Impact Analysis: Alfonso Soriano, Chicago Cubs

April 18, 2008 @ 01:19:25

By Eric Lemon
Edited by Richard Garcia

On Wednesday, April 16, the Chicago Cubs placed outfielder Alfonso Soriano (calf) on the 15-day disabled list for an injury he sustained in Tuesday night's game against the Cincinnati Reds. An MRI confirmed that Soriano only strained his right calf, and he is expected to return shortly after he is eligible to return from the DL.

Soriano, 32, believes he strained his right calf muscle when he started to run back to the dugout after landing awkwardly when fielding a fly ball hit by Reds outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. Soriano had reported a little soreness in his calf during the Cubs' series against Pittsburgh Pirates the weekend before, but he said it felt better after Monday's day off.

Second baseman Eric Patterson was called up from Triple-A Iowa to fill Soriano's roster spot. Patterson can play the infield and outfield, but he plays primarily played at second base.

New year equals similar results

This is Soriano's third leg injury since signing with the club before the 2007 season. In April 2007, he suffered a hamstring injury that forced him to miss several games and lingered through most of the season. After that injury injury, he returned to play 92 games, hitting .304 and scoring 69 runs in 395 at-bats.

Later in the year, he would suffer a quadriceps injury that would require him to be placed on the 15-day DL. Soriano returned in August and contributed a .320 batting average in September to help the Cubs make the playoffs.

Despite his injuries last year, Soriano remained one of the elite hitters in the National League, collecting 33 home runs, 324 total bases and 80 extra base hits. He has been in the top 10 in each of these offensive categories since making the move to the National League in 2006, helping make him a six-time All-Star with his two appearances in two years in the NL.

Mind over matter

Soriano was signed after he had a career year in his only season with the Washington Nationals. That year, he set career highs in home runs (43), walks (67) and on-base percentage (.911). Since joining the Cubs, Soriano's numbers have fallen in virtually every offensive category. Last season, he hit 33 home runs, drove in 70 runs and stole 19 bases. It was his second-lowest stolen bag count since joining the New York Yankees full time in 2001.

This season has started on a sour note for Soriano. Through the first 13 games of the season, he his batting just .175 with two home runs and two stolen bases. The recent leg injury raises concerns by the Cubs considering it his third muscle strain in the last two seasons. Last year, they were so concerned about his injury history that they instructed Soriano to spend the majority of the offseason resting his legs. This was in order to assure his health for the 2008 season.

Prior to Soriano's recent calf injury, he stated that he felt normal running the bases for the first time since suffering the quad injury in '07. However, he didn't rate himself at 100 percent recovered.

Speed has been on of his trademarks during his seven-year career. Prior to joining the Cubs, Soriano stole 41 bases with the Nationals in '06. Last season with the Cubs, he managed to steal just 19 bases. That difference can be attributed the injuries he suffered last season and the lack of confidence he had in his leg. The last thing the Cubs or fantasy owners needed was another leg injury that could weigh on Soriano's mind throughout the season.

Where the pieces fall

Utility player Mark DeRosa has picked up the last two starts in left field and is expected to remain the starter with Soriano out. Through the first 15 games the Cubs have played, DeRosa is hitting .306 with three home runs and 10 RBI.

Second baseman Mark Fontenot has risen to the top of the depth chart and started in the first game after Soriano's deactivation. He led off Thursday, April 17, and went 0-for-5. In 30 at-bats this season, Fontenot is batting .233 with one home run and three RBIs. Fontenot is expected to start at second base most of the time and hit leadoff in Soriano's absence.

Patterson picked up his second career start Friday, April 18, replacing Fontenot at second base. He went 0-for-4 with an RBI and a stolen base. Patterson gives manager Lou Piniella some versatility with the glove along with speed and a left-handed bat. However, he isn't expected to get more than a minimal amount of playing time.

Fantasy pickup options

Looking outside the Cubs organization to help your fantasy roster, you might find outfielder Lastings Milledge of the Washington Nationals. He is off to a good start, batting .297 with 19 hits, one home run and five RBIs. Milledge has impressed manager Manny Acta, who stated that Milledge doesn't have to worry about being yanked out of the lineup.

Baltimore Orioles outfielder Luke Scott is off to a hot start this season, too. Entering play Friday, April 18, he was hitting .380 with one home run, seven RBIs and a steal in 50 at-bats. The former Houston Astros farmhand might enjoy the friendly setting for left-handed hitters at Camden Yards. Baltimore intends to play Scott a bit more regularly, something he didn't get much of a chance to do in Houston. He has two hits in six at-bats against southpaws this year.

Fantasy outlook

The Cubs are quick to point out that they do not want Soriano to return any sooner than needed and want him to be at 100 percent. Regardless of Soriano's injuries, he has proven to be a relatively quick healer. However, his repeated injuries are surely taking a toll on his overall production. Whether it is physical or psychological, Soriano doesn't appear to be the same player he was before joining the Cubs. Fantasy owners could see his stolen base total mimic that of 2007, and that could be optimistic.

With a bat in his hands, it appears that Soriano should be as productive as he was last season after suffering the hamstring and quad injuries. Fantasy owners should be patient and stash Soriano on the disabled list. It's not likely that he would fetch what he's worth in a trade, either. He likely won't steal as many bases as expected, but he can't hit the ball any worse than he already is.

KFFLians are saying....

Comment

 

---

What do you think? We want to hear from you!

Name: E-mail: Please, enter the number that you see

Comment Guidelines

Talk Sports 24/7!
KFFL Sports Forums: Over 24,000 strong and growing!

One Day FREE Fantasy Contest - $350 in cash prizes (05/24)
Fantasy Baseball Diamond Market: John Danks placed on DL (05/24)
Fantasy Baseball Diamond Market: The substandard Roy Halladay (05/24)
Fantasy Baseball Player Prospecting: Danny Hultzen, Roger Kieschnick, more (05/24)
Fantasy Baseball Diamond Market: Austin Jackson headed to DL (05/24)
Fantasy Baseball Closer Hot Seat: Addison Reed, J.J. Putz, Ernesto Frieri, more (05/24)
Fantasy Baseball Diamond Market: Brian Roberts seeing the light at the end of the rehab tunnel (05/24)
I am not afraid of Hakeem Nicks' foot injury (05/24)
Fantasy baseball closer depth charts - AL (05/24)
Fantasy baseball closer depth charts - NL (05/24)