Lou says "no more Hoff in RF"

[UMFan83]

I love how we are counting on Bradley so little that Lou has to already create in his mind a special "Milton is hurt" lineup. Good times.

[Andy]

I love how we are counting on Bradley so little that Lou has to already create in his mind a special "Milton is hurt" lineup. Good times.

And since we can't bench the completely worthless Derrek Lee for no good reason, Hoff now has no position in that or any other lineup. This team's pissing me off already.

[Colin Wyers]

Because of the need to play defense as well as hit, Reed Johnson is a better baseball player than Micah Hoffpauir. And this would be true even if we were in the DH league.

 

(And Derrek Lee? From all available evidence, still a better baseball player than Micah Hoffpauir.)

[cubswin2009]

(And Derrek Lee? From all available evidence, still a better baseball player than Micah Hoffpauir.)

I'm not so sure about that anymore. Derrek Lee is borderline useless. He still is a solid defensive first basemen but he can't hit at all anymore.

[Colin Wyers]

(And Derrek Lee? From all available evidence, still a better baseball player than Micah Hoffpauir.)

I'm not so sure about that anymore. Derrek Lee is borderline useless. He still is a solid defensive first basemen but he can't hit at all anymore.

 

Cubs leaderboard by OPS, at this date last season:

 

Name		PA	OPS
Lee, Derrek	100	1.130
Soto, Geovany	82	1.069
Ramirez, Aramis	98	0.996
Cedeno,	Ronny	37	0.995
Fukudome, Kosuke	91	0.986
DeRosa,	Mark	87	0.877
Theriot,	Ryan	83	0.871
Blanco, Henry	16	0.795
Johnson, Reed	71	0.755
Ward, Daryle	19	0.676
Fontenot, Mike	36	0.575
Pie, Felix		37	0.529
Soriano, Alfonso	61	0.528
Murton, Matt	10	0.200
Patterson, Eric	6	0.000

 

It bears SOME resembalence to the end-of-year leaderboards, of course. But last year around this time, everyone was freaking out over Soriano. He ended up the season with typical Soriano-like numbers.

 

It's way too early for people to be jumping to conclusions like that.

[Andy]

That's disingenuous. Since the end of last May, Derrek Lee has been utterly worthless offensively. There is no explanation why he started off so well last year and ended up what he has been for the last 11 months or so, but it is what happened.

[CubbieBum]

(And Derrek Lee? From all available evidence, still a better baseball player than Micah Hoffpauir.)

I'm not so sure about that anymore. Derrek Lee is borderline useless. He still is a solid defensive first basemen but he can't hit at all anymore.

 

Cubs leaderboard by OPS, at this date last season:

 

Name		PA	OPS
Lee, Derrek	100	1.130
Soto, Geovany	82	1.069
Ramirez, Aramis	98	0.996
Cedeno,	Ronny	37	0.995
Fukudome, Kosuke	91	0.986
DeRosa,	Mark	87	0.877
Theriot,	Ryan	83	0.871
Blanco, Henry	16	0.795
Johnson, Reed	71	0.755
Ward, Daryle	19	0.676
Fontenot, Mike	36	0.575
Pie, Felix		37	0.529
Soriano, Alfonso	61	0.528
Murton, Matt	10	0.200
Patterson, Eric	6	0.000

 

It bears SOME resembalence to the end-of-year leaderboards, of course. But last year around this time, everyone was freaking out over Soriano. He ended up the season with typical Soriano-like numbers.

 

It's way too early for people to be jumping to conclusions like that.

 

Lee hasn't had a month with a .800+ OPS since the first month last year. That's a span of 141 games and full calendar year. Lee is simply no longer a good offensive first baseman. He is however still a good defensive first baseman which is why I think he is still starting every game.

[Tracer Bullet]

Because of the need to play defense as well as hit, Reed Johnson is a better baseball player than Micah Hoffpauir. And this would be true even if we were in the DH league.

 

(And Derrek Lee? From all available evidence, still a better baseball player than Micah Hoffpauir.)

 

Honest (but maybe dumb) question, are you saying Reed's defense is so great (and/or Micah's so bad) that even if Micah could DH, Reed would be still more valuable overall? And what offensive numbers are you using for each guy to make that comparison?

[Little Slide Rooter]

It seems like Lou likes to tinker with every part of the lineup aside from the parts that need to be. Getting Soriano into the heart of the order and getting Lee out of the heart.

[biittner77]

The Cubs suck 8-154. How'd they ever win 8? It's a miracle.

[Little Slide Rooter]

The Cubs suck 8-154. How'd they ever win 8? It's a miracle.

 

I dont know about the rest of you, but Im pretty psyched about getting Steven Strasburg.

[rynefan]

I love how we are counting on Bradley so little that Lou has to already create in his mind a special "Milton is hurt" lineup. Good times.

And since we can't bench the completely worthless Derrek Lee for no good reason, Hoff now has no position in that or any other lineup. This team's pissing me off already.

 

Of all the things that are pissing me off about this team right now, today, at least, this is what pisses me off the most.

[Little Slide Rooter]

I really dont think that our offense sucks, as I doubt anyone here does even though they might be saying that now. However, it is not being used to its maximum potential.

 

Ryan Theriot is a singles a doubles guy who takes walks. he has a lot to learm when it comes to base running, but still. he should be at leadoff.

Kosuke can hit for contact and power and take a walk as well. Theres your number 2

Soriano is the best pure hitter on the team, number 3

Aramis is the RBI machine. thats traditionally cleanup

Reed Johnson and Milton Bradley are both solid hitters, number 5 type guys

D Lee is in a funk. hes not hitting. Im sure he'll pick up, but his best years are behind him. A lot of managers would love to have him in the 6 spot.

Soto and Fontenot are 2 guys we were counting on, but have given us squat. they're the 7 and 8 guys. Hopefully they'll start hitting. When they do, and everyone picks up, we'll be the best all around offense in the division, one of the best in the game. We may not have a Pujols or a Man Ram, but if all our guys can do what they did last year, we'l be solid 1-8 with no easy outs.

[Soul]

I really dont think that our offense sucks, as I doubt anyone here does even though they might be saying that now. However, it is not being used to its maximum potential.

 

Ryan Theriot is a singles a doubles guy who takes walks. he has a lot to learm when it comes to base running, but still. he should be at leadoff.

Kosuke can hit for contact and power and take a walk as well. Theres your number 2

Soriano is the best pure hitter on the team, number 3

Aramis is the RBI machine. thats traditionally cleanup

Reed Johnson and Milton Bradley are both solid hitters, number 5 type guys

D Lee is in a funk. hes not hitting. Im sure he'll pick up, but his best years are behind him. A lot of managers would love to have him in the 6 spot.

Soto and Fontenot are 2 guys we were counting on, but have given us squat. they're the 7 and 8 guys. Hopefully they'll start hitting. When they do, and everyone picks up, we'll be the best all around offense in the division, one of the best in the game. We may not have a Pujols or a Man Ram, but if all our guys can do what they did last year, we'l be solid 1-8 with no easy outs.

 

Let's see if Lou puts up with his current lack of production much longer. If not, then I wonder if something more drastic like Theriot/leadoff & Soriano/3rd would become an option.

 

I'm for moving Lee down. I don't see what the big deal has been, and don't see what it is now.

[Little Slide Rooter]

I really dont think that our offense sucks, as I doubt anyone here does even though they might be saying that now. However, it is not being used to its maximum potential.

 

Ryan Theriot is a singles a doubles guy who takes walks. he has a lot to learm when it comes to base running, but still. he should be at leadoff.

Kosuke can hit for contact and power and take a walk as well. Theres your number 2

Soriano is the best pure hitter on the team, number 3

Aramis is the RBI machine. thats traditionally cleanup

Reed Johnson and Milton Bradley are both solid hitters, number 5 type guys

D Lee is in a funk. hes not hitting. Im sure he'll pick up, but his best years are behind him. A lot of managers would love to have him in the 6 spot.

Soto and Fontenot are 2 guys we were counting on, but have given us squat. they're the 7 and 8 guys. Hopefully they'll start hitting. When they do, and everyone picks up, we'll be the best all around offense in the division, one of the best in the game. We may not have a Pujols or a Man Ram, but if all our guys can do what they did last year, we'l be solid 1-8 with no easy outs.

 

Let's see if Lou puts up with his current lack of production much longer. If not, then I wonder if something more drastic like Theriot/leadoff & Soriano/3rd would become an option.

 

I'm for moving Lee down. I don't see what the big deal has been, and don't see what it is now.

 

Its not even the lack of production that bothers me. every team goes through this a few times per season. they'll pick it up. Its just the fact that Lou isnt maximizing his resources. For a guy with a reputation of being a hard nosed manager, he sure gives his players a lot of leeway, especially when it coems to the vets. Lee has no business in the 3 spot where your best hitter should be. Soriano is capable of 100+ RBI and should be in an RBI spot. I know everyone loves when he takes the first pitch out of the park, but Id rather a few guys be on base for him. Even if everyone one the team was prodicing, wed score more runs if the lineup were stacked that way.

[biittner77]

As fas the lineup goes, if everyone is healthy, Lee is still starting most games at 1st and moving Soriano out of the leadoff position (in the batting order) is a priority, I'd consider this to be the best lineup:

 

Fukudome

Soriano

Bradley

Ramirez

Soto

Fontenot

Lee

Theriot

 

swapping Lee and Soto makes sense too. Move Lee to #2, Soriano to 5 and Soto to 7 is also ok.

 

When Bradley is not healthy Hoffpauir has to play.

[SouthSideRyan]

Why are moving Soriano from leadoff?

[jersey cubs fan]

As fas the lineup goes, if everyone is healthy, Lee is still starting most games at 1st and moving Soriano out of the leadoff position (in the batting order) is a priority, I'd consider this to be the best lineup:

 

Fukudome

Soriano

 

If moving Soriano out of leadoff is a priority, why do you move him to 2nd?

[Little Slide Rooter]

Why are moving Soriano from leadoff?

 

Beacuase all and all, hes the best hitter on the team and is capable of producing a lot more runs down the lineup.

[FearTheBako]

Why are moving Soriano from leadoff?

 

Beacuase all and all, hes the best hitter on the team and is capable of producing a lot more runs down the lineup.

 

While I agree Sori should be moved down in the order, I think its pretty obvious ARam is our best overall hitter.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Why are moving Soriano from leadoff?

 

Beacuase all and all, hes the best hitter on the team and is capable of producing a lot more runs down the lineup.

 

While I agree Sori should be moved down in the order, I think its pretty obvious ARam is our best overall hitter.

 

Soriano and Ramirez would be a feared 3-4 combo.

[Soul]

Why are moving Soriano from leadoff?

 

Beacuase all and all, hes the best hitter on the team and is capable of producing a lot more runs down the lineup.

 

While I agree Sori should be moved down in the order, I think its pretty obvious ARam is our best overall hitter.

 

Put ARam 3 then. Just move Lee down a bit.

[jersey cubs fan]

Did he say anything about no more dumbass baserunning creating outs on the bases?

[Banedon]

Moving Soriano down in the lineup is the most overhyped "problem" this team has. There's about a billionty other things that need fixing before that.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Moving Soriano down in the lineup is the most overhyped "problem" this team has. There's about a billionty other things that need fixing before that.

 

Soriano is a perfectly capabale leadoff hitter, nobodys denying that. However, lack of production at the heart of the lineup is a big problem, and if moving Soriano to the center of the lineup could potentially fix that problem. With guys like Fontenot, Soto, Bradley and Lee, they'll just have to work themselves out of their little funks, and theres nothing Lou can do to fix that, but if he can add a productive power bat where its needed most, that should be at the top of your to do list.