Ok , I have now about had it with Lou

[LeeEila's/rant]

He came out earlier this week and said he talked to Fonzi about moving off lead off and , today said he was just kidding !!!!!!


What the hell is up with him ?????????? Ok , it is bad enough that he even thought he had to get Sori's approval to move him but , to back up on it the next day is ridiculous !! :eek:

If the Ricketts get this team the first move they should make is swapping the guy from the booth with the guy in the dugout !!!

Yes , I think Brenly would be better just because there is one thing about Bob , he is decisive and doesn't show favoritism or play games.

[cubsfan162512]

i really don't see the big deal. Soriano still is the best option for leadoff at this point

[TheBenjamin]

i agree, we have no other option for leadoff

[Bockstock]

Personally, Id be more pissed off about Miles not only starting at 2b over Fontenot but batting second

Miles is the definition of replacement-level production. The level of production between him and Fontenot is pretty significant.

But alas its ST and Lou says alot of cooky stuff, I think to throw the idiots in the chicago sports media for a loop..

I like Brenley, but he definitely shows favoritism.

[Madden King]

i really don't see the big deal. Soriano still is the best option for leadoff at this point
Why doesn't Lou find out if he's the best option or not?! The bottom line is that Soriano is not the type of guy you want leading off. There has to be a better option than him. That's what spring training is for.

[LeeEila's/rant]

Why doesn't Lou find out if he's the best option or not?! The bottom line is that Soriano is not the type of guy you want leading off. There has to be a better option than him. That's what spring training is for.

EXACTLY !!!!! WTG !!!!

We will be having competition at most positions , why not have one for leadoff ?

The thing is we had our soft under-belly exposed in the playoffs. ( Lou got pantsed by Torry ) We have to have a lead guy that takes pitches , I don't care if he can run or strikes out as long as it takes ten or more pitches to do so . We can't let the pitcher get his stride early in the game.

[LeeEila's/rant]

Personally, Id be more pissed off about Miles not only starting at 2b over Fontenot but batting second

Miles is the definition of replacement-level production. The level of production between him and Fontenot is pretty significant.

But alas its ST and Lou says alot of cooky stuff, I think to throw the idiots in the chicago sports media for a loop..

I like Brenley, but he definitely shows favoritism.

I agree and am getting quite pissed over the bigotry towards Fontenot !

Miles is the perfect replacement player and would be best used as such .

I really believe that Lou is detached and just phoning it in hoping the abundance of talent just takes over.

[KingKong10]

just home games alone - he's got to take a few pitches to give OUR pitcher a few minutes to rest.

step out there and take the first pitch. then go back to the circle and add some pine tar to the bat.

when you foul a ball away, stop and look at your bat and pretend you are examining it for cracks.

walk 1/2 way down the line to the 3b coach and go over signs

you have to know how to stall to be a good leadoff hitter.

and this is not just Soriano -
whenever our guy labors thru and inning and maybe throws 30 pitches - everyone due up better be thinking STALL tactics.

i blame managers and coaches when you don't see players doing this.

[TheBenjamin]

I dont see anyone complaining when he takes the first or second pitch deep to give us a 1-0 lead before you take your seat. Problem is, over his career, he has been put in various spots in the lineup. His batting average has taken a huge dip and he is no where near as good as he is in the leadoff spot. numbers only tell half the story, but the stats that you get when you look at how he has performed elsewhere in the order tell most of the Alfonso Soriano Story. He is nowhere near as good anywhere else.

[LeeEila's/rant]

I dont see anyone complaining when he takes the first or second pitch deep to give us a 1-0 lead before you take your seat. Problem is, over his career, he has been put in various spots in the lineup. His batting average has taken a huge dip and he is no where near as good as he is in the leadoff spot. numbers only tell half the story, but the stats that you get when you look at how he has performed elsewhere in the order tell most of the Alfonso Soriano Story. He is nowhere near as good anywhere else.

So the concern is what is best for Soriano ?

[Bockstock]

just home games alone - he's got to take a few pitches to give OUR pitcher a few minutes to rest.

step out there and take the first pitch. then go back to the circle and add some pine tar to the bat.

when you foul a ball away, stop and look at your bat and pretend you are examining it for cracks.

walk 1/2 way down the line to the 3b coach and go over signs

you have to know how to stall to be a good leadoff hitter.

and this is not just Soriano -
whenever our guy labors thru and inning and maybe throws 30 pitches - everyone due up better be thinking STALL tactics.

i blame managers and coaches when you don't see players doing this.


Yea, it's the coaches fault.

This is the most absurd thing I have ever read, especially after a year in which the Cubs led the league in OBP.
yeah let's blame the coaches for the cubs improved patience for the second-straight year. They did a terrible job.

They should emphasize rubbing dirt in your hands, taking more practice swings and doing important stuff like that.

[Bockstock]

So the concern is what is best for Soriano ?

Soriano giving the cubs a 1-0 lead is selfish??

Te point he was making is that (according to this soriano lineup position theory, which I don't buy but that's not the point) you're probably giving more at-bats to a less productive hitter at the top of the lineup, and putting Soriano in a spot where he has performed at lower levels. In this situation, two negatives don't equal a positive.

Then you have the whole argument about Soriano sucking with RISP that people will rip on him for in the #5/#6 spot (again, not true).

[LeeEila's/rant]

Soriano giving the cubs a 1-0 lead is selfish??

Te point he was making is that (according to this soriano lineup position theory, which I don't buy but that's not the point) you're probably giving more at-bats to a less productive hitter at the top of the lineup, and putting Soriano in a spot where he has performed at lower levels. In this situation, two negatives don't equal a positive.

Then you have the whole argument about Soriano sucking with RISP that people will rip on him for in the #5/#6 spot (again, not true).

Soriano is more productive than Ramirez ? Using the same logic , why not hit him first.

[TheBenjamin]

So the concern is what is best for Soriano ?

whats best for Soriano is best for the team. Would you rather him hit .300 in leadoff or .260 is the 3-5 hole

[LeeEila's/rant]

whats best for Soriano is best for the team. Would you rather him hit .300 in leadoff or .260 is the 3-5 hole

It really could be argued that at .260 with the table set before him there would be more run production from him. If it is about him seeing fast balls you sandwich him in the middle with Bradley and Rammy he will see more of them.

I just can not rap my head around the argument of lead off using what is best for the player as the bases. I could almost accept someone coming from the idea of a prototypical lead off guy is antiquated in modern baseball.

[TheBenjamin]

last season, him leading off worked out great for us, because the bottom of the order got on base, and he had men on base quite often. If that continues to be the case, I have no issue with him leading off, a place where he is most comfortable

[LeeEila's/rant]

This is just a fun debate amongst ourselves because we all know Lou will do what ever he wants. I just hope he offers more communication with his players this year.

[TheBenjamin]

i hope he does what he has the past two years..... with one exception. win in the post season :D