CHICAGO – The hours Cubs first base coach Dave McKay spent watching and rewatching tapes are countless.

At the beginning of spring training, McKay faced what appeared to be an impossible task: Turn Alfonso Soriano into an above-average outfielder. McKay broke down film of Soriano’s defense in left field, searching for flaws to correct, a search that didn’t last long. Soriano has been scrutinized for his defensive issues, often a comedy of errors.

McKay eliminated Soriano’s patented hop when catching fly balls – “We’re not going to do that anymore because you’re the only one that does it,” McKay told Soriano – and together they worked on his positioning and the correct way to field balls.