Leg Strain Sidelines Soriano

Warning.

At this time, it is not safe to be an outfielder for the Chicago Cubs.

The club has placed left fielder Alfonso Soriano on the 15 day disabled list with a left quad strain.  Soriano marks the third Cubs outfielder that’s been sent to the DL in the past 2 weeks.

Soriano sustained the injury Monday night while he was trying to beat out an infield grounder.  An MRI today showed the strain.

I had no idea this guy was 35 already.  His numbers aren’t awful, as he heads to the DL with a .271 average to go along with 12 homeruns and 29 RBIs.

But you can’t forget that contract.

Thanks to the 8 year $136 million deal the Cubs dished out, Soriano is currently making $18 million and will continue amassing that amount of cash money through the 2014 season.

That massive payday came after Soriano’s monster 2006 season with the Washington Nationals.  That year he maintained a .911 OPS, hitting 46 homers and driving in 95 runs.  He also became the sole member of the 40-40-40 club, totaling at least 40 homers, stolen bases and doubles.

His current output clearly doesn’t warrant $18 million, and the Cubs are going to be stuck with that outrageous tab for the next three season.

Former top prospect Tyler Colvin has been called up to take Soriano’s roster spot.  Colvin was sent down a few weeks ago after only managing a line of .113/.191/.258 in 28 games.

Soriano joins injured Cubbie outfielders Reed Johnson and Marlon Byrd on the team’s DL.