Lou says "Fukudome batting 3rd" and Soriano will lead off.

by TheBeerBaron on Feb 22, 2008 9:47 AM CST

According to Lou on Mike North's Morning Show on 670 WSCR AM, Lou states his lineup will look as following....

Soriano
Theriot
Fukudome
Lee
Ramirez
DeRosa
Soto
CF

He also said that unless there is someone else added to the team, Soriano will lead off.

Poll

Who should hit #3?

Fukudome

67 votes

Lee

89 votes

Ramirez

7 votes

Soriano

15 votes

178 votes | Poll has closed

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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Comments

He also said

If Sorianos leg isnt healthy he wont lead off.

"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry "I strongly dislike Steve Stone." ---Hammer

by Hammer on Feb 22, 2008 9:45 AM CST reply actions

I'd think...

... it's way too early to decide this, wouldn't you? Did Lou say this was decided? Or that it MIGHT be this way?

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Feb 22, 2008 9:50 AM CST reply actions

He wasnt

using and definitive words.

"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry "I strongly dislike Steve Stone." ---Hammer

by Hammer on Feb 22, 2008 9:52 AM CST up reply actions

I'll go out on a limb

and say this lineup (as of today) will not be one you see much of during the season.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Feb 22, 2008 9:51 AM CST reply actions

Likely not..

Lou did change the starting lineup about 8,029 times last season. I found that stat shocking since the CUBS only played 165 games (including playoffs.)

Super Mario Galaxy! Get it NOW!

by TheBeerBaron on Feb 22, 2008 9:54 AM CST up reply actions

Piniella Reiterated Several Times...

... that he was toying with the idea , and that Spring Training will sort this all out.

Jacque Jones is gone and I doubt Ivan DeJesus would mind this!

by initram on Feb 22, 2008 10:02 AM CST reply actions

Also, There's a Thread Here...

... that talks about this very topic.

http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/story/2008/2/21/212954/467

Jacque Jones is gone and I doubt Ivan DeJesus would mind this!

by initram on Feb 22, 2008 10:06 AM CST reply actions

I'm in the minority...I agree with Sweet Lou

As stated in the other thread on the same subject I am in agreement with Piniella on the top 5. Seems like I'm the only one. The key is Ryan Theriot getting the job done. Sweet Lou likes Theriot a great deal.

Of course, there IS another option...and that is Sam Fuld winning the CF job and being the # 2 hitter instead, with Theriot falling into the #7 or #8 hole.

by MDBNIU on Feb 22, 2008 10:51 AM CST reply actions

Why?

While I do think speed at the top of the lineup is important, Sam Fuld hasn't proven that he can hit at the Major League level. Until he does, he should bat 7th or 8th. Placing him second in the lineup would be bad for him (add a lot of stress to him) and the Cubs (early automatic out).

by Rev Gunia on Feb 22, 2008 11:38 AM CST up reply actions

Where does Roberts hit?

Oh, never mind.

by Richie Hebner 18 on Feb 22, 2008 11:33 AM CST reply actions

Roberts? What???

Robert's might come to the Cubs? WHAT!

by digitalbenjamin on Feb 22, 2008 2:42 PM CST up reply actions

Who?

n/t

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Feb 22, 2008 6:22 PM CST up reply actions

Oral Roberts

"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07

by gary varsho on Feb 22, 2008 6:47 PM CST up reply actions

John Roberts?

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Feb 22, 2008 6:50 PM CST up reply actions

He is a left-handed bat...

"Good pitching will always stop good hitting and vice-versa." -Casey Stengel

by cubbybear on Feb 22, 2008 10:19 PM CST up reply actions

I see him

more as a bench player.

Dunn, Duncan, Lee, Bay, and now Braun... I hope the Cubs are practicing hitting to LF!

by DGU on Feb 23, 2008 5:00 PM CST up reply actions

Didnt miss that....and you deserve this..

..HEYYYYYOOOOOOOOOO

"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry "I strongly dislike Steve Stone." ---Hammer

by Hammer on Feb 24, 2008 1:45 AM CST up reply actions

Probably the only thing about him that's 'left'

n/t

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Feb 24, 2008 2:42 PM CST up reply actions

Maybe

Mark Roberts

"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07

by gary varsho on Feb 22, 2008 7:43 PM CST up reply actions

BTW,

due to World's Most Famous Streaker-related material, that link is mildly NSFW

"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07

by gary varsho on Feb 22, 2008 7:44 PM CST up reply actions

Still too early to say....

...what the lineup will actually be, but why toy with Theriot as no. 2? Is this like American Idol where we prolong the agony before telling the contestant that they didn't make it? Even Theriot knows he has no business being no. 2 for 162 games. You can't sign a guy like Fukudome and even play with the notion that he'll bat 5th, that's just Dustypid. How about Lee 2, Fuku 3 and Aramis 4. Quit giving away outs by batting lesser talent higher up.

by DudeVf11 on Feb 22, 2008 11:44 AM CST reply actions

Actually...

i should have gone with that. I like Lee in the 2 hole with the way he batted last year. Theriot would be pretty productive lower in the order.

MMMMM...Nutrisystem!

by Kinky Reggae on Feb 22, 2008 12:04 PM CST up reply actions

But bets are...

That Lee won't hit like he did last year, and that he will return with more power. In which case having him in the 2 hole doesn't maximize his impact.

by digitalbenjamin on Feb 22, 2008 2:44 PM CST up reply actions

Especially with No-Walk Fonso in front of him.

Lee will always get good pitches, he should protect guys who can't get them. Like free-swinging Aramis.

My ideal lineup:
Fonso(not going to imagine this isn't a lock)
Fukudome
Ramirez
Lee
DeRosa
Soto
Theriot
CF

"Good pitching will always stop good hitting and vice-versa." -Casey Stengel

by cubbybear on Feb 22, 2008 10:22 PM CST up reply actions

Lee needs to be in front of A-Ram

I don't care if Lee is batting 3rd or 4th, it's just important that he bats in front of Ramirez. Because Lee gets on base better then anyone on our team. Lou is doing this because he could now have two 370-400 OBP guys with Fukudome and Lee in front of Aramis Ramirez.(our best RBI guy) The one spot I'm worried about with Lou current line-up is Theriot in the number two spot. With Soriano probably only being a 340-350 OBP(at best)guy batting leadoff it's important we have another good OBP in the number two spot. Thats why I think DeRosa should bat second in front of Fukudome, Lee and Ramirez. I know Lou probably wants a good RBI guy and a guy who hits well with runners scoring postion batting six and DeRosa does that. But I think the top of the order is a little more important then the six spot. If Theriot is gonna hit second he has to at least get his OBP 30 points higher then were it finshed last night. So unless Theriot is much better OBP wise next year, lets hope Soto shows he's a good big league hitter. So we can move DeRosa to the number two spot, if Theriot doesn't improve alot.

I'm ok with these one of these line-ups

Soriano
DeRosa
Fukudome
Lee
Ramirez
Soto
Pie
Theriot

Soriano
DeRosa
Lee
Ramirez
Fukudome
Soto
Pie
Theriot

But we need at least one 350 plus guy batting 1 or 2, not a 330s and 340s guy batting at the top. But it's also very important we have a combo of Lee, Ramirez and Fukudome 3-5. Thats because we have gotten horrible production from our 5th hitter over the last three seasons. It's really been a huge problem nobody has talked about. The Cubs have gotten some of the worst OPS, SLG and RBI prediction from our number 5 hitter over the last three years. With Lee/ Ramirez hitting like they have recently we have gotten much better numbers from our number five hitter. We have left a ton of Runs on base over the last three years, with our number five hitter being so weak.

by cubsfan25 on Feb 23, 2008 1:12 AM CST up reply actions

Ramirez is not a free swinger

He actually doesn't strike out much at all.

"Harlem Furniture......You'll like our style!"

by Imtrejo on Feb 24, 2008 2:37 AM CST up reply actions

You're Right

In fact, Lee strikes out a great deal more. Thanks for correcting me. Thus, my batting order flips:

Soriano
Fuku
Lee
Ram
Zambrano
DeRosa
Soto
CF
Theriot

Oh wait, this isn't the American League. If it was, I say DH=Zambrano :P

"Good pitching will always stop good hitting and vice-versa." -Casey Stengel

by cubbybear on Feb 24, 2008 2:43 AM CST up reply actions

Ramirez is actually

a more aggressive hitter than Lee, but his great hands allow him to adjust to pitches and swing and miss less.

This is why Ramirez is a better RBI man, he puts the ball in play more than Lee.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Feb 24, 2008 11:07 AM CST up reply actions

i really

think its important to not bat Pie 8th if he is our man in CF. With a pitcher behind him opposing pitchers could throw breaking pitch after breaking pitch and for now Pie is going to need to see some fastballs to hit and gain some confidence

"Just say Smith or Jones again, it dont matter, none of this matters"

by ksucubbie on Feb 22, 2008 12:02 PM CST reply actions

Is it crazy...

to bat Pie in the 2 hole? Something like this:

Soriano
Pie
Fuku
Lee
ARam
DeRo
Soto
The Riot

I know Pie isn't an OBP machine, but neither is The Riot. And I can't imagine a scenario where Pie would see more fastballs than hitting ahead of the Fuku/Lee/ARam trio. Obviously though, if Pie isn't getting it done, Lou won't be able to keep him up there for long being an automatic out. Just a thought, not something I necessarily want.

In Bo I trust.

by Schwa on Feb 22, 2008 12:29 PM CST reply actions

re: Is it crazy...

It's a little crazy, yeah. That's too much pressure to put on Pie in his first full season as a starter.

Oh, and for those of you who missed it, the interview with Lou that inspired this diary is currently posted on The Score's homepage.

Ladies and gentlemen, your 2008 Chicago Cubs starting outfield: Soriano-Pie-Fukudome. Let it be.

by daver on Feb 22, 2008 12:39 PM CST up reply actions

For starters...

You know have put your only 2 lefties back to back right?

Second, Pie is possibly the least patient hitter on the team, and i say possibly because Soriano is in a tough competition with him for that role. Typically your number 2 hitter is one that hits for ALOT of contact and has ALOT of patience. Pie really has never displayed the ability to do either yet.

"I love this world. I hope hell is as much fun!"

by HIGGY on Feb 22, 2008 12:42 PM CST up reply actions

Doh!

Knew I forgot something. Meant to have DLee 3rd and Fuku 4th to break them up. And like I said, this isn't something I really want to see, just curious what people thought of it. Obviously having Sori/Pie back to back would lead off too many innings with none on and 2 outs for the heart of the order. I'm just afraid that if Pie is at the bottom of the order he won't see any good pitches to hit, especially if he bats 8th.

In Bo I trust.

by Schwa on Feb 22, 2008 12:54 PM CST up reply actions

Personally, I'd rather see

Fukudome breaking up Lee and Ramirez rather than the lineup the way it looks here. It seems to me that would be the hardest scenario for an opposing manager to deal with in late-inning pitching changes.

I also agree that Pie shouldn't bat 8th. I'd like to see someone in between Pie and the pitcher so he'll see better pitches.

by JDay on Feb 22, 2008 12:56 PM CST reply actions

I say just take the leap

and put Fuku in the 2 hole...IMO, for #2 hitters, it's as much about the proper "mindset" (contact, moving the runner, taking pitches, etc.) as anything else.

Whether he's a better hitter than Theriot right now is negligable IMO; if he is in fact an inferior hitter (which I doubt) he'll make-up for it in other key areas like patience, walks, etc.

Contrary to the US, I hear that fundamentals are still talked about from time to time in the Far East. With Fuku being from the Far East, this bodes well for us if he hits from the #2 hole...

by Shawon12 on Feb 22, 2008 1:22 PM CST up reply actions

here

is the reason i love being a "stathead" because with information we can disprove popular notions like Ryan Theriot being patient

The Fact is that Theriot SAW LESS PITCHES PER PLATE APPERANCE THAN ANY OTHER STARTER LAST YEAR!

And thats on a team that was and has been Hackstastic for years now. So no, putting a scrappy .320 ish OBP who looks at less pitches than any other Cub in the 2 spot is not a good idea.

"Just say Smith or Jones again, it dont matter, none of this matters"

by ksucubbie on Feb 22, 2008 1:52 PM CST up reply actions

Your wasting your breath...

There are always going to be the fans that say..

"I reject your reality and substitute my own."

Here in San Diego all a player has to do is show alot of "hustle" and be "gritty", which means just get your uniform really dirty all the time, and most of the fans will love you like the next coming of Tony Gwynn.

Some recent examples...

Chris Gomez
Mark Sweeney
Eric Owens
Damian Jackson
Bubba Trammell

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Feb 22, 2008 2:07 PM CST up reply actions

True, however

Madres fans aren't exactly the most savvy people in the world. They are forced to take what they can get due to the fact that the owner won't spend the money to actually compete.

If you want an example, take a look at the absolute joke of an outfield they're throwing out there this year. They have the best pitching in the NL and will probably be lucky to finish 3rd in the West.

And I'm going to enjoy watching them suffer!

by Kornchex on Feb 22, 2008 4:24 PM CST up reply actions

yadda, yadda, yadda

n/t

by blackhawk24 on Feb 22, 2008 4:39 PM CST reply actions

Wakka Wakka Wakka

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Feb 22, 2008 5:02 PM CST up reply actions

blog, blog, blog...

n/t

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Feb 24, 2008 2:43 PM CST up reply actions

well...

speed at the top of the lineup is fine if you can get on base!!i personally would switch derosa and the-riot in the lineup since derosa is a better hitter!!

by cubz409 on Feb 22, 2008 6:01 PM CST reply actions

pie

i,d like to see soriano work with the kid and help him out.hmmmmmmm.

by NOMAR on Feb 23, 2008 4:58 AM CST reply actions

So Pie can learn how to strike out even more?

And refuse to take a walk while swinging at pitches out of the zone all day?

I would imagine the conversation would go something like this...

[In Spanish of course]

"Felix, remember.....baseball is about one thing and one thing only.....how many home runs you can hit. Also, the longer you admire your home run after your swing, the more it will help your team win."

Super Mario Galaxy! Get it NOW!

by TheBeerBaron on Feb 23, 2008 10:32 AM CST up reply actions

Is Adam Dunn or Ryan Howard busy?

"Good pitching will always stop good hitting and vice-versa." -Casey Stengel

by cubbybear on Feb 23, 2008 3:59 PM CST up reply actions

Want your left-handed hitter batting with

men on base so that you open the hole on the right-side. In theory, Fukudome should bat 3rd. On the other hand, if Theriot and Soriano batting 1-2, you won't have anyone on first when he bats, so you might as well have him bat 5th.

Dunn, Duncan, Lee, Bay, and now Braun... I hope the Cubs are practicing hitting to LF!

by DGU on Feb 23, 2008 5:05 PM CST reply actions