Line-Up Up and Away

by lilkimmer77 on Dec 31, 2006 1:07 PM CST

I can't help but to think about the Cubs almost every second I'm awake. Right now I'm spending some time in Argentina so this makes it kind of tough considering they live, breathe and eat (dont ask how) fútbol (soccer) here. Ultimately, I have no one to share Cubbie passion with, hence, bringing it up with all of you whenever a random thought gets generated in my fragile brain.

The leadoff spot is going to be very intriguing come fall time. Last year was obviously a no-brainer with Pierre but there are plenty of options for Piniella to tinker with. First, who knows what our middle infield is going to look like exactly come opening day but guys like Theriot are certainly viable candidates (of course you need to be starting to be in the lead-off spot). Soriano is constantly brought up but I personally think he's too much of a thumper to be wasted there. Also, no one can say his SB numbers last year were a little inflated because he was trying to make bank in the offseason (which I'm not sure, did he?).

Personally, I would like to see Murton as our #1 guy. I know, I know, he doesn't have to wheels that leadoff men generally should but, he works pitchers better then anyone else on the team. He's also a phenomenal contact hitter than can use every part of the field. His hair is red so chances of the pitcher being disturbed come first pitch are extremely high and he seems like the kind of guy that would be willing to do anything for the team to win and not come in last place in the division. Again, the issue arises of, will he be starting opening day? I certainly hope he is.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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Murton will def. play

But I don't know about leadoff. Personally, I hope he gets a look at the No. 2 slot, which I think he's greatly fitted for.

And I do think this is Murton's breakout season. It's his time.

I very excite about this upcoming season! Jenqui!

by nextyearcub on Dec 31, 2006 1:45 PM CST reply actions

It's already been settled...

HENDRY! says Soriano is leading off.
PINIELLA! says Soriano is leading off.
SORIANO! says Soriano is leading off.
GOD! says Soriano is leading off.
Even SATAN! knows Soriano is leading off, though he plans on having him beaned by his minion, Solomon Torres sometime in May.

PINIELLA!

by theprognosticator on Dec 31, 2006 2:31 PM CST reply actions

Hmmmm

A) Why would Hendry, at any point during this offseason, be talking about where anyone is playing. His job is to get the players, not fit them in places. B) Why would Soriano be talking about where he's playing, isn't that a little pompous. C) Has God said how the team's gonna be this year? I'm not calling you a liar (and I don't mind Soriano leading off) but I find it hard to believe all these everyone is already settled on him being #1. Isn't this what spring training is for, to fit the pieces together?

by lilkimmer77 on Dec 31, 2006 2:47 PM CST up reply actions

Sorry

Lack of sleep last night has led to writing sentences (second to last) that don't even make sense.

by lilkimmer77 on Dec 31, 2006 2:48 PM CST up reply actions

Here you go:

http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/team/player.jsp?player_id=150093

Click on the link to the Soriano Press Conference.

Listen carefully to the part where Hendry says this:

"...without further ado, OUR NEW LEADOFF HITTER, Alfonso Soriano..."

Here's one with Piniella:

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2668465

Another with Piniella:

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061206&content_id=1752802&vkey news_chc&fext.jsp&c_id=chc

I grow weary of doing your research for you, but there are articles where Soriano says that's where he wants to hit as he's the most comfortable there.

As far as God and Satan are concerned, you'll just have to take my word for it.

Soriano is leading off.

PINIELLA!

by theprognosticator on Dec 31, 2006 3:08 PM CST up reply actions

Great

I appreciate the 'research', but the point of this diary was to bring to discussion who we think is the best man for the job. I still don't think Soriano is. First-pitch (looking fastball) hitter, strikes out too much, can drive in runs like a champ and there are better options (so I think).

Playing around with line-ups has got to be fun, especially when you have weapons like Lee, Ramirez, Soriano, Jones, Barrett, etc. Even if Soriano is leading off on opening day I still think ultimately things are going to be different come tinkering time.

by lilkimmer77 on Dec 31, 2006 3:21 PM CST reply actions

Soriano plays his best ball as a leadoff hitter...

...hitting in the 3-4-5 slots his production hasn't been nearly as strong.

.294/.368/.588 as a leadoff man last year. Highest OPS amongst leadoff men. 1st in SLG, 7th in OBP. 9th in BA. Meanwhile our traditional leadoff guy, Juan Pierre, finished 18th in OPS, 18th in SLG, 19th in OBP.

And I don't know why you put the research in quotes. It was an irrefutable answer from those who make Cub decisions to your question and your point that you weren't aware that the leadoff question had been answered. It had and has been answered. And your diary was written with the obvious implication that the leadoff question hadn't been answered and which was clear by your response to my first comment.

So don't go about trying to pretend as though this is merely a speculative diary and that you already knew the answer. You didn't.

And by the way, Theriot won't be starting at second either DeRosa will be. Or were you talking hypothetically again?

PINIELLA!

by theprognosticator on Dec 31, 2006 3:45 PM CST up reply actions