Today's Lineup Thoughts

[jersey cubs fan]

it's entirely mental. He sees himself as a leadoff guy, he likes being a leadoff guy, and he seemingly doesn't try as hard when he's dropped in the order.

 

I don't see how you can make that last claim. He doesn't try as hard? I think it's much more like that it took time for him to adjust to the league's adjustment to him. He was better out of leadoff in 2005 than in the leadoff spot.

[tfarks]

it's entirely mental. He sees himself as a leadoff guy, he likes being a leadoff guy, and he seemingly doesn't try as hard when he's dropped in the order.

 

I don't see how you can make that last claim. He doesn't try as hard? I think it's much more like that it took time for him to adjust to the league's adjustment to him. He was better out of leadoff in 2005 than in the leadoff spot.

 

Understanding the reasoning for Soriano's production is something I nor anyone else really knows. We can speculate but the stats say he is a better hitter at the top of the lineup. It would just be so much easier if he started out hot instead of a slump. The only thing you can do is move him and see what happens but based on the past he will struggle, I don't want him to feel uncomfortable with his spot in the order and despite what some say, I think it does matter.

I remember when I was playing baseball, I hit great batting leadoff, third and fourth. I never had those type of games when I batted second or fifth. I can't even explain it to myself except for I felt more comfortable in those spots. Now this isn't a good explanation but just me explaining my personal experience and how it affected me.

If the man hits his best at leadoff then let him go through his slump and stay there, maybe he just has better focus there. He will bounce back and be normal Soriano and no one will even talk about it anymore. Jones/Floyd/Barrett will do fine 5-6, lets not start jumbling everything around thinking change will equal success.

[Guest]

For me, his start to the season is irrelevant. His skills are just better used lower in the order.