The dillemma that surrounds Lou Piniella does not appear to be much of a dillema at all. Alfonso Soriano does not belong in the leadoff spot and in fact the same can be said about the two hole. One would think the obvious position in the line-up for Soriano would either be clean up or five because that would open the line-up for Ryan Theriot and Kosuke Fukodome at the top.
Soriano's quad injury that has apparently not healed from the end of last season has appeared to continue to hamper his ability to be a threat on the base paths. In his last year in Washington, the all star outfielder stole 41 bases compared to just 19 last year.
Add to the fact that Soriano has never been concerned with working the count or taking on the responsibilty of a lead off hitter. He could bat one, two, four or five and he would still look for the first fast ball to be thrown his way. Despite what Jim Hendry and the Cubs promised him last year, Soriano belongs in the heart of the order where his power can be used to its full potential.
The Cubs in fact have real speed and patience that they could use at the top of the line-up in the form of the aforementioned Ryan Theriot and Kosuke Fukodome. Theriot came out of nowhere last year to spark the Cub offense at the top of the order. Aside from stealing 28 bases, Theriot showed the ability to work counts as shown with 49 walks. The Japanese import, Fukodome, is your prototypical number two hitter. Despite batting just .229 this spring, he has shown great impatience at the plate as well as a quality eye.
It is time to put Alfonso Soriano as well as Ryan Theriot and Kosuke Fukodome in their proper positions in the line-up compared to where everything revolves around Soriano. This team has the ability to put a potent line-up out on the field for 162 games, but that can be comprised if Soriano stalls out in the lead off position or in the all important two hole.
Keywords: Alfonso Soriano, Chicago Cubs, Kosuke Fukodome, Lou Piniella, Ryan Theriot
