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Mets should trade for Soriano

	AP

For a long time, Alfonso Soriano has represented an enigma for statheads. How can a guy with zero plate discipline be a useful major league hitter? Sooner or later, critics howl, he will swing and miss his way out of the big leagues. But Soriano is still around, still flexing prodigious power while doing less walking than the typical gas-guzzling Texan.

Soriano is now the biggest name on the trade block, with the Mets showing the most interest so far. The price appears high, with Texas reportedly asking for a package revolving around one of New York's top two prospects -- outfielder Lastings Milledge or young right-hander Yusmeiro Petit. Right fielder Mike Cameron also could be the centerpiece of a package. So would this be a good deal for the Mets?

To answer that question we have to assess what we have in Soriano, who has had enough plate appearances by now (3,229) to provide a meaningful sample size. Eighteen of Soriano's 25 homers in 2005 have come in the Arlington launching pad. Despite hitting 28 home runs and slugging .484 last season, his park-adjusted OPS-plus was only 98 (100 is league average). This must be playing a role in the Rangers' desire to trade him, especially when they have infield prospect Ian Kinsler performing well at Class AAA.

On the other hand, Soriano posted OPS-plusses of 128 and 131, respectively, in 2003 and 2002 with the Yankees, who play in a brutal park for right-handed hitters. In 2002, he fell one homer shy of becoming the first righty to hit 40 bombs for the Yankees since Joe DiMaggio. Soriano is no Vinny Castilla. Soriano can hit for power anywhere, even Shea Stadium. The closest comparison I could find for Soriano's profile -- low-OBP, high-slugging infielder -- is Hall of Famer Ernie Banks, who played shortstop most of his career and posted a batting line of .274-.330-.500; Soriano's is .283-.322-.504. That is a good sign for Soriano; the best players are unique.

The biggest drawback with Soriano is his salary ($7.5 million and climbing fast), which shouldn't matter to the Mets. His defense isn't any good, either, but it's still better than Kaz Matsui's atrocious glovework. I really like this deal for New York if it can keep Cameron in the fold, because its lineup would have a potentially lethal trio of power/speed guys in Carlos Beltran, Cameron and Soriano to go along with fleet-footed Jose Reyes.

-- Jacob Luft (4:00 p.m.)

Right now Mike Cameron is floundering in right field and the Mets need to get rid of him while he still has value. But am I the only one who remembers Soriano setting the record for postseason strikeouts with that AWFUL World Series in 2003? The Mets don't have enough contact hitters as it is, and sticking Sori in the lineup would only create a bigger hole, albeit one with power. The Mets are built around speed, and they should stick to that.
-- Evaneezer, Chicago (4:46 p.m.)

Good to see you don't understand the Mets' needs at all.
-- John, Jersey Shore (4:46 p.m.)

I would love for Soriano to come to Shea. Bringing him in would really turn up the heat on our somewhat mediocre team. With that said, I can't help but wonder at what cost such a move would involve. I have faith in Omar Minaya, but i'd hate to see another rash move like last year's Zambrano/Kazmir debacle. Another SI.com writer [John Donovan] wrote that if teams couldn't obtain proper pitching, they should try to add bats and muscle their way into the playoffs. I tend to agree with him. The Mets' pitching, aside from Pedro Martinez and Kris Benson, is painful to watch, but their offense at times is even worse. I don't think they can make enough moves to fix the rotation, but the added power of Soriano might keep the Mets from mediocrity.
-- Jim, Queens, N.Y. (4:51 p.m.)

I agree the mets would benefit from Soriano and their lineup would rival the Red Sox and Yankees, but the player the Mets really need is Danys Baez or Billy Wagner. Every team that has won in the postseason for the past 10 years had a dominant closer to finish the job. The Mets' closers for the past five years have been horrible to say the least. Come September every close division game will be blown unless they get rid of Looper.
-- Mike Friedman, New York City (4:51 p.m.)

If the Mets can get Soriano without giving up Petit, they should do it as long as Cameron goes in the package because he strikes out too much. The last thing the Mets need is another hitter with no plate discipline. The only batter in the current lineup that doesn't swing at the first pitch they see is David Wright, who happens to have the best average among their every day players.
-- M. Garcia, Aliso Viejo, Calif. (4:56 p.m.)

Great observations in the article. Don't you feel Texas would want more major league-ready pitching, such as Aaron Heilman or Victor Zambrano instead? A package of either of those two with Mike Cameron would be palatable to most Mets fans.
-- a4quattro, New York (5:01 p.m.)

It's a no-brainer for the Mets. You get a unique guy, not just because of his numbers but because of the position he plays. Soriano puts up corner outfield or infield numbers playing second base. He gives them the ability to get by with no-hit, good-field Doug Mientkiewicz at first base.
-- Patrick, Holmes, N.Y. (5:01 p.m.)

Seems to me that the Mets are OK at secodn base with Marlon Anderson and Miguel Cairo, who are both serviceable if unexceptional. What about first base, though, where Mientkiewicz has been abysmal? I'd like to see Todd Helton in a Mets uni if possible or Richie Sexson.
-- John, Denver (5:01 p.m.)

Yes to bringing him in, but a big NO to trading Milledge or Petit.
-- Elgin, Las Vegas (5:11 p.m.)

As a born and raised Rangers fan (it's been tough) who now lives in NYC and has adopted the Mets (not any easier), I think this could be a great trade for both teams. Should the Rangers get a true center fielder and some decent arms they come out much better. They won't have any trouble scoring runs. And how many teams in the baseball could upgrade their "D" by adding Soriano? Plus his bat and knack for RBIs should be good for a handful of wins.
-- Brandon, NYC by way of Texas (5:26 p.m.)

Shouldn't the Mets be unloading? Do we really think that they have what it takes to win this year? Benson and Pedro are having fine seasons, but there is no bullpen, no defense and no consistant offense. Just too many problems to fix with one or two trades. Floyd, Looper, Piazza, Anderson and Cameron all have some value to someone. Let's get something hile we still can.
-- James Deckinger, Manhattan (5:56 p.m.)

The last time the Mets traded prospects for a high-priced, All-Star slugger with defensive liabilities, Mike Piazza led them to the World Series.
-- Sam Silver, New York City (6:01 p.m.)

I'm a huge Mets fan who REALLY wants Soriano to be in a Mets uni. I say we package Cameron, who strikes out a lot, along with Zambrano and Heilman. Then the Mets must make a hard push at trading for Manny Ramirez, possibly sending Floyd and Matsui and also getting Kevin Millar to play First base.
-- Alex Corrado, River Vale, New Jersey (6:16 p.m.)

Soriano is a tough one. No doubt, he's a dangerous hitter, but he's also quite expensive. After bringing in Pedro and the ultimate flop, Beltran, and with the money they've still got committed to Benson and Glavine, it's tough to see the Mets committing the kind of money it'll take to keep Soriano. What the Mets need to do it stop focusing on the high-dollar superstars available at the time and focus more on what their team needs. Bullpen, bullpen, bullpen, bullpen, bullpen ...er... catcher ... bullpen.
-- Billy, Austin, Texas (6:41 p.m.)

If the Rangers trade Soriano for something other than pitching I may lose it.
-- Kiphart, Fort Worth, Texas (7:06 p.m.)

With Marlon Anderson, Chris Woodward and Miguel Cairo all more than capable of playing second base, I really don't see this position as a "need" with the trade deadline looming. I would much rather see a deal for an offensive first basemen like Richie Sexson or Mike Sweeney (even with his inflated salary). I have been a really big fan of Doug M.'s clubhouse humor, leadership, and great glove this year at first base, but I'd like to see him come in in the late innings for defensive purposes when we have a lead, insead of his .215 average getting outs with runners on.
-- Joe Bernard, Monroeville, Pa. (7:06 p.m.)

Billy, c'mon, give me a break! For starters, Beltran is playing on a bad hammy. He was the BEST free agent on the market last winter. Second, Soriano is an excellent player who is still pretty young at 29 years of age. Also, he can really ignite an offense (I'm a die-hard Yanks fan, so trust me, I know this). If you extend Soriano's contract a few more years, and trade one prospect, you have an excellent core of talent that cannot only sneak up on the wild card this year but challenge for many more.
-- Brad, Forest Hills, N.Y. (7:31 p.m.)