I know pitchers and catchers are supposed to report today but for some reason I feel there is something else today...............oh well. I hope the next couple of days brings alot of good news.

So I (and I'm sure all other Cubs fans), have been tinkering with the Cubs lineup. I've decided that the best lineup is:
1) Izturis SS
2) Murton LF
3) Lee 1B
4) Ramirez 3B
5) Jones (or Floyd) RF
6) Soriano CF
7) Barrett C
8) DeRosa 2B

If you guys are wondering why I'm batting Murton second, it's cause i think he's the perfect guy for the the 2 hole. He's disciplined, doesn't hit for a lot of power, and drives the ball in the gaps. Kind of like early Sandberg.

And if you're wondering why Soriano is batting 6th, that's really the only spot i can picture him. If he leads off, we'll have yet another guy with subpar OBP, and a guy who struck out 160 times a year. Plus, he averages 33 walks a year. I think his power is better utilized on the tail end of the batting order, which gives him the freedom to steal bases without jeopardizing any big hitters behind him.

Elliot,

I like your lineup, however, I don't like Izturis leading off, he has a terrible average, and even worse, a bad OBP. I understand batting Soriano down in the order, but really, without him leading off, we have nobody else lol. Pinella made a good point, he mention Soriano manufactured (scored + RBI) over 200 runs last year for the NATS! He can steal bags, and how great would it be to see him lead off the season with a huge homerun?

I think Murton will eventually be a great #2 hitter. Good average, good patience, hits to all fields, so props to that, I totally agree with you there. I think eventually power will come for him, but thats not a bad thing!

Happy Opening of Spring Training Day!!!! XOXOX

Go Cubs!!!

For the money that Soriano is getting he is either leadoff or no lower than 5th. Izzy would be the worst option for leadoff. I would like to see Theriot leadoff. I totally agree about Murton. I am reallly high on this guy. He reminds me of a mix of Bagwell and Grace.

Soriano CF
Murton LF
Lee 1B
A-Ram 3B
Floyd RF
Barrett C
DeRosa 2B (hopefully Theriot)
Izzy SS (maybe Cedeno)

I am not to high on Derosa. Although I think it was a good signing I would rather have Theriot in there. I haven't given up on Ronny yet and could see him win his job back.

Elliott, I appreciate your input and creativity with the lineup...that's nice to see people thinking outside the box.

I'd have to agree with Austin though, Izzy is not the right guy to leadoff. I think anyone you put up there must have the talent of Soriano to hit for power and speed, or a high OBP guy. Remember, Pierre had a relatively low OBP, yet had a lot of hits, and stolen bases, setting the table for everyone else.....too bad it was a few months overdue. The only other guy I could see in leadoff is Murton, and while he does possess some speed (he actually does have legs...about like Lee), I think he is better suited in the 2-hole because of his self-less play to move runners over, and get rbi opportunities for ARAM and Lee. True, Soriano would've looked phenomenal in the 5-hole, but only if we would've signed Lofton or Pierre. It's a shame we didn't get Lofton, because I think it would've been an even more exciting lineup.

Now, let's pray that Pie has an outstanding spring, or Pagan pushes for playing time so we can move Soriano to RF and trade Jones.

Jim, good point about Theriot...speed. I totally forgot about him. But I can't remember who it was on here...Was it Agustin?...that said Theriot AND Cedeno both had subpar minor league stats, and Theriot had only about 150 ABs, and Cedeno had about the same the year before, and everyone thought he'd duplicate the .300 avg, but he didn't...that worries me about Theriot, though I do see him more as an Eckstein-type, whereas Cedeno does not fit that style.

If Theriot can build off the success he had last year, I'd love to have DeRosa off the bench, spelling Jones or Floyd in the OF and Theriot bringing up the rear of the order where he'd see some good pitches. His speed would really be exciting.

How could I forget about Pagan. Another guy I think could become a solid OF. He has great speed and showed he can play all 3 spots in the OF.

I think that Jones is gone no matter what. The Floyd signing reaked of an upcoming trade. No way JH signs him knowing what we already have if a trade is not coming.

So who is going down for ST. I know someone for CCO is ther but who else. I'm jealsous I have always wanted to go but can never get the time.

I'm down here now, but working, so I'll never get out to see them practice...before I moved here, I used to travel with my previous job, and had more time to hang out at Fitch and watch practice on my way to meetings. Last year, I saw Wood and Prior throwing in the pen, and they both looked in pain when they threw. I also saw Hairston getting schooled at 2B by coaches...thought that was pretty funny...watch out for the prickly bushes that line some areas of the park---they hurt.

If you get the chance, I'd definitely recommend it...as for the games. Well, I'd recommend not sitting on the OF burm. People with strollers block your view, and when the sun is out, it's difficult to see everything, so I'd pony up for the reserved seats anyday....hope that helps Jim---oh, there's also a Chicago owned restaurant in Scottsdale, I believe called Goldman's where a lot of ball players eat at night.

In press reports following Soriano's signing they said that the Cubs guaranteed Soriano that he would lead-off. For that reason I think any mock line-up has to start with Soriano.

@ this point...

1-Soriano [Chad is right]
2-Murton
3-Lee
4-A-ram
5-Floyd
6-Barret
7-Theriot
8-DeRosa

9-Marquis [good OBP]

Jones is gone and so is Izzy

Cedeno and Pagan backup

Aaron it was not me who said anything about Theriot and Cedeno...I think they will both be playing MLB with the Cubs this year.

As much as it seems all you guys will hate me saying this, I love Jones!

I mean, who would you rather have in the OF and batting behind Dlee and Ramirez?

Pie is not ready
Jones has a much better bat than Pagan
and Theriot, while I love him, and would like to see him at second, is not really an OF and is stilil unproven.

I think Jones gives our lineup the most depth, and he can still play a decent right (that is catching the ball, when it comes time to throw, I usually look away lol)

I was swaying back and forth on Jones all of last year. Yes he put up good #'s but I would take a healthy Floyd in right over Jones anyday of the week. Pagan can play the field 100* better than Jones but you are right Jones does have a better bat, so far. I could see Pagan be in right and put up similar #'s.

Jim, I am leaving for Mesa 2 weeks from today and Shaun is going at the end of March.

Sorry, I know its off the subject, but it just stikes me as funny that the guy at the top of the list for pitchers is Rocky Cherry. I swear that sounds like a name from Major League.

"This guy here is dead!"
"Cross him off then."