Alfonso Soriano

[phillyphreak]

Anyone have input on Soriano in the 2008 set?
How has he performed for those that have used him.

Someone dropped him in my league, and I am tempted to pick him up. I have Steve Pearce for hitting against LHP that I platoon with Schumaker who goes against RHP. With just over 30 game played, Pearce is batting .143. I can drop him and a RP that is not doing well to get Soriano. The only thing that I am worried about is that he is a 4 in LF and Pearce is a 3. Not much of a drop in defense, but Soriano would be a better bat. My home park is Miler Park '08.

[AeroDave10]

You also have to worry about Soriano's injury rating, too, though I honestly think it is less likely for him to get hurt if he isn't playing every day.

Miller is an ok park for him, but I would prefer to see him in a place like Camden or Coors.

[RICHARDMILTER]

Soriano is mashing on my friend's team in one of my leagues. Here are his numbers:
http://fantasygames.sportingnews.com/stratomatic/team/team_other.html?user_id=199641


The funny thing is I actually suggested that my friend should drop him in favor of Jim Thome. The only reason for that is the team Soriano is on is killing left handed pitchers and losing lots of games to right handed pitchers. So if you do go with Soriano make sure you have plenty of Right handed pitching mashers. My friend has Grady Sizemore and others, so I believe it is a good balance on his team.

[phillyphreak]

[quote:5dce67631c="AeroDave10"]You also have to worry about Soriano's injury rating, too, though I honestly think it is less likely for him to get hurt if he isn't playing every day.

Miller is an ok park for him, but I would prefer to see him in a place like Camden or Coors.[/quote:5dce67631c]



I forgot about the injury rating. I would like to keep my injuriy ratings at 1 or 2.
Reed Johnson is also available. Better Defense and a 2 injury rating.

[phillyphreak]

[quote:45c8253cf7="rmilter"]Soriano is mashing on my friend's team in one of my leagues. Here are his numbers:
http://fantasygames.sportingnews.com/stratomatic/team/team_other.html?user_id=199641


The funny thing is I actually suggested that my friend should drop him in favor of Jim Thome. The only reason for that is the team Soriano is on is killing left handed pitchers and losing lots of games to right handed pitchers. So if you do go with Soriano make sure you have plenty of Right handed pitching mashers. My friend has Grady Sizemore and others, so I believe it is a good balance on his team.[/quote:45c8253cf7]


Soriano would only end up playing against LHP anyway if I grabbed him. So far I am good against RHP (TBA vs RHP = .297)

[Rant]

Soriano ain't cheap for a lefty platoon, but if you have the cash to muck around ...

They both are mashers versus lefties, I think you've just hit a streak of bad luck in a limited at bat situation.

Their lines are about equal in Miller with Soriano having a slightly higher hit total and TB total. Soriano outpaces Pearce in hrs (11.3 vs. 8.6, both with 8BPs). Soriano should manufacture runs with his speed, but Pearce has better clutch & dps (+6 and 4DPs, Soriano -10 and 20DPs) that would negate that speed advantage some.

Soriano has a better arm (-2 to +1) and less errors (8 to 13), but less range (4 to 3).

The inj. rating is a negative, but for a lefty platoon, I wouldn't be as concerned. If I'm taking an injury risk that's a pretty safe one.

Overall, I don't see a real need to swap out to Soriano. Reed Johnson would up your defense, but there's a significant fall-off in terms of production (not even factoring in his w which negates your park's advantage).

[keyzick]

My favorite lefty mashers on the cheap side: Edgar Renteria...absolutely tears it up on several of my teams (assuming this is for a DH spot...)

[AeroDave10]

[quote:e2b7c02801="rmilter"]Soriano is mashing on my friend's team in one of my leagues. Here are his numbers:
http://fantasygames.sportingnews.com/stratomatic/team/team_other.html?user_id=199641


The funny thing is I actually suggested that my friend should drop him in favor of Jim Thome. The only reason for that is the team Soriano is on is killing left handed pitchers and losing lots of games to right handed pitchers. So if you do go with Soriano make sure you have plenty of Right handed pitching mashers. My friend has Grady Sizemore and others, so I believe it is a good balance on his team.[/quote:e2b7c02801]

Though Soriano is killing the ball now vs. RHP, the one thing that your friend has going for him is that he has nearly as many at bats vs. lefties (536) as vs. righties (615).

Like Rant suggested, if someone is going to use a guy like Soriano, either every day or in a platoon, make sure you are facing enough lefty pitching (>35%?) to justify it.

[phillyphreak]

Thank you all for your replies. Based on what you all have stated, I will stick with Pearce for now. I do have enough cash left that I can try picking up Justin Christian maybe @ 500K just to see if he has any value, because I am not facing a lot of LHP.

[GARYREININGER]

I'd agree with sticking with Pearce. Only used him once, but he crushed southpaws for me. Depends on how many leftys/BPHRs you're seeing in your division though. Christian is a good pickup though, one of the best baserunners in the set.