as a player. Yup . . . Sometimes gets too confident in his running skills, forgetting to eye his secondary receivers in order to run with the ball when his primary target is not available. Certainly, this is IQ for the game and knowing what is best for the team . . . Tends to get into a three-quarter throwing motion as the game wears on, taking a little zip off his tosses. Not focused . . . Has a little bit of a wind-up in his release when throwing long, which makes his receivers work a little harder in order to get to the ball. Won’t move a runner over, or cut down on his swing if the situation needs the ball put in play . . . Has good arm strength, but needs to refine his throwing mechanics, as he is not that quick to load and reload in his delivery. He can throw out runners but doesn’t anything else well in the field . . . Likes to watch dogs fight to the death. Okay, made up the last part – but Aramis Ramirez likes to watch chickens fight to the death, and Soriano has yet to reject and denounce the practice, even though he plays left field right behind Ramirez.
In the end, like Vick, Soriano is a coach-killer. His talent seduces, but his limitations hamstring the entire team.
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Week in Review: The Cubs opened the season with 6 games at home, losing 2 of 3e to the Brew Crew and winning 2 of 3 from the Astros to go 3-3. That’s okay, but the Brewers were 5-1 for the week. Apparently they didn’t get the memo on how good they aren’t supposed to be.
Week in Preview: The Cubs hit the road for the first road trip of the season with 3 games in Pittsburgh and 3 in Philly. Is Fukodome going to be really good at rookie hazing too?
The Second Basemen Report: This week Mark DeRosa started all 6 games at second base. But Ronnie Cedeno, Mike Fontenot, and even Alfonso Soriano logged some time at the coveted second sack. All last season the Cub only used 5 different second baseman for the whole year; we got 4 in the first six games. And a slow start could land Brian Roberts on the Cubs before it’s all said and done. You know, just like Hendry drew it up.
In former second baseman news, Junior Kennedy last played second base for the Cubs in 1983. His whereabouts are unknown. He is missed.
Zam Bomb: The Zam bomb had good outings this week but is beginning to get angry. God has apparently convinced Carlos to drink more water and that is seriously inconveniencing him.
Lost In Translation: Fonzio Sorino is Japanese for lacks foundation.
Sweet and Sour Lou: 77% sweet, 23% sour. Lou is down 3 points on the Sweet-O-Meter due to questions about the lineup. And just like your real crazy drunk uncle, Lou doesn’t have to explain himself to you, about anything. He’s your uncle, dangumit, show him some respect. And go get him another Falstaff.
Center Stage: Felix Pie: 4 games, Cubs record 1-3. Reed Johnson 2 games, Cubs record 2-1. You tell me what is going to happen next. If I was a betting man, and I totally am, I would bet that the guy the Cubs picked up off the scrap heap a few days before the season started is going to play center much more than the guy pegged as the next can’t-miss prospect. Just like Hendry drew that one up, too.
Beachwood Sabermetrics: A complex algorithm performed by the The Cub Factor staff using all historical data made available by Major League Baseball has determined that they make well-rounded players in Japan.
The Cub Factor: Catch up with them all.
Over/Under: The amount that Derrek Lee’s broken wrist from two years ago was still bothering him last year: +/- quite a bit.
With Apologies To Nena: 99 Years of Cub Losses (99 Jahre von Bengeln Verlusten).
Mount Lou: Media questions early this season have already moved Mount Lou to yellow status. The volcano season has officially begun. Villagers in the Wrigleyville area are warned to make proper arrangements for the inevitable Mount Lou eruption.
Posted on April 7, 2008