Sullivan takes a stab at the 09 lineup
by bren on Jan 2, 2009 9:28 AM CST
Email
PrintSullivan offers his Opening Day lineup for 2009
2B Aaron Miles
CF Joey Gathright
1B Derrek Lee
3B Aramis Ramirez
RF MIlton Bradley
LF Alfonso Soriano
C Geovany Soto
SS Ryan Theriot
SP Carlos Zambrano
The top of that order just oozes intimidation. Sullivan still sees Lee has a viable number three hitter and places Bradley in the 5 hole, after his most successful season ever in which he batted cleanup for Texas.
Things I liked:
-Soriano batting 6th; now whether or not that would be beneficial to him, and whether he has the patience to acclimate to that role (I suppose we could say the same about Lou) remains to be seen, but I think Soriano not batting leadoff is worth a shot, although there are arguments to keep him there.
-The bottom half- Soriano being protected by Geo seems reasonable, and Theriots patience behind Soto should also help, but how many times will Soto be stranded on base with Theriot-P-Miles behind him? Perhaps another argument for Fonzie staying at no 1. But as Sullivans is constructed, 4-7 contains a lot of power.
Things I didnt like
-Lee in the three hole. Ramirez would seem perfect for this role, he can hit for power and average and has ample plate discipline
-Bradley batting 5th- If this holy quest for a left handed hitter is to be fulfilled, why not go R-S-R in the 3-4-5 spots; Ramirez-Bradley-Lee/Soriano?
-Joey Gathright- I was under the impression they were using a Reed Johnson/Kosuke Fukudome platoon in CF- so Sullivan has 15M dollars worth of Outfielders riding the pine on opening day
And I sincerely hope Aaron Miles isnt our starting second baseman, think of how much better that lineup would look with Roberts in there.
So whats everyone elses take on Sullivans lineup?
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.
128 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Strange
Its strange that I like our chances 6-7-8 more than 1-2-3. I’m excited to see how much Soto will progress going into next year. So having said that, I’d rather see Joey Gathright dropped to 7, and everybody shift one up to…
2B Aaron Miles
1B Derrek Lee
3B Aramis Ramirez
RF MIlton Bradley
LF Alfonso Soriano
C Geovany Soto
CF Joey Gathright
SS Ryan Theriot
SP Carlos Zambrano
Whether this is an upgrade from last year remains to be seen.
Gathright shouldnt even be playing
Why on Earth would he be starting over Fukudome or Johnson is beyond me
Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.
precisely unless there are injuries
Gathright was a back up in KC
With this unsettled roster I see
Fontenot
Fukudome (1st half version)
DLee
Ramirez
Bradley
Soriano
Soto
Theriot
Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."
Only way
Only way that happens barring injury is if Gathright has naked pictures of Lou.
Barbara V. October 14, 1941 - December 19, 2008. A great lady who was a friend to all and like a second mom to her children's friends (she was my best friend's mom)
by puckishcubsfan on Jan 2, 2009 11:52 AM CST up reply actions
Supposedly,
as long as you hang out at Nordstrom, it shouldn’t be all that hard to get some juicy pics.
nice
I haz blurg: hotbeans.wordpress.com
by digitalbenjamin on Jan 2, 2009 7:19 PM CST up reply actions
Sullivan once again
proves he’s the village idiot of baseball.
Sullivan conveniently ignores the fact...
… that Lou isn’t likely to move Soriano from leadoff.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
You know, I can really see a lot of creedence in keeping him there
Like I mentioned, having him come up to bat with sixth, seventh or eighth hitters on base is more ideal than depending on Miles or Gathright to drive in runs.
The problem that would cause would come playoff time-is it wise to switch his spot so quickly?
Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.
Soriano's numbers by order in the lineup
http://www.baseball-reference.com/pi/bsplit.cgi?n1=soriaal01
If you’ll notice, he has put up much better numbers batting 1st. Now, some of that may be small sample size, but in the three positions he’s batted a number of games in, his OPS for those positions is
1st .893
5th .821
3rd .761
by dr stabbingworth on Jan 2, 2009 11:24 AM CST up reply actions
those numbers in the 5th arent too bad
The bulk of his ABs are in the leadoff, so take it for what its worth I suppose. The only way I can see him being moved down would be if they acquired Roberts
Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.
And
And Al I think Soriano is our best option at leadoff unless Miles gets some playing time and is performing.
Barbara V. October 14, 1941 - December 19, 2008. A great lady who was a friend to all and like a second mom to her children's friends (she was my best friend's mom)
by puckishcubsfan on Jan 2, 2009 11:48 AM CST up reply actions
Amazing
That maybe one of the worst configurations I can think of. Only a few minor shifts in Sullivan’s line up and we could insure the at bats are increased as production decreases. Brilliant!
"Baseball is like church- many attend, few understand." ~ Leo Durocher
My take? It is incredibly stupid
Did he just randomly generate that? The worst two hitters at the top of the lineup? Is he assuming that Gathright beats out Fukudome for CF? Do people realize how bad Gathright is? His career slugging is .304. He “slugged” .272 last season. For comparison, Theriot last season was .359. Juan Pierre in his one season as a Cub slugged .388. For his career, Pierre is slugging .371.
Also no way do you bat Soriano 6th. Soriano will still likely be leadoff with Miles second if not Theriot, Fontenot or even Fukudome.
Yup, this pretty much sums up my feeling as well.
Sullivan should have either provided some explanation for this ghastly lineup or not published it at all.
Yes, yes ... winter is indeed a pond upon which all of us must skate, braving frostbite and runny noses in the hopes that our cars will start and we shan't embarass ourselves slipping on a patch of black ice. Spring is more a quagmire of cold mud and slush, and fall is a pile of fallen leaves that may or may not hide a pile of doggy doo-doo. But summer, ah summer is an oasis of endless green that disappears all too quickly beneath our feet as we rush through its warm, glorious bliss.
At the risk of repeating myself...
…I believe I once described Paul Sullivan as “a guy who looks like he needs a Vitamin B12 shot and a hooker.”
Yes, yes ... winter is indeed a pond upon which all of us must skate, braving frostbite and runny noses in the hopes that our cars will start and we shan't embarass ourselves slipping on a patch of black ice. Spring is more a quagmire of cold mud and slush, and fall is a pile of fallen leaves that may or may not hide a pile of doggy doo-doo. But summer, ah summer is an oasis of endless green that disappears all too quickly beneath our feet as we rush through its warm, glorious bliss.
I'm glad Sullivan is not tasked with writing the lineup card...
because that is a TERRIBLE approach to the lineup. I’d also be extremely surprised if Miles and Gathright were regular starters on the team next year.
I really hope that Hendry and Piniella don’t envision that starting lineup for the Cubs next year. If they do, we’re going to be a significantly less effective offense.
Where's Fukudome?
I’m guessing first game of year would be against Roy Oswalt. Gathright or Fukudome eh I’d prefer Fukudome
Yeah thats what I was wondering, but I assume Oswalt would be the opening day starter
Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.
If so, Fukudome starts in CF, not Gathright.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
Gathright in the starting lineup is beyond far-fetched
Center field will be patrolled by a platoon of Johnson and Fukudome. At least that’d be my guess.
And Gathright as a #2 hitter...
… would be the second coming of Neifi.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
Gathright
I doubt he’ll get as many as 250 plate appearances.
"The big possum walks late." - Harry Caray
Well, I could see him getting 100 or so...
… as a late inning defensive replacement who might come to bat once in a while.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
True,
I can see that happening. But 250, that’s be enough to make my head explode.
150 - More Likely
I think 250 is the limit. I believe it’s more likely he’ll get more like 150 plate appearances. That would give him less than one plate appearance per game. I really doubt 250.
"The big possum walks late." - Harry Caray
Are you taking Gameboard's injury history into account?
We would all prefer that Gathright get no more than 100 PAs, but it’s likely that he and RJ will platoon in RF when Gameboard is on the DL. It’s not like Lou can just move DeRo to RF…
"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007
Wow.
I think if you blindly drew names from a hat to determine the batting order, you’d have something that’s more realistic.
I wouldnt mind seeing...
Soriano
Miles
Ramirez
Bradley
Lee
Soto
as the 1-6, or even Theriot at the 2 and Fontenot behind Soto
Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.
My lineup
RH LH
Soriano Soriano
Fontenot Johnson
Ramirez Rammy
Bradley Bradley
Soto Soto
Lee Lee
Dome Onedec SS
Miles SS Miles 2B
"I played with one of the best pitchers in history, Greg Maddux," Zambrano said"
So no Theriot whatsoever?
Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.
that just
made my day.
"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella
by drewishdrewid on Jan 2, 2009 12:03 PM CST up reply actions
come on, he cant for avg and get on base decently
again wishing he was our second baseman instead, but hes not as bad as he’s made out to be by some fans
Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.
well.
I would have shed no tears had it been him traded to Cleveland for 3 minor league pitchers. DeRosa had some actual value. To me, Riot has very little.
"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella
by drewishdrewid on Jan 2, 2009 12:28 PM CST up reply actions
Right, but then we'd be stuck with Cedeno as our everyday SS
some might like that, but he hasnt shown much at the plate so far
Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.
I think Fontenot should hit second
Soriano
Fontenot
Aramis
Bradley
Lee
Soto
Dome/Johnson
Theriot
Ted Lilly
Let the Blaine Gabbert era begin.
Looks good to me
Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.
I could see that as well...
although I suspect Miles will play at 2B against LHP. In that scenario, I might bat Theriot 2nd and Miles 8th.
Yeah Theriot would be good for the two hole if Miles is the other option
Hopefully Fontenot gets a few chances to try and hit leftys this year. I would like to have him as an everyday possibility in the future.
Let the Blaine Gabbert era begin.
Yeah, I like this.
Yes, yes ... winter is indeed a pond upon which all of us must skate, braving frostbite and runny noses in the hopes that our cars will start and we shan't embarass ourselves slipping on a patch of black ice. Spring is more a quagmire of cold mud and slush, and fall is a pile of fallen leaves that may or may not hide a pile of doggy doo-doo. But summer, ah summer is an oasis of endless green that disappears all too quickly beneath our feet as we rush through its warm, glorious bliss.
What I Think Lou's Lineup Will Be
This wouldn’t be mine.
1.Soriano
2.Theriot
3. A-Ram
4. Bradley
5. D-Lee
6. Soto
7. Fontenot
8. Fukudome/Johnson
9. Pitcher
"The big possum walks late." - Harry Caray
that's not a bad guess...
I could also see Piniella going with:
Soriano
Fukudome/Johnson (or Theriot)
Lee
Ramirez
Bradley
Soto
Fontenot/Miles
Theriot (or Fukudome/Johnson)
It depends on how well Fukudome bounces back of course. But I could see Piniella wanting a lefty bat in the #2, #5, and #7 spots, to fully split up the righty bats.
I think this one is more likely...at least at first.
Lou will probably want to put off as long as possible bruising DLee’s ego by dropping him in the lineup. Not that DLee has a big ego, but to go from a team’s perennial No. 3 guy to lower in the order could sting a bit.
Yes, yes ... winter is indeed a pond upon which all of us must skate, braving frostbite and runny noses in the hopes that our cars will start and we shan't embarass ourselves slipping on a patch of black ice. Spring is more a quagmire of cold mud and slush, and fall is a pile of fallen leaves that may or may not hide a pile of doggy doo-doo. But summer, ah summer is an oasis of endless green that disappears all too quickly beneath our feet as we rush through its warm, glorious bliss.
I'd like to see Lee in the 2 hole
Fukudome/Johnson
Lee
Bradley
Rameriz
Soriano
Soto
Fontenot
Theriot
Pitcher
But most importantly I hope that Miles and Gathright don’t start many games and are primarily used for defensive replacement and give the starters occasional breaks.
"There are no curses here...Games are won and lost on the baseball field" - Lou Piniella
Lee would hit into more double plays than last year
if he were to hit in the two hole. Johnson/Fukudome are both singles hitters who won’t steal all that many bases. Lee’s newfound ground ball ways would be a terrible fit for the two hole.
I'm still hoping that the increase in double plays
was a statistical fluke that won’t be repeated.
"There are no curses here...Games are won and lost on the baseball field" - Lou Piniella
I would throw up in my mouth
if Miles is our opening day second baseman. There is not one good reason that Fontenot shouldn’t get the bulk of the starts at second base next year. He’s better defensively and not only does he mash right handed pitching, he’s probably better than Miles against left hander’s as well. Why Hendry gave half of the savings from DeRosa’s contract to Miles is beyond me, as we already have Cedeno on the roster.
My guess is that it will be a straight platoon
Even though Miles is about even in his splits, Fontenot isn’t, so that would help his line.
I think Fontenot playing every day would overexpose him a bit. His stats were inflated last season by only facing righties (only 21 AB against lefties).
That would grant your wish though – Fontenot would see the bulk of the playing time in this scenario.
that's what i did when i saw
the lineup posted… oh my god Miles and Gathright to leadoff the top of the order, that might be worse than CPat and Neifi….
by DartmouthCubsFan on Jan 2, 2009 11:23 AM CST up reply actions
I'll admit, I don't think I have opened read anything of Sullivan's in months,
but it’s hard to believe that something this dumb could have been produced by someone who makes a career out of his supposed knowledge of sports. Assuming that ha believes this is the best possible lineup, he wants to give Aaron Miles(career .329 OBP) and Joey Gathright(career .328 OBP) the two top spots in the batting order. The least he could do is follow up that little excel chart with some type of explanation, but that would assume he has one.
I missed the part
Where he lists the injuries that forced this lineup to be submitted.
Otherwise it reminds me of when I am playing rotisserie baseball and I pick up a new guy or two, and excitedly put them in my lineup right away, even if they aren’t the best options. Seriously, if we lead off with a guy like Miles and then hit Gathright right after, that’s gross. I only want to see that in the second half of a doubleheader in the middle of 20 days played consecutively.
Bradley
looks like a shoo in, but, IMO he will get hurt, be pissed off and slam more helmets than Lou has in a lifetime.
Gaithright shouldn’t start unless our whole outfield is on the DL.
Needless to say this offseason IMO has sucked.
"Have You heard of the Boom on Mizar 5?"
If indeed...
…the Cubs get Bradley, it would open up a whole bunch of options/directions Lou could go with this thing. Also, there is no clear “leadoff” guy that would be on the roster, and that may mean Soriano is not surplanted in that spot. The real wild card here could be how Fukudome responds, and that could really change this up dramatically.
If I had to make out a lineup today, and knowing each players history, I would do this:
Against LH:
Soriano
Theriot
Bradley
Ramirez
Lee
Soto (may switch with Lee)
Johnson
Miles
Against RH:
Soriano
Fukudome
Bradley
Ramirez
Fotenot
Lee
Soto
Miles
Lou is going to be doing a boatload of experimenting if this is what he has to start 09. ST if fine, but you find out a lot more once the real games begin. They may not be able to settle on a fixed LH/RH lineup until mid-May or so.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
Gathright and Miles are utility players
Mike fontenot stats not including his 33 times as a ph, avg obp slg ops
319 412 533 945
scoring position 323 430 600 1.030
scoring position two outs 281 395 531 926
Milton Bradley was pitched around in texas he needs to hit in front of Ramirez
also Josh Hamilton was the guy hitting in front of Bradley, Josh did pretty good.
#9
I wouldn’t be surprised if the 9th slot is wrong. You can make a good argument Dempster deserves to be the opening day starter.
Barbara V. October 14, 1941 - December 19, 2008. A great lady who was a friend to all and like a second mom to her children's friends (she was my best friend's mom)
I think that argument,
at least in Lou’s eyes, went out the window after Game 1 of the NLDS.
I think that barring injuries (or trades) Z will start on opening day in 2009.
"...the internet is not something you just dump something on. It's not a truck. It's a series of tubes." - Sen. Ted Stevens
I was going to make much the same point.
I have this hunch somebody else starts on Opening Day this year. I’m just waiting for spring training to get underway to figure out who.
Bleed Cubbie Blue: Like Drāno for your internet tubes.
Really we have 3 guys that could take the ball on opening day
I think who ever is having a hot Spring and is the healthiest among Z, Demo and Harden will take the mound opening day.
"There are no curses here...Games are won and lost on the baseball field" - Lou Piniella
Fukudome
Count me among the people that would not be surprised if Fukudome has a good 2009. Not maybe up to our original expectations but I wouldn’t be surprised if he winds up playing very well.
Barbara V. October 14, 1941 - December 19, 2008. A great lady who was a friend to all and like a second mom to her children's friends (she was my best friend's mom)
I would not be surprised by anything Fukudome does this year...
with the exception of him hitting 25+ HR. That would surprise me.
The guy had a solid first half of the season (strong OBP, good defense, doubles power) and a terrible second half. He could do either one next year and I’d not be surprised.
My lineup
vs. a RH starter
Fukudome RF
Fontenot 2b
Lee 1b
Ramirez 3b
Soriano LF
Bradley CF
Soto C
Theriot SS
Pitcher
vs. L
Miles 2b
Fukudome RF (could switch with Bradley)
Lee 1b
Soriano LF
Ramirez 3b
Soto C
Bradley CF (could switch with Fukudome)
Theriot SS
Pitcher
In the middle of a good time, Truth gave me her icy kiss. Look around, you must be joking. All that way, all that way for this? -Oysterband
Wouldn't you play Reed Johnson instead of Dome against a LHP?
Yes, yes ... winter is indeed a pond upon which all of us must skate, braving frostbite and runny noses in the hopes that our cars will start and we shan't embarass ourselves slipping on a patch of black ice. Spring is more a quagmire of cold mud and slush, and fall is a pile of fallen leaves that may or may not hide a pile of doggy doo-doo. But summer, ah summer is an oasis of endless green that disappears all too quickly beneath our feet as we rush through its warm, glorious bliss.
I don't see the need... yet...
I would give Fukudome every chance to play against rh and lh. And, I would keep him in right field as he is arguably the team’s best defensive outfielder and has a year of experience playing there. Bradley is capable of playing center, and when (not if) he gets hurt, Johnson will get a lot of playing time.
In the middle of a good time, Truth gave me her icy kiss. Look around, you must be joking. All that way, all that way for this? -Oysterband
I agree...
Fukudome’s splits weren’t very different. If he figures out how to hit like he did in the first half, he probably should be in the lineup regardless of the matchup.
The concern would be the other scenario. If Fukudome continues to hit more like he did in the second half, then a platoon becomes necessary. And honestly, depending upon how bad he struggles, the Gathright/Johnson platoon may make more sense.
I suspect Fukudome will bounce back though, and I’d say Fukudome would be the everyday guy. Johnson would serve as the primary backup for all three OF. He’ll probably get plenty of time subbing for Bradley.
I'm mulling the theory that...
…Dome’s main problem was, plain and simple, fatigue. And, as such, Lou is going to approach Kosuke much like Reed Johnson and Fontenot – use him as a platoon player, put him in situations where he’ll most likely succeed and get the most production out of him that way.
It’s not an ideal situation. Like many Cubs fans, I was doing backflips when Dome was signed, and I was hoping he’d finally be the solution in right field that we’ve all been longing for since You-Know-Who ducked out of Game No. 162. But I think Lou has given up on Dome as a full-time player – at least for the time being. Maybe Kosuke can earn back that privilege, but it’s going to be tough when his role is likely to be limited to begin with.
Yes, yes ... winter is indeed a pond upon which all of us must skate, braving frostbite and runny noses in the hopes that our cars will start and we shan't embarass ourselves slipping on a patch of black ice. Spring is more a quagmire of cold mud and slush, and fall is a pile of fallen leaves that may or may not hide a pile of doggy doo-doo. But summer, ah summer is an oasis of endless green that disappears all too quickly beneath our feet as we rush through its warm, glorious bliss.
by daver on Jan 2, 2009 4:04 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Why would you have Miles lead off?
He’s a pretty bad hitter. I’d bat any number of guys ahead of Miles in terms of leading off.
Regardless, I suspect Soriano will lead off again next year.
Yeah, me too...
…and I’ve heard Lou say as much in a recent off-season interview. I think only a proven, veteran lead-off hitter could budge Alfonso from that spot in the lineup. I suppose if Dome really rebounds – I mean hits (and walks) with absolutely remarkable consistency – he could maybe supplant Soriano as the lead-off hitter at some point (with Soriano dropping to the five-hole), but I doubt that happens.
Yes, yes ... winter is indeed a pond upon which all of us must skate, braving frostbite and runny noses in the hopes that our cars will start and we shan't embarass ourselves slipping on a patch of black ice. Spring is more a quagmire of cold mud and slush, and fall is a pile of fallen leaves that may or may not hide a pile of doggy doo-doo. But summer, ah summer is an oasis of endless green that disappears all too quickly beneath our feet as we rush through its warm, glorious bliss.
Fukudome is the only guy I could see replacing Soriano...
And I’d say that’s unlikely. I think Piniella would simply move Fukudome to the #2 spot and keep Soriano at leadoff in that scenario.
With the lineup we’ll have, it’s not imperative to move Soriano down in the order. Lee, Ramirez, Bradley, and Soto make up a solid 3-6, especially if Lee bounces back from his down year in 2008. And if Fontenot can hit in the #7 spot, there’s really no pressure at all to move Soriano down.
Except that Soriano is not a table setter...
Soriano is just not a top of the lineup hitter. He is simply not Rickey Henderson, despite all his attempts to be so. Let’s move him down the lineup where his K’s won’t derail an inning from the start and his long fly outs might produce a run. I wish Piniella would stop coddling him
Fukudome makes sense at the top of the order, if he can get back to the fundamentals (If he can’t, then he is pretty much useless regardless of where he plays). There is no way he belongs in the five hole. I like Fontenot in the two spot because he has gap power and is a good bat handler. He isn’t Chase Utley, but maybe Todd Walker with a better glove.
In the middle of a good time, Truth gave me her icy kiss. Look around, you must be joking. All that way, all that way for this? -Oysterband
I mostly agree with what you'd like...
HOWEVER, Piniella doesn’t view the leadoff spot as necessarily a tablesetter role. As such, it will take a LOT for him to move Soriano down in the order. And the team just doesn’t NEED him to move down. As such, I suspect Piniella will feel more comfortable just sticking with Soriano there.
The five spot is out of the question for Soriano, Fukudome, and Fontenot. It’s going to be Bradley. That leaves the #1, #2, and #6-7 spots. I don’t see Piniella moving Soriano down that far in the order. Thus, I think he’ll either put Fukudome or Fontenot in the #7 spot, Bradley in the #5 spot, and Fukudome or Fontenot in the #2 spot behind Soriano.
Yeah, you're probably right about the five hole...
…even though that’s the only other spot in the lineup where Soriano has a fairly high number of ABs and has seen some success. And I further agree that Lou probably wouldn’t drop Alfonso below the six hole unless Soriano really, really collapsed offensively. IIRC, Lou did try Soriano in the two-hole for a while early this past season, but it didn’t last long.
Yes, yes ... winter is indeed a pond upon which all of us must skate, braving frostbite and runny noses in the hopes that our cars will start and we shan't embarass ourselves slipping on a patch of black ice. Spring is more a quagmire of cold mud and slush, and fall is a pile of fallen leaves that may or may not hide a pile of doggy doo-doo. But summer, ah summer is an oasis of endless green that disappears all too quickly beneath our feet as we rush through its warm, glorious bliss.
I really like the idea of
Soriano in the 6 with Soto behind him. Would prefer to see Dome (if his OBP is working) leading off with Fontenot/Miles behind, followed by Aramis, then Bradley (assuming he’s coming), Lee, Soriano, Soto, Theriot.
I want Soriano in a comfortable spot where he can swing away and drive in runs, but not in the 3/4/5 as a rally killer.
I'd like that lineup a lot...
…ESPECIALLY in the postseason, where Soriano’s approach at the plate seems to hurt the team the most.
Yes, yes ... winter is indeed a pond upon which all of us must skate, braving frostbite and runny noses in the hopes that our cars will start and we shan't embarass ourselves slipping on a patch of black ice. Spring is more a quagmire of cold mud and slush, and fall is a pile of fallen leaves that may or may not hide a pile of doggy doo-doo. But summer, ah summer is an oasis of endless green that disappears all too quickly beneath our feet as we rush through its warm, glorious bliss.
Agree....
…and more than likely, if Soriano does not leadoff at some point, the guy who takes his spot is currently not on the roster.
I do think Fukudome could rebound in 09, and I would love to see him get significant AB’s in the 2 hole if he does.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
Miles
Miles is kind of there by default against lefties. I suppose you could leadoff Bradley, or even Fukudome. I just don’t want to see Soriano in the leadoff spot. He isn’t Rickey Henderson and does not deserve to be treated as such.
In the middle of a good time, Truth gave me her icy kiss. Look around, you must be joking. All that way, all that way for this? -Oysterband
He's a better choice than Miles...
Bradley is going to bat 4th or 5th. Fukudome will likely bat 2nd or 7th (depending on Fontenot). Soriano certainly isn’t ideal at leadoff, but Piniella is comfortable with him there. Miles should not bat anywhere near the leadoff spot (unless you count backwards, and bat him 8th or 9th).
Sullivan is amazing
How someone manages to write with the body configuration of his head being up his rear end is amazing.
Barbara V. October 14, 1941 - December 19, 2008. A great lady who was a friend to all and like a second mom to her children's friends (she was my best friend's mom)
Perhaps we know why the Trib is in bankruptcy...
Paying guys like Sullivan shows a total lack of intelligence in management.
"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007
Call me weird
Call me weird but I firmly believe the following 3 things. 2 are Cubs one off topic.
1. Fukudome is going to have a good year. Not a great year but a good year. Not up to our original expectations but a good year.
2. This is going to be more power from Lee this year and less DPs.
And my non Cubs prediction
Rex Grossman will have the better career than Kyle Orton but it wouldn’t have happened here.
Barbara V. October 14, 1941 - December 19, 2008. A great lady who was a friend to all and like a second mom to her children's friends (she was my best friend's mom)
Grossman and Orton both suck
And Grossman is too short to ever have any success in the NFL. Orton will have the better career, but neither will be starters in 2 seasons.
The only way Rex succeeds in this league
is if he plays behind the league’s best offensive line, and seeing how it will take an injury to get for him to get into the game, odds are his team’s lineman aren’t that good.
Agreed...
Grossman is just fine as a QB if he has great protection that can pick up the blitz. His problem is that he can’t read a blitz to save his life, and as soon as a team puts pressure on him he craps the bed, resulting in either a wildly thrown ball that can get picked off or Grossman running backwards and getting sacked for a big loss. Maybe someday that will change. But as long as that’s the case, I don’t see Grossman being of much value.
Orton has the advantage of being at least more comfortable in the pocket and better at managing the game. Last year, he threw the ball downfield a bit better (until the injury). I’d say he’s the more likely of the two to be an effective QB long-term.
Sid Luckman
After all these years, he’s still the best quarterback in Bears history. He passed for more yards back in his day than any Bears QB has since.
"The big possum walks late." - Harry Caray
If Orton
hadn’t gotten injured, I think we’d be in the playoffs right now.
"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella
by drewishdrewid on Jan 2, 2009 12:29 PM CST up reply actions
We'd be out again
by Monday morning tho.
Formerly NO100
by jerry morales rules on Jan 2, 2009 12:35 PM CST up reply actions
It wasn't just that.
It was the poor coaching decisions that lost the Atlanta game. That was mindboggling.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
Has Lovie
worn out his welcome? I think he gets one more year and if they don’t have a better season he’s gone.
I agree.
He needs a better staff of assistants, too.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
Lovie needs to realize...
…his coveted cover 2, is easy to game plan against when your front 4 don’t get pressure on the QB. The Bears have made very averge QB’s look like the second coming of Johnnny Unitas, and thats a problem.
Not unlike the Cubs, the Bears have suffered from poor player development (drafting, scouting, etc.) and it has hurt them. The bigger problem is the McKaskey’s don’t like to eat contracts and both Lovie (and especially Angelos) aren’t going anywhere for a while.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
Beyond that...
… Lovie seems to suffer from a case of Dusty Baker disease, and when I say that I mean this:
Dusty fell in love with certain players and ways of doing things when they worked once — but continued to do those things over and over again even when they stopped being successful.
Lovie does this all the time, continuing to run the same offensive and defensive sets even when:
a) they don’t work and
b) he no longer has the personnel that he had when they DID work, and
c) there’s no one on his staff who is willing to stand up and say, “Um, Lovie? This ain’t working any more.”
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
You nailed it!!
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
I feel the same way
about Fukudome. His collective effort last year sucked. But I think he’ll be better than he was in the 2nd half. Maybe not as good as he was in the first half, but probably somewhere in between and consistent.
"This is an environment of welcoming, and you should just get the hell outta here." --Michael Scott
+1
I voted for Fukudome as the Cubs’ MVP for the first half of last season. I’ll go out on a limb and say he’ll bat .285 next season with an OBP of .385.
"The big possum walks late." - Harry Caray
Seems reasonable..
I wouldn’t be shocked by those numbers at all. I wouldn’t be shocked by much of anything Fukudome does next year.
I wouldn't blame his effort...
…as I believe a variety of circumstances participated in his dismal 2nd half. Not unlike most Japanese players, effort usually is never the issue. This is the same reason I think he will bounce back, because he is willing to give the “effort” to do what he needs to do.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
Effort is a common misconception...
Effort is rarely (if ever) the problem in terms of hitting. Fans frequently complain about effort when it’s the results that are the problem. I’d argue that trying harder at the plate may actually lead to worse results (pressing). I suspect that trying too hard at the plate has been the problem for the Cubs during the last two playoffs. The team pressed to try to do too much up there rather than being patient and producing.
I don’t know whether it was a problem of fatigue or getting figured out for Fukudome (I’d be more inclined to believe the latter), but I don’t think it was a problem of effort. I think it’s reasonable to expect him to bounce back to close to his first-half numbers. I wouldn’t be surprised by that at all.
Agree...
…and the big question in regards to the Cub’s playoff (hitting) performance is why they did press so much? It’s not like they had a young inexperienced team, and you would hope they could play with a little more confidence and not squeeze the bat.
You need to be confident in your abilities when you step up to the plate. When you are, it automatically allows you to relax and perform at a high level. The entire Cub’s team played with a lack of confidence (unlike Dempster’s opinion of them being “over confident”).
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
To clarify
Instead of “effort,” it would’ve been more accurate of me to say “his cumulative numbers over the course of the year.”
I’d be willing to wager that memphiscub’s crack at numbers will prove pretty close to reality. And hopefully his first & second half splits will be similar.
"This is an environment of welcoming, and you should just get the hell outta here." --Michael Scott
Did Sullivan...
…forget what it was like when the Cubs had Patterson and Neifi in the one and two slots? Probably the worst OBP from one and two hitters in the history of the game. The lineup he lists, has the same potential.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
Agreed...
Unless something goes terribly wrong, I’d be VERY surprised to see that lineup trotted out for opening day.
I have a feeling...
…you won’t see the semblance of a set lineup until sometime in May.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
Given Piniella's tendencies, I agree...
He loves tinkering for a day or two. He’s never patient enough to wait to see if a lineup will work out, though. Hence the variety of lineups used last year.
That, along with the uncertainty in CF and 2B and the health concerns with Bradley, I suspect you’re right that we’ll see lots of lineups thrown out there.
If there is another...
…major U.S. newspaper that has worse baseball writers than the Tribune, I’d love to know who that is.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
Actually, the WSJ has a guy who writes a baseball column once in a while...
…and he’s not bad. I’ve posted a couple Fanshots of his stuff.
Yes, yes ... winter is indeed a pond upon which all of us must skate, braving frostbite and runny noses in the hopes that our cars will start and we shan't embarass ourselves slipping on a patch of black ice. Spring is more a quagmire of cold mud and slush, and fall is a pile of fallen leaves that may or may not hide a pile of doggy doo-doo. But summer, ah summer is an oasis of endless green that disappears all too quickly beneath our feet as we rush through its warm, glorious bliss.
Yeah, but the box scores are REALLY hard to find.
Bleed Cubbie Blue: Like Drāno for your internet tubes.
+1000000
Sullivan is a hack! He’s just filling space………………….IMO……..neither Miles or Gathright will be every day starters….and if they are…………………..God help us!! What a moron!!1 I saw that article yesterday…….my 12 yr old son was ready to puke when he saw it………..
sullivan's lineup
is like one of the lineups you’d grown about in the past couple years when you went to wrigley to find out cedeno, murton, and pie were all in it.
Is Dusty the manager
again?
SORIANO! YESSSSSSSS! JIMBO!!!
No, just ghost writing for Paul Sullivan.
It is the holidays, after all.
Yes, yes ... winter is indeed a pond upon which all of us must skate, braving frostbite and runny noses in the hopes that our cars will start and we shan't embarass ourselves slipping on a patch of black ice. Spring is more a quagmire of cold mud and slush, and fall is a pile of fallen leaves that may or may not hide a pile of doggy doo-doo. But summer, ah summer is an oasis of endless green that disappears all too quickly beneath our feet as we rush through its warm, glorious bliss.
won't happen
I could see Miles in the one or two hole, but Gaithright won’t be starting. Here’s my guess for opening day (if we face a right-hander).
Soriano
Fukudome
Ramirez
Bradley
Lee
Soto
Fontenot/Miles
Theriot
Against a lefty:
Soriano
Johnson
Ramirez
Bradley
Lee
Soto
Miles/Fontenot
Theriot
Doubt it
I think it’s Lee and Ramirez in the three and four holes again. Lee could be moved if he has an awful year, but I doubt that will happen. Ramirez likes hitting fourth, and Lou likes him there. Lou also likes a lefty in the five spot. So I think it’s:
Soriano
Fukudome
Lee
Ramirez
Bradley
Soto
Fontentot
Theriot
and vs LHP, all bets are off. He might just swap Dome and Theriot, but I bet he platoons Johnson and Miles to some degree. But the big three of Soriano, Lee and Ramirez would stay in place, where they (and Lou) are comfortable.
"Who's Bob Brenly? The guy that used to be the manager for Arizona?" ~ Alfonso Guilleard Soriano
Paul Sullivan at it again
He’s useless. Always has been. The only thing I can think of is that he is nephew of the Tribune editor or something.
Close enough
He was Royko’s secretary for years, and Royko was pretty close to Tribune royalty.
"Who's Bob Brenly? The guy that used to be the manager for Arizona?" ~ Alfonso Guilleard Soriano
lineup
im sure fontenot will split time with miles at 2nd.the job is his to lose.gathright will be a role player not a starter. im starting to get worried.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
FanShots
Quick hits of video, photos, quotes, chats, links and lists that you find around the web.
Recommended FanShots
Recent FanShots
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!
Recent Stories in Chicago Cubs Game Threads
Recent Stories in Ticket Exchanges
Baseball Nation Recent Stories
In Association With
Big League Stew - MLB - Yahoo! Sports
- College player makes impossible over the fence catch to save tournament game (Video)
- Security!: Camden Yards guard collides with Royals’ Mike Moustakas
- The Juice: Nelson Cruz matches career high eight RBIs, Pujols stays hot in Seattle
- Benches clear at Fenway as Red Sox-Rays rivalry heats up
- Keeping good company: Albert Pujols becomes fourth-youngest player to hit 450 home runs
