Today the Chicago Cubs announced that they had signed former Washington Nationals outfielder Alfonzo Soriano to a reported 8 year contract with a value of $136 million dollars. This contract is the sixth largest in Major League Baseball history and the largest contract ever offered by the Chicago Cubs. Soriano’s signing marked the sixth free agent signing by the Cubs this month following Aramis Ramirez, Kerry Wood, Henry Blanco, Wade Miller, and Mark DeRosa. The team also traded for left-hander Neal Cotts making their roster look like a revolving door. Club officials stated that they are not through yet and anticipate signing a center fielder and at least two starting pitchers.
As I read these news articles I had to stop and wonder if I had somehow missed a press release that stating the Chicago Cubs and New York Yankees had agreed to swap franchises leaving George Steinbrenner to wander the friendly confines of Wrigley Field. What other explanation could there be to explain the gang on the north side committing over $220 million to first baseman Derrick Lee, third baseman Aramis Ramirez, and outfielder Alfonzo Soriano. It will be interesting to see whether all of these additions will equate to a trip to the World Series in 2007 to contend for a world championship rather than being invited guests of the St. Louis Cardinals to watch as the red birds attempt to repeat their World Series run. Personally I think that unless they can exorcise a goat curse and find 3 more starting pitchers they are destined to get close to the post season but won’t actually win the pennant let alone the series. Of course I didn’t think Schilling and his bloody sock would make a difference in Boston either.
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