1.04.2006
How To / How Not To
Welcome to the pilot episode of How To / How Not To, brought to you by the makers of MLBeat's Offseason Player Movement Chart. "The Offseason Player Movement Chart: It's Keeping-Track-tastic!"
In today's episode we take a look at Positioning Newly Acquired Players.
How Not To. Nationals trade OFs Brad Wilkerson and Termel Sledge to Texas for 2B Alfonso Soriano. Nationals GM Jim Bowden, who already has Jose Vidro at second base, announces that Soriano will play the outfield, while also confessing that he hasn't actually spoken to Soriano about moving to the outfield, a proposition Soriano has openly resisted in the past. (And a misguided resistance at that, given his history with the glove at second.) Soriano not only flatly refuses to move, he indicates his preference to sign with an American League team as soon as his contract expires in the winter, citing his own comfort level playing in the junior circuit. Result: Bowden must trade Soriano again to avoid saddling his team with a disgruntled, pitching-park-depressed sieve for a second baseman, and the only available options are now American League teams, further reducing the chances he gets fair value in return.
How To. Astros sign OF Preston Wilson to a one-year contract:
In today's episode we take a look at Positioning Newly Acquired Players.
How Not To. Nationals trade OFs Brad Wilkerson and Termel Sledge to Texas for 2B Alfonso Soriano. Nationals GM Jim Bowden, who already has Jose Vidro at second base, announces that Soriano will play the outfield, while also confessing that he hasn't actually spoken to Soriano about moving to the outfield, a proposition Soriano has openly resisted in the past. (And a misguided resistance at that, given his history with the glove at second.) Soriano not only flatly refuses to move, he indicates his preference to sign with an American League team as soon as his contract expires in the winter, citing his own comfort level playing in the junior circuit. Result: Bowden must trade Soriano again to avoid saddling his team with a disgruntled, pitching-park-depressed sieve for a second baseman, and the only available options are now American League teams, further reducing the chances he gets fair value in return.
How To. Astros sign OF Preston Wilson to a one-year contract:
"Right now, it's unclear where Wilson will play.
Wilson has played primarily center field, where Willy Taveras started last season. [Taveras] batted .291 and stole 34 bases, finishing second to Philadelphia's Ryan Howard in the NL Rookie of the Year voting.
If the Astros keep Taveras and play Wilson, they would have to move either Lance Berkman or Chris Burke out of left field or Jason Lane from right.
Purpura said manager Phil Garner will make those decisions."
That's all for us today, folks. Tune in next time for How To / How Not To, as we discuss Placing Neifi Perez in a Big League Batting Order. Happy January!
