Slump-ridden Alfonso Soriano strikes out again Wednesday against the Sox.
Lou Piniella has seen enough. The exasperated Cubs manager again struggled for words Wednesday to explain his team's inability to hit after a 4-1 loss to John Danks and the White Sox at Wrigley Field. But this time, Piniella hinted that big lineup changes are on the way.
''It's getting to the point where I'm going to have to start making some tough decisions and get different people in the lineup,'' Piniella told reporters. ''I mean, I've been real patient with it, but I tell you, it's getting to that point.''
So what's Lou to do? The first priority should be benching Alfonso Soriano, mired in a horrendous slump (2-for-24 in his last six games, a dismal .137 batting average in his last 24 games) and chasing balls that are waaay out of the strike zone. If Soriano's problems are due in part to his sore left knee, sit him down until it feels better.
And when Soriano does return to the lineup, move him down to the middle of the order, an experiment Piniella inexplicably abandoned after only two games (both losses) at St. Louis in April. Soriano isn't a high on-base-percentage guy and no longer has great speed, and he's killing them in the leadoff spot. (BTW, forget talk about moving Soriano back to second base. Maybe if they'd done it in spring training, but it's too late now, especially with his bum knee).
What else does Piniella need to do? Give us the lineup you'd like to see going forward, starting with Thursday's game against Sox right-hander Gavin Floyd. Who makes the most sense as leadoff hitter (I'd vote for Ryan Theriot, despite his recent struggles)? Who starts and who sits (Micah Hoffpauir needs to be in the outfield -- he's no Gold Glover, but then, neither is Soriano)? Do you favor a platoon system at certain positions or would you prefer to stick with a set lineup?
Here's your chance to play Cubs manager for a day! Our pencils and scorecards are ready, please give us the correct lineup for today's game.
Sorry if I'm not answering your question completely but one things for sure, Soriano has to be removed from the lead off spot, permanently. Bat him third or 5th until Ramirez comes back, if he does. I'd bat Lee 6th or 7th. Put in Hoffpauir in the two spot and leadoff with Theriot. I'd play Reed Johnson. I'd bench Fukodome. Put in that underachiever head case Bradley clean up for now, in between his injuries, to see if he can earn his bucks. Get a few hitters at the trading deadline. There's simply not enough offense to be found on this team's roster right now. This team can't hit. Of course the option is there to keep firing the hitting coaches. Forget any parades this Fall.
Ok here we go:
Theriot
Fuku
Lee
Bradley
Hoff
Fox (at 3B)
Soto
Fontenot
P
This is a winner, any lineup that does not include swinging at balls in the dirt is a winner, any lineup that does not include Miles in it is a winner. Let Fox play, what is the worst that can happen, we lose - he strikes out - he commits an error - hmmm, what has been happening all season. If it was not for our starters this year would be over.
BTW - sell the darn team aleady, sign Pedro and package Wells, Blanco, Scales and whoever else for B. Roberts, and put Fontenot back on the bench.
If Fuku hits, he plays, otherwise keep the FUK-Johnson platoon going.
My two cents.
You can also insert Soriano in this lineup (once he starts to hit again), take out Hoff and then it looks like this:
Theriot
Fuku
Lee
Bradley
Fox (at 3B)
Soriano
Soto
Fontenot
P
I also hope Von sees that many of our hitters are too far away from the plate in the box - Lee and Soto especially.
Yep.
It is all Soriano all right.
I mean... he is only leading the team in HRs, RBIs, Runs Scored, Doubles and Total Bases so he must be the cancer here.
It is Soriano's fault that not one single Cubs player (other then himself) is in double digits in HRs this season.
You can blame Soriano that there is only two Cubs hitting higher than .283.
You can blame Soriano that have no else that can steal a base once in a while.
You can blame Soriano that flash in the pan Geovany Soto is out of shape and has crashed to Earth.
It is Soriano's fault that Fukudome is a bust, that Dempster was over paid, that Zambrano is an idiot, that Bradley was one of the worst signings in team history.....
All they need to do is bench their best offensive player and things will be smoother than a baby's bowl movement in Cubbie land right?
With the constant finger pointing at Soriano by the Cub fans it is "almost" as if they are not even watching the games or know anything about their own team let alone baseball in general.
1. Ryan Theriot SS
2. Kosuke Fukodome CF
3. Derrick Lee 1B
4. Alfonso Soriano LF
5. Milton Bradley RF
6. Geovanny Soto C
7. Mike Fontenot 3B
8. Aaron Miles 2B
9. Carlos Zambrano P
Fontenot
Theriot
Johnson
Lee
Hoffpauer
Bradley
Hill
Soriano
Pitcher
1 SS The Riot
2 CF Reed
3 1B Lee (should be traded)
4 RF Bradley
5 LF Soriano
6 3B Fonte/Freel
7 C Hill (soto needs to sit, ease him back)
8 2B Miles/Fonte
9 Pitcher
Wish List
SS The Riot
CF Fukudome (normal no spin fukudome)
3B A Ram (healthy as ever)
RF Bradley
LF Soriano
1B Hoffpauir (D Lee traded for bullpen help and others)
C Soto ( 2008 ROY)
2B Fonte/Miles (Rotation)
Pitcher
Here you go Lou. Try this one. Start with the cajun connection at the top.
1)Theriot SS RH
2)Fontenot 2B LH
3)Lee 1B Rh
4)Bradley RF SwH
5)Hoffpauir LF LH
6)Fox 3B RH
7)Fukodome CF LH
8)Hill C RH
9)Zambrano P SwH
Lou is doing that for the fans. That loss hurt the Cubbies badly because the entire team is struggling. Trust me, the Sox can relate. This is why I don't like these Chicago vs. Chicago games. No matter what, Chicago loses. I would like it reduced to 2 games a year. And it looks like the weather is not going to permit this one to be played either.
Lou should stick with his guns. Nothing wrong with the Cubs, they are ALL studs. Changing things up won't make people hit, it will make them worse. You get a hot player from the bench in there for a while and it will give you a little jolt, but he is on the bench for a REASON. Meanwhile this plays with the mentality of your starter and takes away at-bats he needs to get going. It delays the inevitable. You will return to the STUD you are paying eventually because that bench player will be just that sooner or later. Cream rises to the top. Always has and always will. Unless someone is injured, you stand pat and ride it out. Cubs fans are on the ledge because they lost to the Whitesox. The Sox are one of baseball's most quality organizations that play in the best league and toughest conference. Don't confuse tax brackets with what happens on the field. I know this much. You go with your STUDS. Ask Stu Vangundy if he would let that rookie take the game winning shot again.
This better not be another Cubs fans vs. White Sox fans ranting session or else I'm done blogging on baseball in FCP. For today's game only, I would try the following lineup for the Cubs:
1. RYAN THERIOT (ever since his mini home run binge a few weeks back, he hasn’t been hitting the same. It’s time for him to just concentrate on just making contact and getting on base)
2. KOSUKE FUKUDOME (he’s not a run producer, period. Continue the platoon with Reed Johnson. Either he hits here or at #7 or #8, possibly even leadoff)
3. MILTON BRADLEY (swinging the bat better as of late)
4. MICAH HOFFPAUIR, LF (sub for Soriano, left-handed stick against Floyd)
5. DERREK LEE (this is the best slot for him, especially when Ar. Ramirez returns)
6. JAKE FOX, 3B (I read that he’s been taking ground balls at 3rd. It’s time for them to give it a try and just wing it)
7. MIKE FONTENOT (man, we should never have traded DeRosa)
8. KOYIE HILL (platoon with Soto until Geo gets his act straight)
9. CARLOS ZAMBRANO
I still see the White Sox winning this game, but it's time to try different things for the Cubs.
1. Theriot ss
2. Johnson cf
3. Lee 1b
4. Bradley rf
5. Soriano lf
6. Fox 3b
7. Fontenot 2b
8. Hill c
9. Z p
If anybody remembers from last year, our best leadoff guy was Reed Johnson and I believe it starts with maybe shuffling him back at the leadoff spot. It all starts with getting back to manufacturing runs and its going to take someone that makes contact, hustles down the line, and is not afraid to take a walk. Here's my recommendation.
1. Johnson-cf
2. Lee- 1b-(Not the run producer he used to be but gets on base.)
3. Bradley/Hoffpauir rf( platoon)
4. Soriano lf- until Ramirez gets back, then drop Soriano one spot
5. Fox- 3b- until Rami returns
6. Theriot-ss
7. Soto-C
8. Fontenot-2b
9. Pitcher
First I would tell Miles to take a hike and bring up Matt Camp from Iowa! Can Play 3rd, LF, RF, and Even a little SS. He is hitting the ball not for much power but good average and is hot right now. Oh did I menton he can hit from the left side. Look it up!
And Brandon you can;t trade Lee! He doesn't want to leave and he could void any trde 10-5 player
SS- Theriot
CF-Fukudome
lf-Soriano
rf-Bradley
1b-Lee
2b-Fontenot
3b-Camp
c-Soto
Pitcher
Theriot
Fukudome
Bradley
Soriano
Lee
Fox (3B - have to give it a shot)
Soto
Fontenot
P
Well, good thing Lou didn't listen to me earlier today seeing that Soriano just hit the game winning rbi today! Overall though, it still would be best to move Soriano out of leadoff and just force him into the role as a run producer at the 4 or 5 slot. I kinda like Rick's idea of moving Lee to #2. Platoon Reed Johnson and Fukudome at leadoff and force those 2 guys to just concentrate on getting on base. Plus, Reed Johnson has led off before full time when he was with the Blue Jays so he has experience at leadoff. Also still say that Jake Fox and Hoffpauir both should get more starts. Winning today's game doesn't mean the problem with this lineup has been solved by any means. Lou must continue to tinker with it.
Yep.
That Soriano sure does kill this team all right.
Sit him down.
Let me ask the Cub fans this.... what is all the love for Micha Hoffpauir all about?
A slow 29 year old career minor leager who is hitting .261 with 4 HRs and people wanting him to replace Soriano or Lee?
No one is saying Hoffpauir is a savior, just suggesting that he platoons with Lee at first or spell a struggling outfielder in a slump. It's Fox I'm more curious about anyway because he was tearing up Triple-A ball the last time I looked at his Minor league stats. Plus, if you've been following Lee in the first 2 months of this season (yes, 2 months, not a 2 week slump), he was downright horrible. He's been doing better as of late though, but it still doesn't excuse him for the horrendous start this season.
Cutler, Jay 6 QB
Forte, Matt 22 RB
McKie, Jason 37 FB
Plaxico Burress 17 WR
Hester, Devin 23 WR
Olsen, Greg 82 TE
Gould, Robbie 9 K
are you ready for some football?
No one's saying bench Soriano, just move him out of lead off. He deserves credit for his game winning hit yesterday, true, but it wasn't exactly a smash hit.
Cubs won because they have some studs. Lou better ride every last one of those horses and let the chips fall where they lie. Cubs have 140million dollar roster. PLEASE. Hendry and Lou can only do so much. Get out of the way and let the cream rise to the top. Soriano even looks like a horse. Just Too easy.
All I know is that the beloved White Sox outplayed those bums in the Confines, and if we had a 2nd baseman that can field routine grounders, the stuff would be hitting the fan about ................................................................................................................................................. now!
Garry Wilbur says:
No one's saying bench Soriano, just move him out of lead off. He deserves credit for his game winning hit yesterday, true, but it wasn't exactly a smash hit.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Really?
Go back and read the posts here including the story by Stu that started the discussion.
How many of them were all for benching Soriano?
Stu responds: Yeah, I'll admit I advised sitting Soriano for at least a game or two because he was in such a deep slump and his knee seemed to be bothering him. And he was left out of the lineups that several posters suggested. I'm still not convinced he's the kind of lead-off hitter that is going to take the Cubs to the World Series (he has been awful the last two Octobers). Another big comeback win by the Cubs today, and I remain convinced they will win the division. But as we said at the start of the season, all that really matters with this team is finding a way to win in the playoffs. Nothing they do is worth getting excited about until October (in fact, if they do clinch another division title, I suggest they skip the champagne celebration and focus on winning a postseason game).