Soriano Out 2-4 Weeks
Submitted by cubsnet on Sun, 2007-08-05 22:51.
This is a tough break. The AP reports that Alfonso Soriano's strained right quadriceps, an injury he sustained Sunday night against the Mets, will keep him out of the lineup 2-4 weeks. The Cubs have some options, but none of them as good as Soriano.
Matt Murton should see increased playing time. Mike Fontenot and Ronny Cedeno might also see more time, with Mark DeRosa playing the outfield.
The Cubs have a number of players in Iowa who can play the outfield. Felix Pie is the most obvious call-up, but there is also Buck Coats (819 OPS for Iowa). Additionally, Eric Patterson (829), Jake Fox (978 OPS in 8 games since his demotion), and Scott Moore (890 OPS) could also play a corner outfield spot.
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Eric Patterson it is
"The Cubs are expected to call up Eric Patterson from Triple-A Iowa and place Alfonso Soriano on the disabled list Monday," reports MLB.com.
The RTG strikes again
I'm looking forward to seeing Patterson, and I think he deserves a shot, but I can't help but wonder why he's the guy here. Like you say, Pie is the obvious choice, and by putting him in center and rotating Floyd, Pagan, and Murton around the corners, at least you're upgrading the defense in the outfield, with a pretty good upside offensively, as well.
Now, though, I suppose we'll see a lot of DeRosa in the outfield. I have nothing against DeRosa playing in the outfield now and again, but he strikes me as the kind of player who, well, is a pretty good outfielder for someone who isn't an outfielder. Or even worse, we'll see a lot more of Jacque Jones and Pagan in the corner spots while DeRosa plays in the infield and Patterson sits on the bench.
Patterson's playing time
In order to get playing time, Patterson is going to have to do what Mike Fontenot did: go 10-for-25 with 2 homers in his first 7 games.
re: Patterson's playing time
No doubt true, but that leads to another issue: even if he does hit like that, what then? I imagine he gets sent right back down to Iowa anyway when Soriano comes back (or, more likely, sent right back to the bench if after Setpember roster expansion).
On the other hand, if Pie does well, then even after Soriano's return you've found yourself a big upgrade in center, obviously a position that the Cubs have struggled with all year (in fairness, partly because of the way Pie himself has played).
I think bringing Patterson up at this time just limits their options. It seems unwise.
re: Patterson's playing time
By the time Soriano comes back, it will be after September 1st. Rosters will have expanded, and it won't matter anyways. I do agree though that Pie was the obvious choice or perhaps even Josh Kroeger or Scott Moore. I also don't buy the excuse that Patterson had the hot hand. His last 10 games at Iowa suggest he was not. Where as Pie's last 10 games at Iowa suggest he was.