Will Alfonso Soriano be a HOFer?

[Topnotchsy]

Couldn't have said it better. Most yankee fans I knew, wanted him gone the first go around, very few were upset he was sent packing.

I'm a Yankee fan I don't seem to recall it that way. I don't think too many were disappointed to get Arod in return (funny how that worked out lol) but IIRC Soriano was pretty popular in NY. I know I as a fan anyways...

 

[gmsieb]

I'm a Yankee fan I don't seem to recall it that way. I don't think too many were disappointed to get Arod in return (funny how that worked out lol) but IIRC Soriano was pretty popular in NY. I know I as a fan anyways...

Yah, but you are a yankee fan, with a brain. How many more are there???:wink:???

 

[aarne13]

I don't think he makes the cut. For an outfielder his stats are not top tier. 500 HR's might give him a chance but I don't think he plays that long.

 

[ChasHawk]

Maybe what in thinking is what's already been mentioned, the poor outfield play. Watched a few games myself and always wondered why they left him out there.

Because he was even worse at 2B

 

[ChasHawk]

Didn't realize he was that close to 400/300...that is a small club to belong to.

 

[Lars]

He seems more like a compiler - Hall of Very Good perhaps.

 

[ChasHawk]

He seems more like a compiler - Hall of Very Good perhaps.

Not saying he is a HOFer, but 34 hr and 101 rbi does not a compiler make.

 

[Topnotchsy]

Not saying he is a HOFer, but 34 hr and 101 rbi does not a compiler make.

I agree. I don't think "compiler" is the right way to peg Soriano. I think it's fairer to say that his actual value is overstated if you look at traditional counting stats like home runs and steals. (It is funny how steals became this important statistical category when it's really such a small part of the game and not nearly as important as many other stats. I think an element is the excitement factor.

 

[bcubs]

Getting to 500 is the only shot he has

 

[All The Hype]

I'd say he was an offensively elite player for about 4-5 seasons...the type of guy you'd take in the top 5 picks of a fantasy baseball draft. That being said, his peak 7 year WAR is not close to that of the average HOFer. I think he will get to 450 HR/325 SB fairly easily if he plays 2-3 more seasons, which puts him in rare company as a speed/power combo; but will that be enough or will he need to reach the magical 500 HR total?

 

[nosterbor]

Ask when he is done playing. Could go yes or no.

 

[maxe0213]

Gotta be the only guy ever who would jump before catching a routine flyball hit directly to him.

He requested to be played in the OF and said that he would hit better if he was playing out there instead of DH'ing and at the time the Yanks didn't have better defensive options.

The few key points with Soriano:
-If he stayed at second his whole career, I think he's in no doubt
-If he gets to 500 homers, I think he would squeak in
-If he wins a WS in these last few years that would help a lot as well

If he doesn't get to 500 then he won't get in and adding a WS and 500 would be a big boost.

 

[maxe0213]

Couldn't have said it better. Most yankee fans I knew, wanted him gone the first go around, very few were upset he was sent packing.

What? Soriano was a popular player in New York. Obviously at the time swapping him for ARod was a no brainer (Not sure if it would've worked out better to keep Sori) but just because they swapped him doesn't mean that he was disliked or not favored in NY. He was one of the more popular players on the team.

 

[Lars]

Not saying he is a HOFer, but 34 hr and 101 rbi does not a compiler make.

I'm talking his entire career - good power but his on-base percentage is around .300 and his batting average maybe around .250 or .260 - he has put up numbers but he hasn't been a superstar.

 

[matfanofold]

It really is hard to say right now....

If the guy can stick around, even as a compiler, for the next 3 or 4 years, and add 400 - 500 hits and 100 or so HR's, it's going to be very hard to keep him out. And believe me, I am one who believe it should NOT be the hall of stats, but having 2500+ hits, 500+ home runs, and a productive career spanning almost 20 years (assuming he can keep playing for the next 3-4 years). then that speaks for itself with regards to worth despite never really achieving the levels of popularity or statistical dominance (on a yearly basis) many believe the hall is reserved for.

How many with 2500 hits and 500 HR's are not in? Still, he has a ways to go before a compelling argument can be made. If I have to vote right now, I say No.

 

[aarne13]

Joe Carter is a comparable on bbref. He didn't last a year on the ballot.

 

[matfanofold]

Joe Carter is a comparable on bbref. He didn't last a year on the ballot.

Despite a few shortcomings with Carter, that's not a bad comparison, IF the vote was being cast today.

 

[maxe0213]

IF the vote was being cast today.

Exactly. I think most people are forgetting he is still playing at a relatively strong level and likely has a few seasons left.

 

[Lars]

The new era of baseball writers are numbers snobs - it's going hard for Soriano to merit strong consideration with their standards escalating whenever each new stat is 'formulated.'

Maybe 20 years ago, the sheer numbers would have brought Soriano to the cusp of the Hall of Fame - likely however, he is going to be another Fred McGriff.

By the time his career is over, Soriano might be docked for his on-base percentage, his base running, his fielding, his WAR, etc.

 

[gmsieb]

His war sucks. Guys like larry walker dwarf him.