Spring training is almost here and although the Cubs look healthier without Bradley and with both Zambrano and Soto looking like baseball players and not fat gobs of goo the Cubs are poised to start the season without a real lead off hitter once again.
I think that it is obvious to all, even to the administration for once, that Soriano is no longer the OBP or base stealing type of guy you need at the lead off position, so that leaves us with Theriot or Fukedome.
Now I love me some Ryan Theriot. He is solid at the plate and in the field but I am not convinced that last years 21 stolen bases and .284 batting average and .344 on base percentage are going to get it done for the Cubbies as a full time lead off hitter.
And as our other option the dismal Fukudome. Seriously, after this year if he can’t figure out how to swing a bat without doing a pirouette I will definitely be the first to give him a good old kick in the ass as he heads out the door. I do not want a guy that swings like that to be my lead off man especially when compounded with how remarkably bad he is at stealing bases. Just as a reference to compare him to The Riot and other NL lead off hitters here are his batting stats from last year. .259 BA, .375 OBP, and 6 stolen bases.
When compared to the top 10 NL lead off hitters 2009 whose average BA was .288, average OBP was .358, and average # SB 21.7 Theriot doesn’t look all that far off, if he picks up his game a little bit he could easily surpass the numbers of last year, and the NL averages for lead off hitters. But is that enough for you Cubs fans?
What are our options. We don’t have much in the way of current players that could fill the void. D. Lee monopolizes first base and 3rd in our line up, Ramirez at 3rd batting 4th, Soriano is in left or Byrd in center batting 5th. Then then fill in the blank through 6-9. So with all positions accept for second which will in all likelihood be split between Fontano and Jeff Baker filled where if the Cubs pick up a bonafide lead off man could they even put him?
Do the Cubs have anyone to develop into a prime time lead off hitter and who do you move to get him up here?
Maybe I am showing my baseball lack of knowledge, but couldn’t Soriano bat lead off? He just seems like a lead off hitter to me as he makes good contact with the ball and has some leg speed to steal some bases. Not sure, but that is what I am thinking.
As someone that is not a Cub fan, I can take an unbiased look at this subject. And what I see is that the Cubs are aren’t as screwed as you would think. Theriot is the best option they have to bat in that position and if I were a Cub fan that wouldn’t bother me. There’s a trend in baseball now where teams are looking for big names to bat leadoff, someone with experience doing it and known throughout the league as a lead off hitter. While that helps, I don’t think it is completely necessary. All you really need is someone that is capable of seeing a lot of pitches, hits well with 2 strikes, has a decent on base percentage, and is a threat to steal a base. A leadoff hitter’s job is to get on base and then be enough of a distraction as a baserunner to help out the big boys batting behind him. Theriot fits the bill on most of the categories. As for Fukodome, don’t even get me started, I can’t believe that twirling fairy is still on a major league roster and not back in Japan. And for Soriano, worst idea anyone has ever had, EVER. There was a time when he could steal a base, but that was several years and a dozen pulled leg muscles ago. Him running hard is a stint on the DL waiting to happen, and he swings at so many pitches outside of the strike zone that I’m not sure if he would even know what to do with a good pitch to hit.
Theriot is by far the best option they have for the lead off spot, and while I think he is best suited to hit second, if he embraces the role and knows its responsibilities, he could succeed and the Cubs could have a decent offensive year.
As a cubs fan I have to agree, Soriano is at best a number 5 or 6th guy. Fukodome needs to be reminded that this is baseball and not a ballet. Theriot is the best option for now, we also have a couple that if their OBS improve or battting avg improve the could be a replacement. Sam Fuld is one and if he could prove that they can hit. Fuld has shown that he is willing to take some pitches, but needs to hit a little better. There is also starlin Castro that if he can prove he is ready he could take over at short and move theriot to second. Castro has shown in the minors that he can hit for power and contact, also has some speed. We will see when spring training starts what will happen.
I’ve been waiting for this, the cubs thing that is. Hating the cubs and rooting against them is almost as euphoric to me as the thought of Angelina Jolie giving me head. A lead off hitter? That’s what you guys are worried about? They have a whole lot more problems than that! This team and it’s manager withers to the ground at the thought of playing in a big game. Pinella won 120 games at Seattle with a team loaded with future hall a fame players and couldn’t even get to the world series and that guy they call a GM wouldn’t know a baseball player if Ted Williams walked up to him. Definitely going to be 101 years and counting. Maybe the new ownership can finally turn this franchise around but like the Bears it’s going to take sweeping changes from top to bottom.
Couldn’t have said it better. As a Sox fan (plenty to come on them in the near future) it gives me great pleasure to see Cub fans squirm. I expressed my feelings on their lead off situation speaking strictly as an observer, not a Sox fan or a Cub hater, but Dave is correct here. They have more to worry about than that. Starting pitching?? When will Ramirez’s arm finely pop out of socket and complete fall off?? Can Byrd hit anywhere besides Texas (he had poor road stats last year)?? Will Sweet Lou finally lose the precious few screws he has left?? How fun will that be to watch when it finally happens
Oh, here we go. Diamond Dave getting Ryan all riled up about how bad those Cubbies are, we will see.
I am pretty confident in our starters. Zambrano lost 40 lbs and looks good. If he can keep his cool he can get us 17 wins easily. Wells and Dempster are solid. I will have to see what Lilly looks like after his shoulder heals. And spring training is going to deliver us a gem 5th starter.
Ramirez is going to be healthy this year. (fingers crossed)
Byrd/Fukudome/Soriano are my worries. We need an outfield that can hit and with those guys I never know what I am gonna get.
We are going to have to get one of those old afternoon saloon bets going on me and Petry taking the Cubs and Dave/Ryan taking the Sox.
Dis’in the cubs is just too easy. I mean their nickname is “The Lovable Losers”!
About your starters? Big Z is the big melt down. He hasn’t won more than 12 games in a season his entire career. What gives you any notion that he could possibly give you 17 wins this year. He will give you at least 17 melt downs though! Probably 20, 25 who knows but he will continue to be a distraction for them.
The Dumpster and Lilly Pad, come on, 10 wins each at most. Wells is the only half way decent pitcher you got.
Dave,
In years that Zambrano has more than 10 decisions he averages 14 wins. If he can stay calm he could easily win 17. He has two 16 win seasons and an 18 win season.
He is also in the best shape of his life, hopefully you will be eating crow by the end of the season.
Adam
You’re right, I forgot he had a couple of seasons that he had win totals in the teens. What’s his career average however? Bet it’s not over 12. For a supposed ace that aint good. He’s to much hype and no substance and is always a big distraction to his team. The cubs should’ve unloaded him with Bradly during the off season but they’re paying him too much for anyone to take a chance on him. So they’re stuck with having to keep trying to appease his ego. That screws with the teams chemistry.
I agree that he is bad for the team and hate calling him our ace. But he shows glimpses of brilliance. I can hope that he can pull it together this season and win us some games.
Pitchers and Catchers report in a month!