Soriano to bat 2nd, Fukudome 5th on Friday

[Flames24Rulz]

It's just Spring Training, so I'm not going to freak out about this too much.

[David]

I think Theriot is a better hitter than Soriano.

 

 

L O L

 

You really shouldn't make Aramis Fan look bad by putting such horrifically dumb words in his mouth.

[javy knows my name]

I think Theriot is a better hitter than Soriano.

 

 

L O L

 

You really shouldn't make Aramis Fan look bad by putting such horrifically dumb words in his mouth.

Indeed. God help you both

[reds44]

When everybody is healthy, the Cubs lineup should be:

 

1. DeRosa 2B

2. Fukudome RF

3. Lee 1B

4. Ramirez 3B

5. Soriano LF

6. Soto C

7. Pie CF

8. Theriot SS

 

Although that 7-8-9 has the potential to be a black hole.

[Mizzou]

Lou has messed with the lineup all of ST, I don't see what the uproar is all about.

 

And yes, Theriot is a more patient hitter than Soriano. He shouldn't leadoff though.

[WilcoFan]

People are this upset because Soriano is going to hit second in a meaningless Spring Training game?

 

The season needs to start soon. I'm afraid someone here is going to jump off a bridge if Piniella were to offhandedly mention that Sam Fuld might hit leadoff. Everybody needs a collective Xanax.

[17 Seconds]

People are this upset because Soriano is going to hit second in a meaningless Spring Training game?

 

The season needs to start soon. I'm afraid someone here is going to jump off a bridge if Piniella were to offhandedly mention that Sam Fuld might hit leadoff. Everybody needs a collective Xanax.

 

If you read the article, you'll notice that it sounds like Lou is giving this serious consideration for more than just spring training.

[seanimal]

http://www.feebleminds-gifs.com/exploding-head.gif

[VVMattVV]

The idea of Theriot possibly getting the most PA on the team makes me sick.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I think Theriot is a better hitter than Soriano.

 

 

I hope this is sarcasm.

[Balsa]

Could he design it any worse?

[WilcoFan]

People are this upset because Soriano is going to hit second in a meaningless Spring Training game?

 

The season needs to start soon. I'm afraid someone here is going to jump off a bridge if Piniella were to offhandedly mention that Sam Fuld might hit leadoff. Everybody needs a collective Xanax.

 

If you read the article, you'll notice that it sounds like Lou is giving this serious consideration for more than just spring training.

 

Meh. I see another Piniella "let's try it and see what happens" here. Don't think it will last...

[Schwarber Fan]

I think Theriot is a better hitter than Soriano.

 

 

I hope this is sarcasm.

 

I wrote that he's a better leadoff man, which i stand by.

 

Soriano's obviously the better hitter.

[rawaction]

I think Theriot is a better hitter than Soriano.

 

 

I hope this is sarcasm.

 

I wrote that he's a better leadoff man, which i stand by.

 

Soriano's obviously the better hitter.

 

Wouldn't that also mean he's the better leadoff hitter?....And 2 hitter? And 3 hitter? And cleanup hitter? Not to mention 5-9 hitter?

[rawaction]

This is the absolute worse scenario. Move Soriano out of the 1 spot, where there is at least some evidence that he's better at and he's comfortable. The only reason you would think about doing that is to move him to a middle of the order slot where his home runs might do more damage.

 

To move him to 2 though? That would basically be the worst of both worlds. He would be a part of the lineup that both doesn't fit his game and he doesn't feel comfortable with. It simply doesn't make sense.

 

Exactly. 1 and 2 are basically the same position in the order. If the idea is to not "waste Soriano's HRs"...wouldn't he be better served to get those chances behind .400 OBP Derrek Lee over .325 OBP Theriot?

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I think Theriot is a better hitter than Soriano.

 

 

I hope this is sarcasm.

 

I wrote that he's a better leadoff man, which i stand by.

 

Soriano's obviously the better hitter.

 

 

How is he a better lead-off man. Even if we assume that there's actually a position of "lead-off", I still don't see how Theriot fits any better.

 

If the job of the lead-off man is limited to getting on base, Soriano does that better than Theriot.

 

2007 OBP

Soriano:337

Theriot: 326

 

From the lead-off spot, Theriot has a career line of 261 .312 .460.

From the lead-off spot, Soriano has a career line of .304 .344 .570

 

So other than just conjecture or gut feeling how is Theriot better than Soriano whether it be lead-off, clean-up, or where ever you want them in the line-up?

[17 Seconds]

I think Theriot is a better hitter than Soriano.

 

 

I hope this is sarcasm.

 

I wrote that he's a better leadoff man, which i stand by.

 

Soriano's obviously the better hitter.

 

So, you're saying you'd rather have .266/.326 out of the leadoff spot than.299/.337 just because the first guy takes more walks? That's some pretty flawed logic sir.

 

That reminds me of the guy on the cubs.com board who insisted that Theriot gets on base well. His reasoning was that the difference between a player's average and his OBP is more important than how high the OBP itself is. So if a guy hits .170 but has a .280 obp, he thinks the guy gets on base well.

[17 Seconds]

I've been against the Roberts trade if it's for the rumored packages, but I have a feeling that if we don't get him the lineup construction is going to be a nightmare. The fact that Lou is even considering Theriot at leadoff and Soriano 2nd is extremely Dustyesque and completely unnacceptable. Under no circumstances should Theriot be batting leadoff. None.

[NOLA]

When everybody is healthy, the Cubs lineup should be:

 

1. DeRosa 2B

2. Fukudome RF

3. Lee 1B

4. Ramirez 3B

5. Soriano LF

6. Soto C

7. Pie CF

8. Theriot SS

 

Although that 7-8-9 has the potential to be a black hole.

Winner winner, chicken dinner! This is not a bad lineup. Hell, why do we say "trade for Roberts or get off the pot"? The hype around the Roberts trade is hyped by people RIGHT HERE on this message board or by beat writers trying to make the spring more interesting for guys like us. I am cool with the above lineup, see how it plays, then make a move by the end of July. What if Gallagher looks to be a stud? What if Pie figures it out? What if Theriot is the Bo Hart of a few years back? No one really knows. Don't overpay for Roberts, let this play out a little, see what our needs are. Will we really fall out of the Central race by midsummmer? We do play in the National League. A collective chill out, please.

[frostwyrm]

Putting Soriano at #2 is a terrible idea, but Lou's comment makes it sound like it will be temporary. Lou doesn't want Soriano running until he's 100%. I'm guessing he'll be back at leadoff when he's ready to run.

[Sammy Sofa]

Putting Soriano at #2 is a terrible idea, but Lou's comment makes it sound like it will be temporary. Lou doesn't want Soriano running until he's 100%. I'm guessing he'll be back at leadoff when he's ready to run.

 

What, he has permission to walk to 1st if he gets a hit if he bats #2?

 

Yet again, the Cubs prop up ye olde "a leadoff hitter has to be able to steal a ton of bases" chestnut for no real reason at all.

[ELCABALLO45]

Can Fukudome lead off? Im a Brewer fan so don't yell at me. But he seems like he draws a hulleva lot of walks so far. And he has good speed. Or is that a complelty bad idea?

[XZero771679666304]

Can Fukudome lead off? Im a Brewer fan so don't yell at me. But he seems like he draws a hulleva lot of walks so far. And he has good speed. Or is that a complelty bad idea?

 

I'm sure he could, but I don't think he will. It would make sense to me, though.

 

I'd rather have him in the 1 or 2 spot than the 5 where Lou is talking about batting him now. It is still early in ST, so who knows how things will work out. I think many here would be surprised if Brian Roberts isn't leading off on opening day, though.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Can Fukudome lead off? Im a Brewer fan so don't yell at me. But he seems like he draws a hulleva lot of walks so far. And he has good speed. Or is that a complelty bad idea?

it's a much better idea than having Ryan Theriot lead off, but I'd prefer him #2

[biittner77]

I'm going to try to rationalize this move. Theriot doesn't take a alot of pitches but that's ok because what he does do is swing at strikes. With Soriano batting behind him pitchers are not going to fool around with Theriot.