[Lefty Noob]

Rumor has it that the Nationals, who are absolutely desperate for pitching, are shopping Alfonzo Soriano, Nick Johnson and/or Ryan Church to the Red Sox. I haven't heard any names on Boston's end, but I'd guess David Wells might be involved. Jim Bowden's denying it, but considering how upset Soriano is about a possible position change, it makes sense. Thoughts?

[Mid-depth_Reporter]

How many teams can say that Soriano's bat wouldn't be an upgrade at second base? Sure, his error-proneness scares some teams away, but his bat certainly helps out. Either way, he's an upgrade to Mark Loretta in Boston. Especially since the Red Sox love to score runs. (And they need to in order to compete with the Yankees. Although, with the Yankee pitching staff, even a class AA team could put up 5.)

Seems like a good opportunity for the Red Sox to jump on if you ask me.

[CityofBrotherlyShove]

I really don't see Soriano going to Boston. The Sox don't need another bat at the cost of their infield defense. However, Nick Johnson isn't out of the question, I suppose. There were rumors of Wells going to Washington, but his whole reason for wanting to leave Boston is that he wants to end his career in San Diego, or at least on the West Coast. Not sure he'd be too keen on a trade to Washington.

[ThePundit]

Something isn't right with Soriano. For the numbers he puts up, he sure is an unwanted commodity - and he doesn't make that much money either. As Mike Brady told his son Peter: "Caveot Emptor" or "Let the Buyer Beware"

[the sea word]

arroyo is rumored to be on the block. but the nationals are retarded if they did arroyo for soriano straight up. i'd love johnson, because youkilis is going to blow up in the red sox' face. maybe graffanino and arroyo for soriano, but i still don't see it from the national's perspective.

[ThePundit]

Hi Sea Word. Welcome to the Forum.

I don't know if I agree. Look at how much pitchers improve when they go from the American League to the National League. We see it with pitcher after pitcher. The lineups are much weaker with the pitcher batting instead of the DH.

Take Roger Clemens for one. He was always great but his numbers are sick in the National League.

Since the name of the game is pitching, and the Nationals need starters in the worst way if they're going to compete, I would do it straight up. Arroyo has good stuff. In the Washington Ball Park he would win 15-20 games.

And you have to ask yourself: Why does nobody want Soriano? For the numbers he puts up, he shouldn't constantly be on the trading block.

[Lefty Noob]

Well, I think we're starting to see why, Pundit. He's not a team guy. Washington has Jose Vidro at second, but Soriano's refusing a position change. He was to play second base, and he won't move for the good of the team. Certainly looks like he's being selfish. Maybe this isn't the first such incident with him.

Clubhouse cancer? I don't know, I'm just saying it looks that way.

[the sea word]

texas moved him because they know in a year or two he's going to be making $10m a year, if he isn't already. the nationals, if it's true that they're trying to move him, would be doing so because he won't change positions. arroyo isn't enough for a guy who hit 35+ homers, drove in over 100 runs, especially a guy who did that in the middle infield. bronson'll be a bullpen guy in a year or two, his numbers against righties aren't very good. if the red sox could ever somehow rob the nats and get that deal, then epstein is executive of the year before the first game of spring training.

[youppi]

Pundit - you didn't compare Arroyo and Clemens did you?? Shame on you! I'm just kidding. But yes, any pitcher that makes a move from the Red Sox to the Nationals would expect to see a significant increase in performance.

Generally speaking, the move from the AL to NL is supposedly a 1/2 run drop off a pitcher's era. If you consider a move to a pitcher-friendly park like RFK, it could be even better.

Conversely, here's what I'm hoping for because Soriano is a bum...I hope he accepts a move to the outfield and then, due to the pitcher-friendly nature of RFK, bats .230 with 18 homers and 77 RBI's (see Jose Guillen 2005 home stats). Then, hopefully only the Royals will have interest in signing him for 2007. This guy has no interest in winning. He is not a team player. He doesn't have a "whatever it takes" mentality. A winner is a guy like Johnny Damon (I hate the BoSox and NYY) who said that he would agree to be the catcher on team USA if it meant he could be on the roster (he subsequently started today in LF). The Nationals clubhouse could be one of the worst in baseball this year with Soriano, Guillen, Robert Fick and Livan Hernandez. This will be a team full of excuses. If Frank Robinson doesn't shoot himself, I will be surprised!

And I'm a fan....

[rmjvol]

Sure is a lot of talk about Soriano.

Click here to see the other discussions we've been having about him.

If you're new to our community we hope you'll signup and check out our welcome info.

Thanks, Ross

[cjg11582]

why hasn't anyone mentioned how immature and self-entitled this Soriano thing is? Typically I fall on the side of the players with disputes like this, but right now he resembles the kid on the little league team because he doesn't want to play his inning in the outfield. Literally.

[rmjvol]

Oh, I think it's been brought up quite a bit. Use the Search link near the top right of this page to search for Soriano and you'll see a lot of people giving him down the road.

[EmpireWF]

Should be interesting now as we get closer to the start of the season (only less than a couple weeks away). I'd put my money on Frank Robinson not budging a bit .

[MVB]

There are rumors of Soriano going to the Mets for an unknown player.... Omar Minaya better be careful....

[Lefty Noob]

Heh... I'm a little surprised to hear he's still on the block. I thought once he agreed to play LF, that would be the end of it. But I guess the Mets do need someone at 2B, and a happy Soriano is a productive Soriano. Personally, though, I'm not sure I'd want to touch this guy with a 20ft. pole after the stunt he pulled this spring. Dude, you make $10 million. Shut up and play left already!