Soriano refuses to go to the field

[WVU]

What? LOL!! Here is an unreasonable request: Soriano, could you make sure that after you hit the ball that you make sure the bat hits the umpire in the head! That is unreasonable. Soriano, could you please fob a fly ball while you are out in left field since I have the Brewers ML. That is unreasonable. Soriano, could you drive the team bus and unload all the bags for us when we get to the stadium. That is probably unreasonable.

Get out in left field? that is far from unreasonable.

If you work at a dealership as a salesman and the big boss comes by and asks that you get to the shop and clean up an oil spill...that may seem unreasonable but it's well within his right to ask and well within your right to quit.... However, if you want to keep your job, then it doesn't seem so unreasonable all of a sudden.

I'm happy that soriano would not go into the field. I am also happy that the nationals never have to pay him for not acting on a request to play baseball. It's pretty basic to me. tulsa

using your example, the manager isn't exactly asking him to temporarily change his duties to include cleaning up an oil spill. He is asking him to permanently change his position to outfield. If the dealership manager asked you to permanently move to shop maintenance then you certainly would tell him to go scratch. I am sure a large majority of professional baseball players would object to changing their position permanently. The guy has thus far been paid to play infield.

 

[viking611]

using your example, the manager isn't exactly asking him to temporarily change his duties to include cleaning up an oil spill. He is asking him to permanently change his position to outfield. If the dealership manager asked you to permanently move to shop maintenance then you certainly would tell him to go scratch. I am sure a large majority of professional baseball players would object to changing their position permanently. The guy has thus far been paid to play infield.

agreed. nobody is going to do it...Jose Vidro wouldn't and neither would a majority of major leaguers, especially all stars...there has been a few notables but not many...many times it is someone in the minors who has no choice if they want to keep playing

 

[Tulsa]

Well, we aren't going to agree on this one. I just can't imagine that you believe that the Nationals need to pay someone that refuses a legal and (by most people's standards) reasonable request. Aside from all the other discussion about what the Nationals should have or did expect from him or what he has always expected to do, the fact that you believe he can refuse the directive and still be paid causes me to wonder about the ethics of us as workers....

Let's say the salesman was asked to permanently move to the shop...what then? He either does it or doesn't get paid, right? It is his right to quit and I agree that Soriano does not have to play in the field!! HOWEVER, it is also the right of management not to pay someone that is not working within the contractual agreement.... How is this an issue? I cannot continue here as other things pend. I just don't see how you guys cannot agree with me. Anyway, good luck. tulsa

 

[Dubpoet]

Keep me updated. I have him high on my fantasy list

 

[WorldNumberOne]

he outta atleast try it . he might like it .

cant be fun playing 2nd base and making more errors than any little leaguer in history...

he should be happy any team wants him to play in the field at all..

 

[FatTony]

Well, we aren't going to agree on this one. I just can't imagine that you believe that the Nationals need to pay someone that refuses a legal and (by most people's standards) reasonable request. Aside from all the other discussion about what the Nationals should have or did expect from him or what he has always expected to do, the fact that you believe he can refuse the directive and still be paid causes me to wonder about the ethics of us as workers....

Let's say the salesman was asked to permanently move to the shop...what then? He either does it or doesn't get paid, right? It is his right to quit and I agree that Soriano does not have to play in the field!! HOWEVER, it is also the right of management not to pay someone that is not working within the contractual agreement.... How is this an issue? I cannot continue here as other things pend. I just don't see how you guys cannot agree with me. Anyway, good luck. tulsa

Of course he should go into the outfield, but I don't get what the Nationals were thinking. Soriano made a problem of this with Texas, so it's not like they didn't know what a pain in the ass he was about it. The rest of the league didn't trade for him because of it. Who wants him at 2nd? Mets are dying for a second base man and they won't bother dealing with the Nats for him.

The Nationals just traded and made believe that when the time came, he would just cave in and go play left. It went in one ear and out the other with them.

 

[Journeyman]

Again tulsa...does this make much sense? Trade 3 players for a player you want to sit and not pay?? Should've never made the deal and should look to deal him to someone else and get some great young talent for him!

They will lose him after one season anyway...look for the Nats to unload him if they're out of it in August anyway.

I didn't like this deal from the get go...unless they knew they could ink him and of course no for sure he would move to the outfield, they should have never made this deal...they have a decent nucleus , this will end up lingering and the team will suffer.

 

[viking611]

They will lose him after one season anyway...look for the Nats to unload him if they're out of it in August anyway.

I didn't like this deal from the get go...unless they knew they could ink him and of course no for sure he would move to the outfield, they should have never made this deal...they have a decent nucleus , this will end up lingering and the team will suffer.

hit it on the nail JMAN...they need to unload him asap i believe...before the season even starts.

 

[Rude]

Is anyone surprised ?

Athletes these days do whatever they want. They know they can get away with it. It's the ME FIRST attitude.

If the team you are on won't take care of your NEEDS (lol!), or requests, someone else will pay for your services. Happens all the time in pro sports.

That's why I laugh at people who look up to these guys as gods.

They don't do it for the love if the game anymore, they only do it for the money!

 

[Journeyman]

Just play Was UND with Patterson all year...in fact i may play the entire season Under, every Nationals game...and call it a season. :missingte

 

[FairWarning]

Before everyone knocks Soriano, consider this...

His value as a 2B is a ton more than his value in the OF. He has one year left on his contract if I remember correctly and moving to the OF will cost him a nice chunk of cash in the FA market.

I understand why he won't move.

What value does Soriano have at 2nd base. He sucks. Worst fielding % five years running. One of the reasons Texas traded him was they wanted him to play OF. If he had one ounce of professional pride he A: learns to play 2nd base better, or B: learn to play the OF. He had all winter to learn these skills.

 

[WVU]

What value does Soriano have at 2nd base. He sucks. Worst fielding % five years running. One of the reasons Texas traded him was they wanted him to play OF. If he had one ounce of professional pride he A: learns to play 2nd base better, or B: learn to play the OF. He had all winter to learn these skills.

remember errors in the outfield can be much more costly than errors at 2nd base. 2nd base is the easiest position on the infield. Give me a 2nd baseman with a guaranteed 100 RBIs anyday.

 

[Illini]

Last time I checked, Soriano was not a business owner, he was an EMPLOYEE. In order for employees to be paid, they have to follow their job description. His job description is to obey the manager and play hard. As I've said before, the free agent market is not going to punish a guy for playing out of position, in order to help his team win. He better suck it up, or practice his slurpee making skills.

 

[Tulsa]

Last time I checked, Soriano was not a business owner, he was an EMPLOYEE. In order for employees to be paid, they have to follow their job description. His job description is to obey the manager and play hard. As I've said before, the free agent market is not going to punish a guy for playing out of position, in order to help his team win. He better suck it up, or practice his slurpee making skills.

And today....I agree 100% with Illini!!! Ah, the world turns, does it not!? Good post Illini! tulsa

 

[chrismiz]

For Soriano's paycheck....

I'd play outfield, do the team's laundry, polish their shoes, clean the toilets, and make coffee for the manager.

 

[Insiders]

Trade him, if they can find anyone that might, and i do mean Might want him !

 

[dmmd98]

Trade him, if they can find anyone that might, and i do mean Might want him !

Yeah like there is going to be a lack of teams either trying to trade or sign a 40 home run 30 steals player in his 20's. I don't agree with what he is doing nor do I really care but it is clear he doesn't want to play in Washington and he is acting up in the hopes he gets traded before the July 31st trading deadline when Washington was planning on moving him.

 

[WCBias]

Before everyone knocks Soriano, consider this...

His value as a 2B is a ton more than his value in the OF. He has one year left on his contract if I remember correctly and moving to the OF will cost him a nice chunk of cash in the FA market.

I understand why he won't move.

Is it free agency or arbitration? I heard a guy on the radio today explaining this and says it could be a difference of $5 mill and once he wins at arbitration (because they only look at offensive numbers) he will move to the outfield.

Regardless, he's an ass and the Nationals are goofballs for trading for him.

 

[kingbill]

He said he wouldn't play OF before the Nats traded for him, stupid move right up there with the Vancouver Grizzlies Drafting Francis after he said he wouldn't play for them. Still Can't believe he didn't take the field. He should have taken the field and did the job half-assed.

 

[edub69]

Anyone who has played much baseball ought to realize that playing outfield is ten times easier than playing infield, especially comparing a corner outfield position to a middle infield position. Especially a player as athletic as Soriano who will look impressive in the outfield covering a lot of ground with his speed. He's not only a jerkoff but he's costing himself money down the line by pulling this stunt.