A New Cubs Lineup

At the Chicago Cubs spring training camp in Mesa, Arizona, manager Lou Piniella told reporters he plans to shake up the team's batting order. The biggest change in the lineup? Left fielder Alfonso Soriano, who for the past two seasons has batted in the leadoff spot for the Cubs. Piniella said he's considering putting Soriano in the middle of the order. This would give other guys a chance at the lead spot, like shortstop Ryan Theriot, who was one of three Cubs to hit .300 (with at least 100 at-bats) or better. With the off-season acquisition of Milton Bradley, and the moving of Soriano down to the middle of the lineup, the Cubs will have a very potent and powerful hitter's row from batters three through six.

This is a move I've been calling for since the Cubs first signed Soriano. I've had numerous arguments over the years about Soriano's place in the lineup. Yeah, the solo homerun at the beginning of a game is great, but what if that first inning homerun came from Soriano in the fifth spot with two guys on base? Here's the way I would set up the Cubs batting order:

SS Ryan Theriot
2B Mike Fontenot
3B Aramis Ramirez
RF Milton Bradley
LF Alfonso Soriano
1B Derrick Lee
C Geovany Soto
CF Reed Johnson
Pitcher

Theriot led the National League last year with 154 singles, and led the Cubs with 22 stolen bases. That sounds like a leadoff hitter to me. Mike Fontenot has shown that he can hit for average (.305) and and a little bit of power (9 homeruns in 109 games), which has made Cubs broadcaster Ron Santo to call him "Little Babe Ruth." Ramirez has been the most consistent and clutch power hitter the Cubs have, it's time to move him to the third spot. I think Bradley would work best in the four hole because he would have Soriano and Lee to protect him. With Soriano in the fifth spot there would be more guys on base for when he hits the long ball. Lee has not been the same power hitter he used to be since he broke his wrist in 2006, but he is still a good hitter and would thrive in the six hole. NL Rookie of the Year Soto would reprise his role in the seventh spot. Lastly, I personally like Reed Johnson to start regularly in center field over Kosuke Fukudome. He's a tough out at the plate, a smart baserunner, and an excellent outfielder.

Either way, the Cubs won 97 games last year in the regular season, and there's no reason to think they won't repeat that. If having to decide where to bat Soriano is their biggest issue, I think the Cubs will be alright.