[MJHMarc]

Originally Posted by Yahoo! Sports

Soriano wants to warm up for Cubs in Dominican winter league
By DIONISIO SOLDEVILA, Associated Press Writer
November 25, 2006

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) -- Alfonso Soriano wants to warm up for his Chicago Cubs debut by playing for his hometown team in the Dominican winter league.

"I'm going to ask permission to play for the Eastern Stars when I get back to Chicago for the press conference where they're going to introduce me next week," the slugger told The Associated Press on Friday after arriving in the Caribbean country.

Soriano's new eight-year, $136 million with the Cubs is the fifth-richest in major league history.

If he gets permission to suit up, Soriano would join New York Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano and Los Angeles outfielder Matt Kemp on the Stars. The team from San Pedro de Macoris trails the first-place Cibao Giants by 4 1/2 games.

Soriano said he would keep working out an outfielder but is willing to consider a return to second base, the position he played before joining the Washington Nationals before last season.

"I know that Chicago already has Mark DeRosa at second base, but if they want me to play second, I will," he said.

Just an update from the files of MJHMarc.

[Lefty Noob]

Okay, so the newly signed multi-millionaire is going to ask the Cubs if he can go play winter ball in the Dominican. Anyone think that Chicago will actually let him, considering the massive investment they have tied up in Soriano? Should they let him play or not?

[EmpireWF]

No chance I'd let him play after I've just invested over $120 million and the next eight years. It's nice he wants to fine tune his skills but let him do it at whatever camp the Cubs have.

[azrael492]

This could be a tricky situation. If they let him, he could get hurt and there investment would be shot. If they don't let him, he is unhappy with the team before he even plays a game for them. I am glad I am not in this situation.

[Lefty Noob]

Originally Posted by azrael492

This could be a tricky situation. If they let him, he could get hurt and there investment would be shot. If they don't let him, he is unhappy with the team before he even plays a game for them. I am glad I am not in this situation.

Yep, you sum up the quandry perfectly. Do you risk him getting physically injured, or do you risk tampering with his fragile ego and possibly losing him mentally. I have a feeling they'll let him play to try and keep him happy.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

Okay, so the newly signed multi-millionaire is going to ask the Cubs if he can go play winter ball in the Dominican. Anyone think that Chicago will actually let him, considering the massive investment they have tied up in Soriano? Should they let him play or not?

Yeah there is risk...but there is also Lloyd's of London...they will insure the man...

Plus, these guys take pride in going back to their home land and being a hero to the next generation...

Heck, Pete Rose, Willie Mays those old guys use to go down and play Winter Ball in Puerto Rico...in stadiums with bad infields and patches of bad outfields...and they survived...

I'dbe more worried if he was a pitcher....

[soriano33]

Knowing Soriano well, this guy is really excited about Chicago and the fact he wants to play winter ball shows the organization hes gonna work extra hard for them. Its a tough call but Id let him play just not every game and every at bat etc. Having him be this motivated is going to create a great season for Alfonso

[MVB]

Oh, Chicago should never risk letting him play in winter ball... If he gets injured, there's hardly any time to heal before the regular MLB season begins. The Cubs spent $120 million on Soriano- it doesn't matter what he wants, they need to protect their investment.

[ThePundit]

They'll let him play when Pittsburgh lets Ben Roethlisberger ride a motorcycle.

[domer747]

As much as you don't want Soriano to go and get hurt, is it really a bad thing that Soriano goes and continues to play/learn the outfield position. Especially if they will let him play center field?