milky_way
11-14-2003, 09:28 PM
Nice to see Joe backing up his players...:cool:...
Torre comes to Soriano's defense
By Tom Singer / MLB.com
http://yankees.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/index.jsp?c_id=nyy
NEW YORK -- As the Yankees enter baseball's trade market, the popular buzz makes it appear that their main currency is Alfonso Soriano.
Even in speculation mode, whenever a possible deal is mentioned, Soriano's name seems to be attached.
Joe Torre has a message for short-term memory critics trying to hold open the door for Soriano: Cut the guy a little slack, will you?
"I'm very concerned about the tag he has gotten because of a tough postseason," said Torre in defense of the second baseman, who struggled through October. "That's when you're facing the best pitchers in baseball.
"Yes, he struggled, maybe tried too hard. But you can't ignore the numbers he put up for three years ... and the way he has played second base."
Soriano was one of the symbols of a disappointing October that saw the Yankees fall two wins shy of a World Series title. In 17 postseason games, he drew only three walks while striking out 26 times in 71 at-bats, often looking dazed and confused.
Soriano hit bottom when Torre benched him for Game 5 of the World Series -- but now the manager is the one asking everyone to remember the meteoric talent who totaled 95 homers, 266 RBIs and 119 stolen bases over the last three seasons while missing only 17 games.
"He has certainly taken a much bigger hit than he deserves to take," said Torre, alluding to cracks in Soriano's reputation.
Nor is the manager so quick to assume that the 2004 Yankees' infield defense would be improved with a new second baseman displacing Soriano, a converted outfielder.
It has been widely reported that the Yankees have shown interest in second basemen available on the free-agent market, raising the impression that Soriano may be destined to move one way or another -- out of the infield, even if not out of town.
"I don't think I'd make that a major project," said Torre, referring to finding another position for Soriano to play. "A lot depends on the makeup of the team. If the team would be better with someone else playing second base, Alfonso could play the outfield very well.
"But it's not something that has to be done for the betterment of the team. He's still learning to play second base -- and already makes plays behind the bag better than most second basemen."
In a 2003 season that was defensively typical for him, Soriano tied for third among AL second basemen with 757 chances, although he was tops with 19 errors.
"He has little weaknesses," Torre conceded, "but he's gotten better going to his left. He does seem a little more tentative going in that direction, but it isn't a problem that can't be taken care of.
"And he has great hands, and he is not afraid."
By that, Torre meant that Soriano isn't afraid to take chances and make mistakes in the process of developing. The implication also is that one bad month isn't going to make him flinch.
Tom Singer is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
Torre comes to Soriano's defense
By Tom Singer / MLB.com
http://yankees.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/index.jsp?c_id=nyy
NEW YORK -- As the Yankees enter baseball's trade market, the popular buzz makes it appear that their main currency is Alfonso Soriano.
Even in speculation mode, whenever a possible deal is mentioned, Soriano's name seems to be attached.
Joe Torre has a message for short-term memory critics trying to hold open the door for Soriano: Cut the guy a little slack, will you?
"I'm very concerned about the tag he has gotten because of a tough postseason," said Torre in defense of the second baseman, who struggled through October. "That's when you're facing the best pitchers in baseball.
"Yes, he struggled, maybe tried too hard. But you can't ignore the numbers he put up for three years ... and the way he has played second base."
Soriano was one of the symbols of a disappointing October that saw the Yankees fall two wins shy of a World Series title. In 17 postseason games, he drew only three walks while striking out 26 times in 71 at-bats, often looking dazed and confused.
Soriano hit bottom when Torre benched him for Game 5 of the World Series -- but now the manager is the one asking everyone to remember the meteoric talent who totaled 95 homers, 266 RBIs and 119 stolen bases over the last three seasons while missing only 17 games.
"He has certainly taken a much bigger hit than he deserves to take," said Torre, alluding to cracks in Soriano's reputation.
Nor is the manager so quick to assume that the 2004 Yankees' infield defense would be improved with a new second baseman displacing Soriano, a converted outfielder.
It has been widely reported that the Yankees have shown interest in second basemen available on the free-agent market, raising the impression that Soriano may be destined to move one way or another -- out of the infield, even if not out of town.
"I don't think I'd make that a major project," said Torre, referring to finding another position for Soriano to play. "A lot depends on the makeup of the team. If the team would be better with someone else playing second base, Alfonso could play the outfield very well.
"But it's not something that has to be done for the betterment of the team. He's still learning to play second base -- and already makes plays behind the bag better than most second basemen."
In a 2003 season that was defensively typical for him, Soriano tied for third among AL second basemen with 757 chances, although he was tops with 19 errors.
"He has little weaknesses," Torre conceded, "but he's gotten better going to his left. He does seem a little more tentative going in that direction, but it isn't a problem that can't be taken care of.
"And he has great hands, and he is not afraid."
By that, Torre meant that Soriano isn't afraid to take chances and make mistakes in the process of developing. The implication also is that one bad month isn't going to make him flinch.
Tom Singer is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.