WHO WILL BE OUR LEAD OFF MAN
by ualriv on Jan 18, 2009 1:51 PM CST
66 comments
As jim hendry stock piles are farm system with more pitching and i doubt he wants to loose a frist round pick on a 1yr deal aka 2b hudson or trade five guys for one like he might be doning to aquire mr peavy he has a surrplus of talent on his roster doese anybody think theriot can lead off or do we go with sori again i wouldnt mind hudson i think he is the best free agent that would fit our team.
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.
0 recs |
66 comments
Email
Print
Comments
Choices are two
A. Alfonso Soriano – who Lou continues to endorse as leadoff man
B. Aaron Miles – who I will not be surprised to be the near everyday leadoff hitter in 2009
by BLou on Jan 18, 2009 1:59 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I will be surprised to see Miles get more than 200 AB.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Jan 18, 2009 2:06 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Totally agree
It seems like everyone is really high on Fontenot, and with good reason. No chance Miles leads off this year. I like Miles, but he’ll probably be doing a lot of moving around between second and short with Theriot and Fontenot getting the majority of pt.
by Juiceboxjerry on Jan 18, 2009 2:09 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Respectfully disagree
While I like Mike Fontenot, I think we are going to see him get no more at bats than he accumulated in 2009. What people fail to take into account is that Fontenot was selectively and smartly used by Piniella in 2008. I’m not sure it is wise to expose him beyond that type of usage.
by BLou on Jan 18, 2009 2:10 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I don't get that logic
How can anyone be so sure either way until he actually gets the at bats? You can talk about his size or his splits or whatever you want, but until he proves it one way or another I don’t think anyone has a clue of what the results will be
by Juiceboxjerry on Jan 18, 2009 2:13 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
BLou is ALWAYS sure he's right...
until he’s proven wrong. But there’s never any wiggle room.
by SouthernCub on Jan 18, 2009 3:39 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
And that would mean that Miles would get...
… about 200 AB.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Jan 18, 2009 2:18 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Hendry seemed to imply at the Meet Cubs Management talk
…that Fontenot would be the starter.
by Wreckard on Jan 18, 2009 6:43 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
You think Piniella is dumb enough to bat Miles leadoff?
by SouthernCub on Jan 18, 2009 3:38 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I didn't say I advocate Aaron Miles batting leadoff or playing the majority of 2nd base time
I’m just saying I think both things may happen.
by BLou on Jan 18, 2009 3:56 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I didn't say you advocated it...
I asked if you thought Piniella would be foolish enough to do that.
It would come in direct conflict with your feeling that Piniella is excellent at evaluating players abilities (one that I agree with for the most part). Batting Miles leadoff would be a bad move – I think we can agree on that.
by SouthernCub on Jan 18, 2009 4:00 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Brian Roberts
LOL
"You can't take life to seriously, you don't get out of it alive"
by wild bill on Jan 18, 2009 2:03 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
yes please
I haz blurg: hotbeans.wordpress.com
by digitalbenjamin on Jan 18, 2009 2:17 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Spellcheck is your friend.
I fixed the mistake in the title.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Jan 18, 2009 2:05 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I would love to know the mistake in the title.....
Goodness gracious….too many beers on this Championship Sunday??
Whether you think you can or whether you think you can't, you're right.
Henry Ford
by BLW Believes Esq. on Jan 18, 2009 4:50 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Read the URL and you'll figure it out.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Jan 18, 2009 4:55 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I love how the title is in all-caps...
…but the post itself contains only one (1) capital letter.
the interwebz is soooo cool !!!!1
RIP Ron Asheton (1948-2009)
by dat cubfan daver on Jan 19, 2009 9:42 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
that's because...
ualriv was QUIETLY shouting at you.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
by ballhawk on Jan 19, 2009 11:21 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I AM NOT SURE
BUT I THINK IT WILL BE THE GUY THAT BATS FIRST.
Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.
by dtpollitt on Jan 18, 2009 2:07 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
OMG U R A PSYCHIC
can u tell me plz wat color was napoleons white horse thx
Bleed Cubbie Blue: Like Drāno for your internet tubes.
by znohitter on Jan 18, 2009 2:12 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
TRICK QUESTION
NAPOLEON RODE A UNICORN, NOT A HORSE
Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.
by dtpollitt on Jan 18, 2009 2:13 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
did he also type in all CAPS?
I haz blurg: hotbeans.wordpress.com
by digitalbenjamin on Jan 18, 2009 2:18 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
That's why his hand was inside his jacket all the time.
He was holding down the shift key. Caps lock didn’t come along until after the Civil War.
Bleed Cubbie Blue: Like Drāno for your internet tubes.
by znohitter on Jan 18, 2009 2:21 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, he is coincidentally the same guy whose name comes first on the lineup card
Ballhawk’s comment reminds me of when my first wife and I learned sign language so we could have quiet time together and still keep our conversation going.
Tommie Agee was out.
"This field, this game, is a part of our past. It reminds us of all that was once good, and it could be good again." TM
by Weeghman Park on Jan 19, 2009 9:40 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Soriano. Soriano. Soriano. Soriano.
This question gets asked over and over and over again, and the answer is always the same. You can ask it here, you can ask your friends, you can ask your parents, you can ask it in caps lock if you must, and you can even ask it without a question mark. The answer is still going to be Soriano.
In short, Soriano. Soriano. Soriano. Soriano.
by aramis on Jan 18, 2009 2:07 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I think this is the first time...
I’ve seen a 1 sentence 75 word FanPost.
I haz blurg: hotbeans.wordpress.com
by digitalbenjamin on Jan 18, 2009 2:17 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Clearly, this guy is born to have a Twitter account.
RIP Ron Asheton (1948-2009)
by dat cubfan daver on Jan 19, 2009 9:43 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I think he used more than 140 characters allowed by Twitter :)
Anyone Tweet? http://twitter.com/digitalbenjamin
I haz blurg: hotbeans.wordpress.com
by digitalbenjamin on Jan 19, 2009 9:45 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
There is a BCB Twitter feed
http://twitter.com/bleedcubbieblue
Right now, it just notifies you of posts. During the season, I may use it for quick updates from the ballpark.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Jan 19, 2009 10:12 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I'm really diggin' your, uh, Tweets, Al!
I’ve been able to spend much time at the computer over the last few days, and it’s really cool to get a sense of what’s going on in BCBLand via my phone.
I’ve also found that if I use my phone to go to my Twitter page, I can read your main page posts by clicking on the Tiny URLs you’ve been providing. I can’t seem to sign in and make comments, but I can still read your post and everyone else’s comments. Very cool.
Oh, here’s my Twitter page: http://twitter.com/dat_cubfan_dave
RIP Ron Asheton (1948-2009)
by dat cubfan daver on Jan 19, 2009 10:26 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
You're probably getting the mobile version of BCB.
We’re working on getting it so you can log in and comment.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Jan 19, 2009 10:37 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Cool, thanks!
RIP Ron Asheton (1948-2009)
by dat cubfan daver on Jan 19, 2009 10:43 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
SORIANO
Now that we got Gameboard and LBR in the lineup, look at the balance:
(1) Soriano
(2) LBR
(3) Lee/Ramirez
(4) Gameboard
(5) Ramirez/Lee
(6) Soto
(7) Fukudome
(8) Theriot
Given that the pitchers (including Peavy ;-) ) can handle the bat well, this lineup will flip around very quickly. If Fukudome has a better year offensively, and if Theriot is true to form, then Soriano will see a lot of at bats with folks on base.
by initram on Jan 18, 2009 2:34 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I kinda like Theriot second and Fontenot/Miles eighth more than this… I think I remember Theriot doing pretty well in the two hole last year?
"You must try to generate happiness within yourself. If you aren't happy in one place, chances are you won't be happy anyplace."
by All The Way on Jan 18, 2009 3:04 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Little Brian Roberts! ;-)
Actually, it stands for Little Babe Ruth. One of our broadcasters – I think it was Santo – called Fonty that last year after one of his unusual (for his size) displays of power. BCB being what it is, quickly shortened it to LBR and it took off from there…
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
by ballhawk on Jan 18, 2009 6:56 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Right, Fontenot.
got it. I wish he got the ABs to show us if he’s ready for starting full-time.
by northernsails on Jan 18, 2009 7:58 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Yes, it was Santo.
You are correct, ballhawk.
Dan
Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.
by dtpollitt on Jan 18, 2009 7:58 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I think Bradley will be the #3 hitter with Lee
batting 5th. At least I hope they move Lee out of the 3 spot.
by cubswin on Jan 18, 2009 2:47 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
It makes more sense...
… to put him between Lee and Ramirez. Now, maybe you move A-Ram up to #3 and drop D-Lee to #5.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Jan 18, 2009 2:50 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Absolutely.
… but don’t be surprised if Lou decided not to flip Lee and Ramirez.
by initram on Jan 18, 2009 10:44 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I think he won't...
Because I think they’ll bat a LH batter #2 and put Bradley #5, splitting up the power RH bats.
by SouthernCub on Jan 18, 2009 3:40 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Close...
… he will bat a LH #2 (Fontenot) and put Bradley #4, splitting up the power RH bats (Lee and Ramirez).
by initram on Jan 18, 2009 10:45 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
That's possible too... but you ignore the fact that Soto...
is also a RH power bat. Putting Bradley fifth splits up the THREE power RH bats just as much as putting Bradley fourth does.
Either is a possibility, in my opinion.
by SouthernCub on Jan 19, 2009 8:21 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I Am Not Ignoring That Fact...
… I’d just prefer to have Ramirez in between Gameboard and Soto instead of between Lee and Gameboard.
by initram on Jan 19, 2009 7:39 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I might prefer a much different lineup than what I posted...
I was just saying what I think will actually happen.
by SouthernCub on Jan 20, 2009 6:13 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
a darkhorse?
Fukudome. I’m not saying it will happen, but if he turns it around …
by elgato on Jan 18, 2009 3:25 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
If I have learned anything from the Cubs under Hendry...
…it will be a player who is not suited for the position.
by DudeVf11 on Jan 18, 2009 3:48 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
That's a little unfair...
Hendry has no control over how his managers order their lineups. Wasn’t his fault Dusty Baker had no clue how to utilize people. And Lou knows exactly how to and Soriano in that position was a large part of the reason the Cubs were top 5 in the NL in many Offensive categories.
You have no evidence to base your argument upon.
by northernsails on Jan 18, 2009 6:10 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I do not feel strongly about this anymore, so I am not arguing with you here...
…The Cubs did nicely with Soriano at lead off primarily because he’s a good player and I think Hendry should be commended for bringing in a good player because we need more of them (forgetting about the contract term). I think one of hendry’s biggest weakneses is illustrated in your post, i.e., he does not set the tone or philosophy to be implemented. I think that he has improved somewhat in this area, but he was deadset on hiring Dusty and he was willing to let Dusty set the tone and philosophy—it was a huge mistake. It was a huge mistake just from the standpoint that the Cubs’ strength was young starting pitching—not just decent arms, but 3 potentially dominating No. 1 starter arms—the types that put you in the running or in the World series more than once and yet Hendry failed to pick a manager who was skilled at managing ptichers, he probably couldn’t have picked a worse manager than Dusty. But these types of things and what makes a good leadoff hitter were not priorities for Hendry. I think Hendry has changed somewhat for the better but deep down he’s a scout who likes the Old Boy network managers and gives them a ton of latitude. I don’t think this is the best approach but we can still win despite its failings.
by DudeVf11 on Jan 19, 2009 12:41 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Get rid of the capslock!
and I would bet it will be Soriano again. Piniella seems pretty comfortable with him there, and the lineup actually lays out quite sensibly that way:
Soriano
CF/2B
Lee
Ramirez
Bradley
Soto
2B/CF
Theriot
by SouthernCub on Jan 18, 2009 3:51 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Are you speaking to
someone specifically, or are you advocating the complete removal of the “caps lock” key from keyboards all over the world??
"Every player should be accorded the privilege of at least one season with the Chicago Cubs. That's baseball as it should be played - in God's own sunshine. And that's really living." ~Alvin Dark
by DamonBerryhillsMitt on Jan 18, 2009 4:22 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Ah, guess
that just didn’t jump out at me.
"Every player should be accorded the privilege of at least one season with the Chicago Cubs. That's baseball as it should be played - in God's own sunshine. And that's really living." ~Alvin Dark
by DamonBerryhillsMitt on Jan 18, 2009 4:42 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
wow, man, take a breath
that was a loooong sentence.
by nathew on Jan 18, 2009 5:04 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
You guys can book it. This is the lineup
Soriano
Fukudome
Aramis
Milton
Lee
Soto
LBR
Theriot
by MrShowtime on Jan 18, 2009 9:22 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
No Way Is Fukudome batting 2nd...
At least not at the beginning of the year. Also, you have to separate LBR and Theriot…
by initram on Jan 18, 2009 10:46 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Not sure why you have to separate Fontenot and Theriot...
They’re very different hitters. Fontenot has power, Theriot is a slap hitter.
If Fukudome is playing the way he’s capable of playing, I think the lineup Showtime suggests is the best approach. If not, then I’d go with Fontenot second.
by SouthernCub on Jan 19, 2009 8:22 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
+1
RIP Ron Asheton (1948-2009)
by dat cubfan daver on Jan 19, 2009 9:45 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
My mind is fried...
…on this particular topic. Probably because I think it is important and has been a major reason the Cub’s offense been hot/cold since Lofton was onboard.
Frankly, until they get a GOOD leadoff man on the roster (good OBP and can steal), I really don’t think it matters a whole hell of a lot who bats 1st. They may have 2-3 guys they can plug in to do ok for a short duration, but no one who won’t get exposed over a period of time.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
by MPH73 on Jan 18, 2009 11:10 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I think it is probably
going to be Soriano.
by toonsterwu on Jan 19, 2009 2:31 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I agree for the most part...
…though Lou made some comments at the convention that gave me pause. IIRC, he mentioned that Soriano will be a year older, and he talked up Aaron Miles’ OBP. Regarding the latter, I presume he meant Miles’ ‘08 OBP, which was a solid, if not quite spectacular, .355. That’s in less than 400 ABs, though, and Miles’ career OBP is .329, which hardly screams leadoff man. It should be interesting to see whether Lou gives Miles any looks in the leadoff spot in spring training.
RIP Ron Asheton (1948-2009)
by dat cubfan daver on Jan 19, 2009 2:39 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I will be rather displeased if Piniella goes with Miles at leadoff...
Miles’s career is basically the same as Theriot’s overall numbers from 2007, minus the speed. Even when Miles hit well over .300 last year, his OBP wasn’t THAT good. Soriano is certainly not the perfect leadoff man, but he’s a heck of a lot better option than Aaron Miles.
by SouthernCub on Jan 20, 2009 6:15 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
Cubs By The Numbers
Cubs By The Numbers is a history of the ballclub by uniform number, but the biographies help trace the history of our beloved team in a new way. For everyone who's a Cubs fan, anyone who ever wore the uniform is like family. Cubs By The Numbers reintroduces readers to some of their long-lost ancestors, even ones they think they already know.
Click here to order your copy, available now!
Certain photos copyright © 2009 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
