jjgman; it is not about the Cubs "bending over backwards and let the player control the decisions" it's about comfort. Here is his stats for Soriano at each spot of the lineup since 2004: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/splits?statsId=6154&type=batting3 If you can read it as I can, it clearly shows Soriano is MORE comfortable hitting leadoff then any other spot in the lineup. So it's not that the Cubs are "bending over" to Soriano, it just that they know a HAPPY Soriano in a LEADOFF spot, is a more productive and a better player then Soriano is any other lineup spot. Now, if Soriano sturggles, I could see the Cubs moving Soriano to the #3 spot in front of Lee and Ramirez, to get him going, again, but again...Soriano is the leadoff hitter,and NOT because they promised him, the stats show he is better in the leadoff hitters spot.