Fukudome to bat Second and play CF

by bren on Mar 11, 2009 6:40 PM CDT

Not earth shattering news, but:

"He looks wonderful, in really good shape," Piniella said. "I told him we're holding a spot for him. I'm going to put him out in center field, and I'm going to try him in the No. 2 hole in the lineup.

"It was nice seeing him. He said he has been working hard. He's excited about this World Baseball Classic, and afterward he's looking forward to joining us."

Apparently he stopped by work en route to Scottsdale with Team Japan, not sure if he picked last weeks pay stubs, but this seems like a good fit. He's more than capable of covering CF in Wrigley, and his strong arm is always a bonus.

His patience and baserunning ability should suit him well for the 2 hole, and provide a left handed hitter after the right handed Soriano. Makes one wonder why this wasnt done more last season.

We're gonna need Kosuke to succeed this year, so lets hope year number 2 is an easier transition for him

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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Lou must be reading my posts.

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

by santoswoodenlegs on Mar 11, 2009 6:49 PM CDT reply actions

i love it

"I like coconuts, you can break them open and they smell like ladies lying in the sun" Widespread Panic

by Cubbie-Tim on Mar 11, 2009 6:52 PM CDT reply actions

I like Theriot

In the 2 hole for his average, but if Kosuke could bat 280 this year, he would fit well. Ryan grounded into 19 DP’s last year and Kosuke only into 7. Dome also has a lot more patience.

"Check the magic of a winning season and there are always reasons beyond the talent." Ned Colleti

by wrigleyrocker12 on Mar 11, 2009 6:58 PM CDT reply actions

well OBP is the key for the two whole

Or anyone I suppose, but The Riot did have him beat last year in that category, so who knows what he’s thinking, perhaps they have faith in Kosukes ability to rebound afterall?

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.

by bren on Mar 11, 2009 7:10 PM CDT up reply actions

I don't know if this is analysis or hope, but....

It sure seems like Fukudome-san should be capable of a kickup in OBP.

His was .359 last year, almost 40 points below his average level in Japan. And he was way over .400 his last three years, with an increase each year.

I say the upside potential is clearly worth giving him a full shot at the gig.

"[I]f we get a Jumbotron, I can't pull the instant replay thing on all the rookies. Every time there's a good play, we're like, 'Oh, look at the replay,' and you get the rookies to look at the scoreboard." - Ryan Dempster, 2 January 2009

by CaughtInTheVines on Mar 11, 2009 8:06 PM CDT up reply actions

Theriot is much better suited to hit 8th.

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

by Al Yellon on Mar 11, 2009 8:03 PM CDT up reply actions

Theriot 8th?

how bout 9th?

by plenz on Mar 11, 2009 9:15 PM CDT up reply actions

Yes please

I was going to recommend this. I think batting Theriot in front of Soriano would alleviate some of the leadoff stuff and put Alfonso in more RBI situations.

by dmlichte on Mar 11, 2009 9:36 PM CDT up reply actions

Lou won't do it.

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

by Al Yellon on Mar 12, 2009 8:49 AM CDT up reply actions

you know I have thought about La Russa's lineup

And at least with Zambrano it is a reasonable thing to do. With Lilly, Dempster, Harden and Marshall it is not. Better to have Theriot get on and either bunt & run or try to run & hit or outright steal with less than two outs.

Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."

by Ivy Walls on Mar 12, 2009 9:23 AM CDT up reply actions

how about

off the bench?

"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 Mar 12, 2009 10:49 AM CDT up reply actions

TWSS

"That little kid at second base - he is after a job, isn't he?" ~ Lou Piniella, 3/9/09

by daver on Mar 12, 2009 11:02 AM CDT up reply actions

She Talks A Lot?

"I like coconuts, you can break them open and they smell like ladies lying in the sun" Widespread Panic

by Cubbie-Tim on Mar 12, 2009 11:16 AM CDT up reply actions

And we love her for it.

"That little kid at second base - he is after a job, isn't he?" ~ Lou Piniella, 3/9/09

by daver on Mar 12, 2009 11:30 AM CDT up reply actions

Amen.

"That little kid at second base - he is after a job, isn't he?" ~ Lou Piniella, 3/9/09

by daver on Mar 12, 2009 10:08 AM CDT up reply actions

Dome

is one of the most important pieces to the offense this year. If he can hit .280-.290 with an OBP of .380, it would be huge.

"Have You heard of the Boom on Mizar 5?"

by Grockcubs on Mar 11, 2009 8:14 PM CDT reply actions

+1

You ARE freaking out MAN!

by crw89 on Mar 12, 2009 2:06 PM CDT up reply actions

A big fan of this

for 2 reasons -

a) The expectations for Kosuke when he came over was always that of a poor man’s JD Drew or Bobby Abreu. Those guys are capable middle of the order options. A poor man’s version shouldn’t be. If he can maintain his discipline and put the ball in play, he should be fine. He’s also a good baserunner, not a burner, but a good baserunner.

b) They wanted to talk about lefty balance to the lineup and this was the best way to do it. It was either Fontenot or Fukudome at 2, and I prefer Fontenot lower. This potentially gives us

1. Soriano
2. Fukudome
3. Lee
4. Bradley
5. Ramirez
6. Soto or Fontenot
7. Fontenot or Soto
8. Theriot

Spreads out our lefties, offers some on base capability and hopefully, decent base running up top, and Fontenot or Soto should be a plus 6/7 offensive combo.

Heck, to be honest, on days Z is pitching, I wouldn’t mind putting Theriot in the 9 hole and have a more AL like lineup. Doubt it would happen, but I’d be open to that.

by toonsterwu on Mar 11, 2009 8:49 PM CDT reply actions

Thats pretty good, though Id still rather see Ramirez-Bradley-Lee

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.

by bren on Mar 11, 2009 8:59 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

I really hope Lou agrees with you, because I do.

"Pounding sand since 1982...."

by cubswynn on Mar 11, 2009 9:03 PM CDT up reply actions

I'd rather see that as well

but I think Lee is going to have to hit his way out of the third slot for Lou to move him.

by toonsterwu on Mar 11, 2009 11:10 PM CDT up reply actions

Definitely agree

Ramirez should be our 3 this season. Why would you not want to guarantee him an at bat every first inning when he is probably our best HR threat?

Join the BCB Flickr Group: http://flickr.com/groups/bleedcubbieblue

by tony412 on Mar 12, 2009 9:36 AM CDT up reply actions

I am not sure

I am ready for Lee to bat 3rd again this year. I would rather see Aram 3rd, Gameboard (when he is healthy) 4 and Lee 5. IMHO

Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana

by copes006 on Mar 11, 2009 9:10 PM CDT up reply actions

LOL

Sorry bren. Great minds think alike.

Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana

by copes006 on Mar 11, 2009 9:13 PM CDT up reply actions

I suspect he'll remain there though

I dont think Lous given any indication otherwise

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.

by bren on Mar 11, 2009 9:23 PM CDT up reply actions

Hey

you on the web during working hours? Cut it out, your boss.

"You can't take life to seriously, you don't get out of it alive"

by wild bill on Mar 13, 2009 11:16 AM CDT up reply actions

That's good

I want Lee 5th just for his sake of his gdp’s. Bradley and Rammy have 4 less gdp’s combined then Lee does as a whole.

"Check the magic of a winning season and there are always reasons beyond the talent." Ned Colleti

by wrigleyrocker12 on Mar 11, 2009 9:16 PM CDT up reply actions

Those numbers can be misleading

Ramirez would have been the “beneficiary” of Lee’s GDPs, as Ramirez would have had less opportunity to do so, hitting directly behind Lee.

I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg

by Bill Potter on Mar 12, 2009 10:05 AM CDT up reply actions

+1

"That little kid at second base - he is after a job, isn't he?" ~ Lou Piniella, 3/9/09

by daver on Mar 12, 2009 10:09 AM CDT up reply actions

+1

"I like coconuts, you can break them open and they smell like ladies lying in the sun" Widespread Panic

by Cubbie-Tim on Mar 11, 2009 10:17 PM CDT up reply actions

I'd rather see

Soto batting 5th and Lee 6th

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

by santoswoodenlegs on Mar 11, 2009 11:47 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

+1 thru 9

"I like coconuts, you can break them open and they smell like ladies lying in the sun" Widespread Panic

by Cubbie-Tim on Mar 12, 2009 8:45 AM CDT up reply actions

Same idea, but a little different focus ...

Same idea, but I would focus on moving Lee where I think he would be more sucessful, leaving Ramirez at cleanup, putting Soriano in a RBI slot, where with runners on base he might be more disciplined (I know not likely).

  1. Fukodome
  2. Lee
  3. Bradley
  4. Ram
  5. Soriano
  6. Font
  7. Soto
  8. Theriot

Of course this assumes the first half patient Fukodome, not the second half swing at anything Fukodome. Anyway, Lou would never do this.

by BatCubFan on Mar 12, 2009 10:07 AM CDT up reply actions

If Dome can prove himself...

…I like that lineup a lot, too – especially for the postseason.

"That little kid at second base - he is after a job, isn't he?" ~ Lou Piniella, 3/9/09

by daver on Mar 12, 2009 10:11 AM CDT up reply actions

That is a fine, fine lineup.

So say we all!

"That little kid at second base - he is after a job, isn't he?" ~ Lou Piniella, 3/9/09

by daver on Mar 12, 2009 10:10 AM CDT up reply actions

That appears to the the lineup

My only real quibble is that Milton Bradley needs to bat third.

by BLou on Mar 12, 2009 10:23 AM CDT up reply actions

He does appear a near perfect No. 3 hitter...

…unfortunately, to maintain alternating handedness (did I just coin a term?), you’d have to bat a lefty in the leadoff spot.

"That little kid at second base - he is after a job, isn't he?" ~ Lou Piniella, 3/9/09

by daver on Mar 12, 2009 10:31 AM CDT up reply actions

I'm in agreement

Fukudome should be slotted as #2 to start the season. It’s the perfect spot for him. Let him stay there until he proves he can’t handle it.

by rlpete on Mar 12, 2009 8:09 AM CDT reply actions

A great big leap of faith by Sweet Lou

My goodness. It would seem to me that Kosuke has to EARN the right to be in the batting lineup before making a big fat pronouncement like this. By doing this isn’t Lou heaping more pressure on Kosuke that he probably doesnt’ need? Or maybe Lou is crazy like a fox and using motivational technique?

It’s not about Kosuke being in great shape. Rather it is all about whether Kosuke can demonstrate the ability to hit major league pitching.

by BLou on Mar 12, 2009 10:21 AM CDT reply actions