Knuckle Curve » alfonso soriano

Alfonso Soriano Headed for Knee Surgery

Stephen Kersey — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 03:55:37 +0000

It’s safe to say that the Chicago Cubs won’t see their World Series curse end this year. Alfonso Soriano, arguably the team’s best player, could very well miss the rest of the 2009 baseball season due to a knee injury. According to the Chicago Tribune, Soriano went on record as saying he’ll have arthroscopic surgery later this month.

Even when healthy this season, Soriano didn’t do much to justify his $17 million salary. For the year, he’s hitting .241 with 20 homers, 64 runs and 55 RBIs. In fact, 2009 could go down as Soriano’s worst year since becoming an everyday Major League Baseball player in 2001 for the New York Yankees.

While the Cubs are technically in second place in the NL Central, it is hardly a race, The St. Louis Cardinals lead the division by 11.5 games and show no signs of slowing down. Chicago at 67-66 are the only other team in the division over .500.

All things considered, don’t expect to see Soriano again this season. The Cubs have too much invested in him and will instead let him rest up for 2010.

Don't expect to see Alfonso Soriano in a Cubs uniform again this season (Image: Zuma Press)

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Outfielder Rankings – Fantasy Baseball

Stephen Kersey — Sun, 03 May 2009 03:58:05 +0000

In 2009 fantasy baseball, there are a lot of outfielders who are off to a hot start. Here’s a look at the top five outfielder in our fantasy baseball rankings:

Raul Ibanez, Philadelphia Philles
The World Series champions added Ibanez over the offseason to get another big bat in their lineup. So far, he’s been a great addition. He already has 20 runs, 19 RBIs and seven homers.

Nick Markakis, Baltimore Orioles
Markakis has been one of the hottest prospects in baseball for years and he is showing why this season. He’s hitting .379 with 25 runs, 24 RBIs and three homers. With solid bats around him in Baltimore, he should continue to produce.

Adam Jones, Baltimore Orioles
Markakis’ Orioles teammate is having a very good season. He was a sleeper heading into the season and he’s showing his potential. He has a .432 on-base percentage to go with 26 runs, 18 RBI, four homers and two stolen bases.

Torii Hunter, Los Angeles Angels
Last season’s big free agent signing, Hunter has helped keep the Angels together this season. He’s stepped into a leadership position on and off the field. Hunter has 20 runs, eight RBI and 16 runs.

Alfonso Soriano, Chicago Cubs
Although his .272 batting average isn’t spectacular, he has 22 runs, 14 RBI, seven homers and four stolen bases. As always, the sky is the limit for Soriano.

Post from: Knuckle Curve

Cubs Swept Video – Cubs Eliminated from Playoffs

Stephen Kersey — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 04:48:14 +0000

Many baseball experts had the Chicago Cubs as the favorites to win the 2008 World Series. Cubs fans were also hopeful that the 100-year curse could finally be over. Those hopes, however, will have to wait another year.

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Cubs on Saturday to successfully complete a 3-0 sweep. The Dodgers, who won the game 3-1, will move on to face the winner of the Philadelphia Phillies and the Milwaukee Brewers series. The Phillies currently lead that series 2-1.

The video of the Cubs getting swept will be hard for Cubs fans to stomach. Rich Harden, who the Cubs traded for in the middle of the season, was unimpressive — lasting only 4.1 innings. Alfonso Soriano was 0-5 and hit just .071 in the series.

For the Dodgers, their main star was starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda. Kuroda, who was born in Japan, pitched 6.1 scoreless innings and also struck out four cubs. Manny Ramirez was 1-for-2 with two walks and a run, while James Looney had two big RBIs.

Luckily for the Cubs and their fans, there is always next year.

Post from: Knuckle Curve

Chicago Cubs Lose First Playoff Game

Stephen Kersey — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 05:46:56 +0000

The 100 year curse looks to be alive and breathing. The Chicago Cubs lost their first playoff game in 2008 by a final score of 7-2 against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

At first, things looked fine for Chicago. They got up 2-0 by scoring two in the bottom of the second inning. But then James Looney of the Dodgers hit a grand slam in the top of the fifth inning to put Los Angeles up for good.

Not surprisingly, Manny Ramirez shined for the Dodgers. He was 2-4 with a walk, two runs, an RBI and a homer run. Derek Lowe pitched a fine six innings, giving up two earned runs while striking out six.

For the Cubs, things weren’t as rosy. Ryan Dempster struggled through 4.2 innings that saw him walk seven batters and give up four earned runs. Alfonso Soriano, Kosuke Fukudome and Geovany Soto combined to go 0-12.

Chicago still has a chance to put the curse to bed but Game 2 has now turned out to be a must win game. Taking the hill for the Cubs will be ace Carlos Zambrano and he will take on Chad Billingsley of the Dodgers.

Game 2 will be Thursday at 9:30 PM CST.

Manny Ramirez and Joe Torre have to like the Dodgers’ Game 1 success.

Photo: Newscom

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Alfonso Soriano Broken Left Hand – Out Six Weeks

Stephen Kersey — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 06:01:53 +0000

Alfonso Soriano of the Chicago Cubs broke his a bone in his left hand and will be out approximately six weeks. Soriano got hit by a pitch from Jeff Bennett in Wednesday game against the Atlanta Braves.

On the season, Soriano is hitting .280 with 15 homers and 40 RBI. The 32-year-old native of the Dominican Republic is in his second season with the Cubs.

With help from Soriano’s bat, the Cubs currently have the best record in baseball. With a 42-24 record, the Cubs have a 2.5 game lead on the St. Louis Cardinals in the NL Central.

The Cubs will have to place Soriano on the DL for the second time this season. Soriano missed two weeks earlier in the season with a calf injury.

Photo: Newscom

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Best Baseball Teams in April 2008

Stephen Kersey — Thu, 01 May 2008 10:02:11 +0000

Arizona Diamondbacks
The Diamondbacks are young but amazingly talented. With great pitching, bashers at the plate and a solid manager, the Diamondbacks are for real. If Randy Johnson can return to 80% of his former self, he’d make Arizona the heavy favorite to represent the National League in the World Series.

Boston Red Sox
The reigning champs haven’t shown too many weaknesses so far this season. David Ortiz got off to a slow start but he’s playing well again. The pitching can only get better and the bats can only get hotter. You have to think the New York Yankees will make a run but the Red Sox could be too far ahead by the time they get healthy.

Los Angeles Angels
The Angels have a devastating lineup that never seems to end. They certainly have the potential to be the best hitting team in all of the major leagues. Their pitching needs step up but there’s enough talent on that staff to figure things out. The Oakland Athletics and the Seattle Mariners will keep the heat on in the AL West.

Chicago Cubs
Even though Alfonso Soriano has missed a chunk of the season to date, the Cubs have been able to get off to a hot start. Derrek Lee is smashing the ball again and Geovany Soto is as hot as any catcher in baseball. If the pitchers can become consistent, the Cubs have a chance to – eh nevermind, they’re still the Cubs.

Geovany Soto, Cubs catcher

Photo: Newscom

Post from: Knuckle Curve

Various Injury Updates – April 16

Stephen Kersey — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 07:17:38 +0000

Alfonso Soriano
As if being a Chicago Cubs fan isn’t tough enough, it sounds like Alfonso Soriano may be out for a while. Soriano strained his calf making a catch in the outfield. After being helped off the field, Soriano was said to be in a lot of pain. Expect him to be out at least a couple weeks. MRI results on Wednesday will give more information.

Eric Bedard
“No way.” That was what Eric Bedard said when asked whether he could make his next start. Dealing with a hip injury, Bedard was placed on the 15-day disabled list by the Seattle Mariners. The Mariners, who traded five players for Bedard in a February deal with the Baltimore Orioles, will turn to knuckleballer R.A. Dickey to replace Bedard for now. We suggest Dickey mix in a knuckle curve or two.

Pedro Martinez
After straining his hamstring in his first start of the season, Pedro Martinez was expected to miss four to six weeks. Now, the latest reports have Martinez out until June. This is obviously a big blow for the New York Mets, who entered the season with high expectations but are just 6-6 on the season.

Kaz Matsui
Houston Astros second baseman Kaz Matsui will continue his rehab stint in the minors with Round Rock Express. Matsui is recovering from an anal fissure. The injury plagued him during spring training and eventually required surgery. We feel your pain, Kaz. A lesser man may have taken a year off with that injury. Take your time.

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