Soriano Moving on Down?

By Neil on February 16, 2009 7 Vote 0 Votes

Lou Piniella is "not going to rule out" putting Alfonso Soriano in the mix to hit in the middle of the Cubs lineup along with Derrek Lee, Aramis Ramirez and Milton Bradley. According to a report from the Sun-Times, Lou Piniella "opened the door for a transition when he said today he's going to try Soriano in some middle-order spots to see how he responds."

Alfonso Soriano will remain the Cubs primary lead-off hitter according to the Sun-Times but when Soriano "bats elsewhere, Piniella said he feels he can use Ryan Theriot, Aaron Miles and Mike Fontenot in the top spot of the order." The report also mentioned Kosuke Fukudome could be used in the leadoff spot if he hits like he did at the beginning of last season.

Will update with more from Day Four from Camp Lou III as information becomes available....

Steve Dave

Agree with Jeff. Figure it out and move him down already.

Jeff

This is a bit ridiculous if you ask me. Lou is just going to test the waters with moving Soriano down in the order. Soriano will not do well and he will say he is just comfortable leading off and he will go back to leadoff and the Cubs will suffer. He is getting paid big bucks so Soriano should hit anywhere in the lineup. Lou should just tell him he is not going to hit leadoff...end of story. This "trying" stuff gives Soriano an excuse to pretty much demand back the leadoff spot. He comes off as somewhat of a cry baby and Lou doesn't look so tough giving into him every year.

Jimbo

Im really liking the idea of at least trying Fukudome at lead off. Its obvious that he has the discipline to be there, though he may be not have Soriano's powere, while Soriano lacks the discipline, but definitely has the power to bat to get a lot more RBI's down lower in the lineup.

Sean

I would love to see Soriano move down in the order. I know he gives the Cubs that instant offense with the lead-off home run at the beginning of games, but his RBI opportunities would greatly increase if he were to hit 5th or 6th. I think Theriot would be terrific in the lead-off spot. He was in the top 14 in all of baseball last year in both batting average (.307) and OBP (.387). He also accomplished the rare feat of more walks (73) than strikeouts (58). I just think Theriot is best utilized in the 1 or 2 hole, and thought it was a waste when he was moved down to 8th last season, especially in the two playoff games.

EJW

Fontenot (L)

Lee (R)

Ramirez (R)

Bradley (S)

Soriano (R)

Soto (R)

Fukudome (L)

Theriot (R)

Ed

Would love to see fukudome be able to bat leadoff for the entire year... great obp, and maybe he'll become the singles and doubles hitter we need to set-up the lineup... think last year he felt like he need to start hitting more homeruns and began to press way to much...if he knows he in there to just get on, i think we'll see the hitter we saw at the beginning of last year...

joel

i like the idea of seein him moved down for no other reason than i cant see a better murderers row in the league than

Aramis Ramirez

Milton Bradley

Alfonso Soriano

Derrek Lee

Geovany Soto

(not necessarily in that order)

but with guys like theriot (.307), Fontenot (.305), and Miles (.317) settin the table for those bats...watch out