Full Court Press

Man, that that that that that's a tough.. tough decision right there..Yeah..a tough decision

I still say Soriano batting clean up..or 5th..

Honestly Roman...I don't don't don't don't nessa..necessarily like going against what what what what L'L' Lou Piniella does..

I love that guy like I would a a a a...oh..what what what's his name ...Villano...Yeah...Mark Villano

We are as lucky to have Lou as we are unlucky to have Jerry, Lovie, Rex, and Cedric..

I don't know, Roman. Fukudome provides great protection for Ramirez and is a far better clutch hitter with men in scoring position. How about batting him eighth? Since it seems unlikely that he'll be sitting on the bench,one does wonder what Lou is going to do to solve the problems he presents.Tough decision, but that's why he gets the big bucks.

To quote Sgt Barnes (Platoon), "Take the pain! Take the pain!!!!"

Sit him and eat his contract.

When he realizes it's a team game and he agrees to do what's best for the team, then play him. Perhaps showcase him for a trade later in the season, but this team plays better without him in the line-up.

Soriano is the "A-Rod" of the National League -- he doesn't make the teams he plays for better because it's all about him.

I wouldn't waste Fukudome at lead off. Put one of the Cajuns there or Johnson or DeRosa or Cedeno.

The Cubs will need another starter by mid-season, so Soriano might be someone they can offer to make that trade. I don't think Dempster will continue to perform as well as he has. Once he goes through teams the second time, he will be hit more often and harder. In fact, it's already happened in his last two starts -- both against teams he already faced.

Just gonna throw this out there....... how about trade him?

I'm sorry. I know he's popular, seems to really enjoy playing baseball, displays an infectious brand of enthusiasm and is a great presence in LF. But this guy is NOT a leadoff hitter.
Does anyone remember the playoffs last year??
The next time he works the count will be his first. A one-dimensional offensive ballplayer who like too many players today seems to think it's all about him and his little solo HRs. If he was an NBA player, he'd be the type jacking up 35 shots a game, scoring 33 points and taking his team to the cellar.

His numbers don't add up to the money he is making. So I wouldn't have a problem moving him if they get a real lead off man for him.

Julie sez: "Just gonna throw this out there....... how about trade him?"

Who would want him ... with his bad wheels, and his bazillion dollar contract?

The Cubs are going to have to eat him.

Judging by the overwhelming response might need to change his name to sayonora. (I'm sure julie will let me know if that's spelled correctly)

Lou's being too adamant about Soriano leading off. Makes me think Hendry's behind all this.

Trade him? That's a good one. Who's gonna want to assume that huge salary? Or the Cubs would end up paying most of it to unload him. Not gonna happen.....Hendry has invested too much in Soriano to admit he boo-boo'd.

Um........Roman, why do you ask? Is it because you hate the cubs and you are trying to drum up some kind of sensationalism in the Chicago media, that would hint we don't need him? Silly me, that doesn't happen at all. I will provide one and only one fact for this thread:

1.) He isn't going anywhere with his contract, so who cares, I am sure he will make an impact no matter where he is,so let's not make an issue out of it.

"Soriano is the "A-Rod" of the National League"

Yea....right.....

If he puts up A-Rod numbers, he can bat wherever he wants.

To quote Stoney: "Cub fans better find something they like about Soriano because he's going to be here for quite a while".

This conversation is inane. No way do you trade him. No way do you move him. If you do move him, move him to 6th in the order.

See? That wasn't so hard, was it Roman? You hit the nail on the head this time. Bravo.

Soriano, a man with far more power than on-base skills, is ideal to bat in a team's last batting order slot that contains a power bat. In the Cubs' lineup, that's 5th.

Fukudome is an ideal leadoff guy. He has some speed and a LOT of patience at the plate. He has enough power so that pitchers aren't just gonna pound the strike zone against him (i.e., he'll be able to keep drawing walks). He also doesn't hit enough homers to the point where it cripples the team to have 7-8-9 batting in front of him (because if he hit a lot of HR, we'd probably want people getting on base in front of him, too).

Julie B. - Can't trade him. There are few teams (read: none) out there willing to take on his expensive, back-loaded contract.

I'm really happy for you on this one, Roman! (or maybe I'm just in a good mood, because I was just at an awesome Sox/Yankees game)

No, but seriously. You're right.

Roman responds: Noles, you coming out to our little road race/party?

I say bat him 9th. Maybe Larussa & Yost are on to something.

Close, it's Sayonara. And I only know that because my son is studying Japan right now and that's what he says to me when he leaves for school every morning!

Sometimes I swear I'm emabarassed to be a Cubs fan. I can see and understand the debate of not batting Soriano in the lead off position. Debate away. As far as I'm concerend there isn't a bonafide lead off hitter on this team so it makes no difference. As for you idiots who suggest the Cubs should trade/release/bench Soriano, you obviously have no memory of Soriano carrying this team on his back last August/Sept. You people making those suggestions know little to nothing about baseball, and show how ignorant you are as Cubs fans. You're probably the same people throwing trash from the bleacers onto the field.

thank you julie I should have gone with my first instinct, I changed the a to an o last minute. but all in all not bad for a region rat living in the middle of NASCAR country where the term is seeya'll later.

""Soriano is the "A-Rod" of the National League"

Yea....right.....

If he puts up A-Rod numbers, he can bat wherever he wants."

Peoria Matt:

You are definitely a Cubs fan. For Cubs fans, it's not about winning championships, it's all about the "experience" of cheering for the Cubbies. I would rather watch a team win than watch an individual put up glossy numbers. A-Rod will never win a World Series and Soriano has a ticket to board that train. Baseball is about team. A-Rod and Soriano are about "me" and "I."

You can have your numbers -- and that's typical baseball strategy for a Cubs fan. I will take the wins and the titles. That's why I'm a Cardinals fan.

road race/party?

The cubs should just release some video of him leaving the park early, then pay all of his salary so he can play for some small market american league team, like balmer.

Hendry should contact Mr. Peabody and Sherman, borrow their "Way Back Machine", and set the date to November 19, 2006, (the day before the Cubs wasted $136 million on this selfish stiff) thereby allowing some other team to make the mistake of adding him to their roster.

Then he should fast forward to the year 2929, which is the year I predict the Cubs will finally win the World Series.