NEWSLETTER
As documented in these here pages, Geovany Soto attributed his Rookie of the Year 2008 campaign to a strict offseason workout and diet regimen, as developed by former Cubs pitcher Kerry Wood. Before 2009, Kerry Wood left, Soto appeared to gain weight, and then boom, his 2009 pretty much sucked.
So here’s hoping he’s got designs on hitting the weights and the Weight Watchers this offseason. A recent interview gives a little insight.
MLB.com: This offseason, when do you start your workouts?
Soto: I won’t shut it down completely. I’ll probably start working right away. Maybe I’ll take a week off, but after that, I’ll hit the gym and by November, I’ll be training full-time. I’ll pick up a bat Dec. 1. I started in January [last year] to get ready for the World Baseball Classic, but this year, I’ll start earlier to work on my hands and stuff.
…MLB.com: Is there a comfort food you crave?
Soto: It’s a Christmas food called “Arroz con Gandules” [rice with pigeon peas] — it’s a national dish for Christmas. My mother makes it. cubs.com.
Pidgeon peas actually look to be relatively healthy, so maybe that and rice wouldn’t be so bad. Good to hear he’s planning to work out earlier this year than last, and may not do the WBC thing.
If he gets back into good shape, lays off the pipe, and stays fit all season, there’s a good chance he’ll have a rebound year in 2010.
