Julio Franco doesn’t know Alfonso Soriano well, but enough to know what he should do: Just shut up and play.
Soriano’s mind wondered when he was with the Yankees, but there was Willie Randolph to kick him in the rear. “It’s not any of my business,’’ were Randolph’s thoughts on Soriano refusing to play left field. It is hard to imagine Frank Robinson putting up with this nonsense much longer. With $10 million on the table and the Nationals threatening to suspend Soriano, Franco said he thought Soriano would play. “But for how long?’’ Franco said, raising the possibility of Soriano saying he was hurt, which would enable him to keep on salary. But, if he’s suspended, not only won’t he get paid, but will lose service time and won’t be a free agent after this season. And, all this because he doesn’t want to play left field. Hard to believe, but true. Soriano has been an All-Star second baseman, but the fact is he’s an all-star hitter who happens to play second base. He only landed at the position because Chuck Knoblauch couldn’t throw straight. As long as this is going on, you’ll hear Soriano’s name linked to the Mets. Don’t believe it. They aren’t going to spend $18 million – you have to remember Kaz Matsui’s $8 million because nobody wants him – for two second basemen, neither of which can catch the ball. Should the Nationals suspend him or let him have his way and play second base? Or, should the Mets go after him anyway? Let me know what you think. – John