[bears9]

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- If the Cubs win their first National League pennant since Lou Piniella was a toddler, one of the big difference makers might be the decision this week to move Alfonso Soriano out of the leadoff spot.

With Soriano unable to overcome his mental block about running hard on the right quadriceps he tore last August, Piniella said Wednesday he has decided to remove that pressure altogether by putting Soriano in the No. 2 spot and giving it a long enough look to determine whether he can thrive there as the season opens.

The most important part of the move might be that it was made with more than two weeks left in spring training. That gives Soriano time to adjust rather than scramble if the Cubs acquire leadoff hitter Brian Roberts from Baltimore, as many in the organization still feel is inevitable despite the would-be deal being in a holding pattern for four months.

Soriano to try No. 2 spot :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Cubs

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Why on earth bat him second? He has the power of a 3 or 4 and the speed of a lead-off hitter...why put him in a spot he can't run from or drive in runs?

[bears9]

Originally Posted by Gotham Dark Knight

Why on earth bat him second? He has the power of a 3 or 4 and the speed of a lead-off hitter...why put him in a spot he can't run from or drive in runs?

I hate to break it to you Goth, but the 3-5 spots are locked up with Lee, Ramirez, and Fukudome. I like the idea of Soriano batting number 2

[Bryan88]

Originally Posted by bears9

I hate to break it to you Goth, but the 3-5 spots are locked up with Lee, Ramirez, and Fukudome. I like the idea of Soriano batting number 2

Actually I would have loved to switch Soriano and Fukudome in the lineup. Their skills would have been best utilized with Fukudome's patience and smart approach at the 2 ahead of the run producers and Soriano's bat would be best used at 5 to drive in runners since he is a bit more of a free swinger.

[bears9]

The Soriano thing worked out so well, after one day Lou moved him back to the lead off sport. After seeing this team for a week, I would bat Fukudome second, with Theriot leading off. The Soriano, Lee, and Ramirez in that order.

[cwstech]

Originally Posted by bears9

The Soriano thing worked out so well, after one day Lou moved him back to the lead off sport. After seeing this team for a week, I would bat Fukudome second, with Theriot leading off. The Soriano, Lee, and Ramirez in that order.

I agree with you on that one Bears. But you know as well as I do that Lou will play with the lineup all year long. And as long as we are winning, I don't care...LOL!!!

[theduck]

its really about setting up for the other guys in the lineup. lou knows that soriano is going to produce himself, so he is trying to figure out the best spot to put him so that the others hitters have him in scoring position while they are at the plate.

[Bryan88]

Originally Posted by bears9

The Soriano thing worked out so well, after one day Lou moved him back to the lead off sport. After seeing this team for a week, I would bat Fukudome second, with Theriot leading off. The Soriano, Lee, and Ramirez in that order.

Honestly, I want Theriot and his .326 OBP no where near the leadoff spot. He belongs near the bottom of the lineup, hitting 8th would be ideal (bench even better). With Riot leading off you are giving your weakest hitter more at bats of the course of the season than any other hitter. I guess the ideal way would be something like;

1.Derosa
2.Fuku
3.Lee
4.Aram
5.Soriano
6.Soto
7.Pie/Theriot
8.Theriot/Pie
9.Pitcher

People seem to think you need speed at the top of the lineup and that just isn't true, you need guys who get on-base in front of the run producers. Now I am not saying speed is a bad thing, but compare Theriot and his speedy .326 OBP (.286 this year) vs Derosa and his slow .371 OBP (.414 this year) and is pretty clear that Derosa is going to give Lee, Aram, Soriano many more opportunities to get an RBI.

[Bryan88]

Originally Posted by theduck

its really about setting up for the other guys in the lineup. lou knows that soriano is going to produce himself, so he is trying to figure out the best spot to put him so that the others hitters have him in scoring position while they are at the plate.

I think the exact opposite way, Soriano has big time power (.560 SLG) and a borderline approach at the plate (.337 OBP). That translates to a player who is a better run producer than table setter, thus he should be the one driving home runners, not the one trying to score for the 3,4,5 hitters. I think statistically he is the ideal #5 hitter, he has big power and his lack of OBP is masked. Someone said that they would like to hit him third, problem with that is OBP is still a vital stat for the #3 hitter. While yes a #3 hitter is a run producer, you also want him to keep an inning alive by getting on-base and getting another run-producer a chance. DLee is the prototype for what a #3 hitter should be.

[theduck]

Originally Posted by Bryan88

I think the exact opposite way, Soriano has big time power (.560 SLG) and a borderline approach at the plate (.337 OBP). That translates to a player who is a better run producer than table setter, thus he should be the one driving home runners, not the one trying to score for the 3,4,5 hitters. I think statistically he is the ideal #5 hitter, he has big power and his lack of OBP is masked. Someone said that they would like to hit him third, problem with that is OBP is still a vital stat for the #3 hitter. While yes a #3 hitter is a run producer, you also want him to keep an inning alive by getting on-base and getting another run-producer a chance. DLee is the prototype for what a #3 hitter should be.

yes i agree with you. but what i was trying to say is that soriano is going to produce regardless of where he bats in the lineup. so, pinella is trying to find the place to put him so that their lineup produces more runs.

[bears9]

What about having Reed Johnson leadoff, he's been great at the plate, far better than Pie. I would give Reed a shot.

[legend]

Johnson makes more sense than anyone.

[Bryan88]

Originally Posted by theduck

yes i agree with you. but what i was trying to say is that soriano is going to produce regardless of where he bats in the lineup. so, pinella is trying to find the place to put him so that their lineup produces more runs.

Well Lou needs to figure out that Soriano's stat line is most effective batting 5th then... I'm not holding my breath however.
As for the Johnson thing, I don't know enough about his history to form an opinion about him leading off. If he can produce his 2006 line then I would love to have him hitting 1st, however his 2004, 05 & 06 lines really scare me.