The Cubs managed to win one more against the Astros yesterday, giving them the 2-1 series win. David DeJesus hit two home runs, Brett Jackson had two extra base hits (and two strikeouts) and so on. But there are other more important things to report today, such as Alfonso Soriano and Carlos Marmol clearing waivers.
Cubs outfielder Alfonso Soriano has cleared waivers and is eligible to be traded anywhere (provided he gives his approval), sources tell CBSSports.com.
And with Melky Cabrera now subject to a 50-game suspension for using PEDs, San Francisco seems like the perfect fit for a team that could use the Fonz. Except that he already turned down a trade to the Giants at the non-waiver trade deadline.
‘‘San Francisco is not good weather to play in,’’ he said. ‘‘I’ve never played on the West Coast, but we’ll see what happens. I want to talk to my family and see.’’
Soriano said he hasn’t been approached again by the Cubs about a deal.
‘‘Now there’s six weeks left to the season,’’ he said. ‘‘I’ll try to enjoy it with these young guys and see what happens in the offseason. I’ll just try to do the best I can and not think about trade deadlines.’’
Can anyone put together a series of film clips showing spectacular weather in San Francisco?
In Cubs organizational news, Oneri Fleita was fired yesterday.
‘‘I feel real bad,’’ shortstop Starlin Castro said. ‘‘He’s like my father. I talked to him all the time in the Dominican and here. I feel really bad, but it’s a business.’’
Closer Carlos Marmol , 29, said he has known Fleita since he was 16.
‘‘This is the guy that gave me the opportunity in the minor leagues, and it was hard for me to hear [the news],’’ Marmol said. ‘‘He meant a lot because he gave me the opportunity to be a catcher and change to a pitcher. He did a lot of good things for me.’’
Now Theo has a chance to play guidance counselor with the players.
‘‘This is an unfortunate part of the business,’’ Epstein said. ‘‘Oneri’s been on both sides. Part of his job is to release players and have to let staff go, and I’ve been in that chair before. It’s just really difficult, but I think it’s part of the maturation process for young players to see that there is change and that change can be a good thing in baseball and in life.
‘‘Relationships don’t have to stop because someone moves on.’’
I wonder if he gives them a piece of candy when they’re done talking.
I know everyone wants Soriano gone…but it seems pretty obvious that he doesn’t want to play in San Francisco, and I’m actually fine with that. This really isn’t the same situation as Ryan Dempster or Derrek Lee. Both of those players were at the end of their contracts and were going to be used as rental players by the team they were traded to. Soriano still has 2 more years on his contract and if he doesn’t particularly feel comfortable in a city, such as San Francisco, I don’t blame him for not wanting to be stuck there for 2 1/2 years.
That being said, I really really really really wish he’d reconsider.
It’s also not the same because Soriano wasn’t calling and emailing Giants players, telling them all how ready he is to play for their team.
Well, that is a situation unique to Ryan Dempster.
What a scumbag.
And he is up front about it. I can respect that.
I felt Dumpster was playing the “whats in it for me?” game.
I don’t know why Soriano would not want to play in San Franscisco: you don’t have the extreme heat of LA or states like Texas or Arizona,there is a great deal of racial diversity,and it’s not a cultural backwater,like say,Fresno. Anyway,was not the divorce he went through the excuse he gave last year, when he could have played for the YANKEES!!!!! He should tell the truth for once and say,”The Cubs gave me this great contract, I’m just going to sit here, and collect the $$,knowing they will have to play me to get any return on my overpaid contract? I really don’t care about being on a winning team,or going to a playoff-this is my version of retirement.”
Honestly, if I had the choice, I wouldn’t want to move to San Francisco either. I’ve just never been a big fan of the place.
I really thought Soriano would have been traded this month, but doesn’t appear likely now.
If they can’t trade him before the season starts next year, I expect they will DFA him…hell, they’ll have Zambrano’s contract off the books by then, so they have to find another contract to waste to take Z’s place.
Even so, his offensive performance this year would indicate to me that the Cubs will eventually find someone to take him in a place that Soriano wouldn’t mind moving to.
It’s cold in SF for most of the season. Soriano doesn’t really start hitting until the weather warms up. I’d imagine playing night games by McCovey Cove is going to besomething he only wants to do for one, maybe two series a year.
Honestly, why don’t we shut Soriano down for the remainder of the season, get his knees fixed before the post-season starts, have him ready to go with a new bionic knee, and try trading him next spring training to an AL team that could really use the help at DH next year- Houston.
Frisco is a nasty place to play.
Pitchers have LITERALLY been blown off the mound in San Francisco.
Its is often cold and damp at night and a miserable place to watch a game.
That really isn’t so much the case since the moved out of Candlestick. The weather conditions are considerably better at Barry Bonds Memorial Stadium or whatever the hell it’s called.
AT&T Park isn’t much better than the stick. It’s easier to get to via mass transit, but a 64F high temp in mid august doesn’t have me screaming “woo hoo, let’s go to a night game in the damp fog.”
Whereas, I would just jump at the chance, rather then swelter like I did at Ddoger Stadium. Honestly, if one of you would take my mom off my hands, I would happily try to move up there, provided I can get a job with San Francisco’s pension system…
The only coastal city in Cali that I would even consider wanting to move to is San Diego. The rest of those cities can just sink right into the ocean for all I care.
“The coldest winter I experienced was a summer in San Francisco.”
Mark Twain
Here is a bold prediction…
I believe the Cardinals will end up winning the NL Central.
I just have a feeling that they are going to completely overwhelm everyone this last 1/4 of the season.
Given Dustbag’s ability to ruin pitchers and his lack of leadership in the pinches, Plus Garcia is coming back, I’m inclined to agree with you.
HOWEVER, since I am forced to live down here among these heathen Cardinal fans, I HOPE NOT.
I actually don’t see the Reds collapsing…I just think the Cardinals are going to win about 80% of their remaining games. There is just something about them…like they’ve been hiding in the bushes most of the season only now to unleash their fury and bury everyone else.
Sorry folks but I’m going to have to call bullshit here.
First off I live in San Francisco and I have enjoyed the luxury of walking in shorts and a tank top for the last 6 months. The weather here has been fa nominal. It has rained maybe if maybe twice in the last 3 months.
I have lived in quite a few states. From Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Illinois, Los Angeles (not a state) etc… I was born in Chicago I know what the weather is like out there (miserable)I have been sun tanning with no humidity, dry heat, snow, sleet. NADA.
I have been to many SF Giants games this year and at times it can become chilly but its not sitting at 8 below zero.
I moved from Chicago to get away from the weather and if Soriano thinks for 1 second that the weather is better in Chicago then he can suck my ass. Another lame duck excuse just like Dempster.
Fuck this I’m going to go work on my tan.
How does one suck an ass?
Actually, don’t answer that. I don’t want to know.
Ask Romney or Ryan, they will provide you with Powerpoint instructions…
I’m pretty sure Romney and Ryan would explain it without me even asking.
A straw?
Don’t tell L.A. they’re not a state..:)
LA is indeed a state…
A state of mind.
A state of mass confusion
If you are Old Man Soriano with Old Man Soriano knees, the cool, moist air of the China Basin is going to be not much fun.
And this is old man soriano we’re talking about here. He doesn’t want to be fabulous in SF. He’s more than happy just sitting back and riding out the remainder of this contract. Once this contract is done, he’s headed home and never looking back.
New rule for Cubs front office- any contract over 4 years gets a limited no trade clause (we won’t trade you to a team under .500 in season) in exchange for waiving 10-5 rights.
I don’t believe a contract void any player’s 10-5 rights.
I believe Carlos Lee gave up his 10-5 rights in exchange for a limited NTC in his Astros contract. This was what was reported around the time of his failed trade to the Dodgers.
I’m out of crackers.
But you’ve been crackers for soooooooo long now….
Wow…I haven’t been paying much attention to the AL lately. Things have really gotten bad in Boston.
And that makes me smile.
the hilarious part is that only a couple of days ago there was an article “Do the Red Sox still have a chance at the playoffs” or other such nonsense
no, no they don’t, they are done
Soriano threw me a ball the last time the Cubs were in town. He was a happy giggidty chap and the weather was 75 degrees with a slight breeze coming off the coast (beautiful night). If he wants to blame weather for his refusal to be traded then he can pound sand. I would beg to play in California if I was a player. His excuse is not valid, he is full of dookie.
maybe Soriano really don’t like someone on the team, or inthe front office, or he has an ex-girlfriend in San Francisco that he doesn’t want to run in to at the grocery store
there are places I don’t want to move to, even for 2 years
I lived in San Francisco for 6 years. I loved it. I wouldn’t resist going back.
But then, the only place I would resist going back to is Saudi Arabia. No thanks.
I like cold and damp weather. I want to move to Seattle. Or Scotland.
Well come out here before you leave, I have open non/payable never need to be paid tabs for drinks at quite a few of the fine establishments around here,
Did I hear “FREE BEER?!”
You heard correct. Anytime any of you want to come out to play, ALL drinks are on the house.
I live in Sonoma County and go to Grad School in SF. Be careful of what you are offering or you’ll be taking me out for drinks every Tuesday night.
I’ll go with you and we can time travel!
weeeee we gonna have a party!
You do? Well…go right ahead.
Lets move to Seattle together!
‘Germano a mano’ possibly a late bloomer?
no.
Gallaghager said….
Living in California is like living in a box of granola..
Them that ain’t fruit or nuts is flakes.
It is being reported that the Cubs are working on a long term contract for Castro.
If that contract is anything more than 5 years, someone will have to shoot me.