Soriano to bat 2nd, Fukudome 5th on Friday

[jersey cubs fan]

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.

 

So they'll get the first groundball out even sooner?

[Ding Dong Johnson]

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.

 

So they'll get the first groundball out even sooner?

Ryan "6-3" Theriot has a nice ring to it

[Derwood]

my hopes are that Pie actually hits well this year and Soto slugs well, so that we might see a lineup like this by mid-May:

 

1. Soriano

2. Pie

3. Lee

4. Fukodome

5. Ramirez

6. Soto

7. DeRosa

8. Theriot/Cedeno

[abuck1220]

i love that people concede that soriano is a better hitter than theriot, but not a better leadoff hitter.

 

lol. lol indeed.

[bring stone back]

my hopes are that Pie actually hits well this year and Soto slugs well, so that we might see a lineup like this by mid-May:

 

1. Soriano

2. Pie

3. Lee

4. Fukodome

5. Ramirez

6. Soto

7. DeRosa

8. Theriot/Cedeno

 

Do you really expect Cedeno to push Theriot for the SS job or is it just wishful thinking? We all know Theriot is a weakness on this team but he's a better player than Cedeno. Lou can't keep putting out lineups based on "upside and potential" hoping Cedeno figures it out. I don't see that happening any time soon.

[BigbadB]

my hopes are that Pie actually hits well this year and Soto slugs well, so that we might see a lineup like this by mid-May:

 

1. Soriano

2. Pie

3. Lee

4. Fukodome

5. Ramirez

6. Soto

7. DeRosa

8. Theriot/Cedeno

 

Do you really expect Cedeno to push Theriot for the SS job or is it just wishful thinking? We all know Theriot is a weakness on this team but he's a better player than Cedeno. Lou can't keep putting out lineups based on "upside and potential" hoping Cedeno figures it out. I don't see that happening any time soon.

 

All we can do is hope that Cedeno figures it out. What Theriot provides just isn't going to cut it.

[CuseCubFan69]

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.

 

So they'll get the first groundball out even sooner?

Ryan "6-3" Theriot has a nice ring to it

 

I was thinking "Client 6-3".

[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.

 

So they'll get the first groundball out even sooner?

 

I didn't say I believed it. Just trying to figure out what they're thinking.

 

Here's another one. Soriano is less likely to ground into a DP because he hits more fly balls.

 

The bright side of this is at least they won't ask the number 2 hitter to sac bunt.

[RynoRules]

This could be Uncle Lou's passive agreesive way of pushing Hendry to get Roberts or somoene else in here pronto. "See what madness will be created by your inaction, Jim!!!! Ha ha ha ha ha!!!!"

 

In fact, someone should photoshop Lou's head onto Dr. Evil's body, or vice versa.

[UBlink]

i love that people concede that soriano is a better hitter than theriot, but not a better leadoff hitter.

 

lol. lol indeed.

 

While by no means agreeing with the statement, I read it as assuming both Theriot and Soriano are in the lineup, the team would be better off if Theriot hit leadoff. Obviously it would be better if we gave Soriano 2 outs and never let Theriot near a bat but that's not an option.

 

Personally I would still hit Theriot 8th or 9th, but in context the statement isn't as ridiculous as saying on an absolute basis Theriot is better than Soriano as any type of hitter.

[David]

i love that people concede that soriano is a better hitter than theriot, but not a better leadoff hitter.

 

lol. lol indeed.

 

It's not nearly as funny as not conceding the first part, IMO. Although both are pretty bad.

[DBTman]

It's spring training. Does it really matter all that much? Trying different things at this point don't hurt at all.

[Banedon]

Steve Rosenbloom makes sense for what I think might be the first time:

 

Cubs manager Lou Piniella says Alfonso Soriano will bat second, the one spot that he seems least equipped to handle, what with the need for plate discipline and sacrifice. In fact, Aramis Ramirez is better equipped to hit second than Soriano is, if only because Ramirez doesn't strike out nearly as much.

 

If Soriano's constant leg problems mean he isn't a threat to steal bases, as the Cubs believe, then he is simply a power hitter who strikes out a lot, which sounds like he should be hitting fifth. The rumored No. 5 hitter Kosuke Fukudome, meanwhile, comes with the scouting report of being a hybrid of Ichiro Suzuki and Hideki Matsui -- you know, all the skills you'd want for a guy in the 2-hole.

 

But no.

 

Right now, manager Lou Piniella has it the other way around. Just when you thought the Cubs were done being so Cub.

[David]

All these arguments about lineup order are pretty much much ado about nothing. That said, get Theriot into the freaking bottom of the order, please.

[JGalt73]

Leaving Theriot as a leadoff guy over the 7/8th hitter spot that his hitting skills demand gives nearly 100 more PA to an offensive sinkhole.

[reds44]

my hopes are that Pie actually hits well this year and Soto slugs well, so that we might see a lineup like this by mid-May:

 

1. Soriano

2. Pie

3. Lee

4. Fukodome

5. Ramirez

6. Soto

7. DeRosa

8. Theriot/Cedeno

Could you get less guys on base for the 3-4-5 then that lineup? The only way it could be worse if it was Theriot/Pie 1-2.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

my hopes are that Pie actually hits well this year and Soto slugs well, so that we might see a lineup like this by mid-May:

 

1. Soriano

2. Pie

3. Lee

4. Fukodome

5. Ramirez

6. Soto

7. DeRosa

8. Theriot/Cedeno

Could you get less guys on base for the 3-4-5 then that lineup? The only way it could be worse if it was Theriot/Pie 1-2.

 

If Pie hits well, then he's going to be a better option to get more at bats than DeRosa or Theriot/Cedeno.

[Derwood]

my hopes are that Pie actually hits well this year and Soto slugs well, so that we might see a lineup like this by mid-May:

 

1. Soriano

2. Pie

3. Lee

4. Fukodome

5. Ramirez

6. Soto

7. DeRosa

8. Theriot/Cedeno

Could you get less guys on base for the 3-4-5 then that lineup? The only way it could be worse if it was Theriot/Pie 1-2.

 

 

TT already said it, but reread the first sentence. IF PIE ACTUALLY HITS WELL, that would be my lineup. of course i'm not going to do that lineup if he's hitting .210 again

[B]

i love that people concede that soriano is a better hitter than theriot, but not a better leadoff hitter.

 

lol. lol indeed.

 

You're blind abuck.....just like when it comes to movies.

[17 Seconds]

This lineup is going to be a nightmare.

[ottawacubbie]

Did anyone else do a double take when they saw this:

 

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/boxscore.jsp?gid=2008_03_14_anamlb_chnmlb_1

 

 

Team Chi Cubs

Lead-off Patterson, CF

 

I threw up in my mouth a little, but the simularities end there as the rest of the box score included 2 hits, a walk and a .308 average.

 

Still I have to admit it was a bit of a flash back.

[Skyballer]

All these arguments about lineup order are pretty much much ado about nothing. That said, get Theriot into the freaking bottom of the order, please.

Well if that's not an oxymoron.

 

Lineup order doesn't matter, Move Theriots spot in the lineup. Unless you mean that the arguments are pointless because it is just a test.

[VVMattVV]

All these arguments about lineup order are pretty much much ado about nothing. That said, get Theriot into the freaking bottom of the order, please.

Well if that's not an oxymoron.

 

It's not.

[17 Seconds]

MESA, Ariz. - That lineup experiment with Ryan Theriot batting leadoff and Alfonso Soriano batting second? It just may have passed the experimental stage after Cubs manager Lou Piniella used what might be his Opening Day lineup Thursday.

 

"We're going to stay in that configuration for a bit and take a good look at it," Piniella said.

 

Lou is the new Dusty.

[frostwyrm]

MESA, Ariz. - That lineup experiment with Ryan Theriot batting leadoff and Alfonso Soriano batting second? It just may have passed the experimental stage after Cubs manager Lou Piniella used what might be his Opening Day lineup Thursday.

 

"We're going to stay in that configuration for a bit and take a good look at it," Piniella said.

 

Lou is the new Dusty.

 

What is Lou's logic for this? I'm utterly baffled.