Chicago Cubs Baseball

Bless Jim Hendry’s heart. The Chicago Cub baseball GM meant well when he signed Alfonso Soriano last year.

But we all know where the road paved with the best of intentions leads. And if the Chicago Cub brain trust doesn’t know, they’re finding out quickly, barely one year and two weeks into Soriano’s multiyear contract.

That’s how long it’s taken for the “star” left fielder to land on the disabled list not once, but twice in his short duration with the Cubbies.

Soriano’s latest shelving came one inning into Tuesday’s contest with Cincinnati. Following one of his “hop and catch” plays in left field, Soriano left the field limping. An MRI on Wednesday revealed a strained right calf muscle, landing the left fielder on the 15-day disabled list.

Chicago Cubs outfielders have demonstrated a flair for the flamboyant in recent years. From Sammy Sosa’s bop and hop home run trot to Soriano’s leap of faith catch, showmanship has often outweighted productivity.

Take Soriano for instance. In 2007, the left fielder came to Wrigley Field with an advanced billing that in addition to star power, promised some boom in his bat. The result was Soriano didn’t hit his first home run until the end of April and May wasn’t any better.

This year, Soriano is hitting less than his weight (180 pounds) with a whopping two home runs and OBA of .230. I guess that’s what the Cubs get for a $13M lead-off hitter. The best part is Soriano’s salary ups to $16M next year and from 2010-14 he gets paid an incredible $18M annually.

There’s no question Soriano has all the tools - all five of them. Unfortunately for the Chicago Cubs, he chooses when and where he uses them.

For example, the experiment to move Soriano from left to center field was short lived and eventually abandoned. A similar fate followed Cub manager Lou Piniella’s decision to drop Soriano down in the batting order from his customary lead-off slot.

Sure, Soriano accommodates. He graciously accepts the changes and says all the right things. He’s learned his lessons well.

Remember, this was the same Alfonso Soriano who almost was placed on the disqualified list for refusing to play the outfield for the Washington Nationals. The episode was dismissed by both parties as a misunderstanding, but we all know what uniform he’s wearing these days - and for years to come.

With all of his talent, the focus is beginning to turn towards his inabilities.  After all, what good is the equipment if it’s sitting on the shelf?