2008 Chicago Cubs

[bluengold34_OS]

Re: 2008 Chicago Cubs

what are your thoughts on the best lineup for the Cubs?
yesterday, we had
Theriot-Soriano-Lee-Ramirez-Fukudome-DeRosa-Blanco-Pie

I will offer that the following is best...
Theriot
Lee
Soriano
Ramirez
Fukudome
Soto
DeRosa
Pie


That would be fantastic...Lee would kill in the 2 hole (his 3 hole days are behind him), and ARam protecting Soriano would be pretty nice, though there are a lot of strikeouts there...I could see going ARam, Fuku, Soriano 3-4-5, but I don't know if Soriano would go for that, though it might be more productive than the above.

Actually I really love this lineup, the only thing that is bothersome is Riot's OBP( .326 ) and he struck out more than he walked ( 50 so/ 49 walks ) I do like his speed though at the top and his base running ability as he stole like 28 bases and only got caught 4 or 5 times. If he can get that OBP up to the .350/.370 mark I would feel a little more comfortable w/ him leading off.

So far I have been impressed with Lieber, Marquis and Marshall this spring training. I would really like like to see what Gallagher and Hart have though, I know they need a little more time though.

[Happy29]

Re: 2008 Chicago Cubs

I am still to the thinking that the Roberts trade will happen. If so this is what I think the lineup should be

Roberts
Soriano
Lee
Ramirez
Fukudome
Soto
Theriot
Pie

Speed at the top and bottom of the line up power in the middle this lineup to me looks very solid. With Roberts obp being over .350 Soriano should see more fastballs and could lead to more homeruns

[bluengold34_OS]

Re: 2008 Chicago Cubs

I am still to the thinking that the Roberts trade will happen. If so this is what I think the lineup should be

Roberts
Soriano
Lee
Ramirez
Fukudome
Soto
Theriot
Pie

Speed at the top and bottom of the line up power in the middle this lineup to me looks very solid. With Roberts obp being over .350 Soriano should see more fastballs and could lead to more homeruns

I read again this week that this deal is far from dead, and the Orioles are just being very thorough on who they want, they have sent scouts to scout the upcoming weeks worth of exh. games for the Cubs. I don't mind giving up Cedeno, and even Marshall, but I really hope we do not let go of Gallagher. It's not like he is a for sure prospect, but I do like what I have seen, and read.

[Happy29]

Re: 2008 Chicago Cubs

I read again this week that this deal is far from dead, and the Orioles are just being very thorough on who they want, they have sent scouts to scout the upcoming weeks worth of exh. games for the Cubs. I don't mind giving up Cedeno, and even Marshall, but I really hope we do not let go of Gallagher. It's not like he is a for sure prospect, but I do like what I have seen, and read.

I think it's going to happen soon. Maybe not by opening day but by the end of April

[bluengold34_OS]

Re: 2008 Chicago Cubs

I think it's going to happen soon. Maybe not by opening day but by the end of April

I would agree w/ this statement, and Bjowers, what is a Cubs fan doing way down there. I lived in Baton Rouge for two years as my wife finished at LSU. Then our little friend Katrina hit, and we decided that the South ( Gulf Coast Region ) was not for us....lol. There's not a lot of Cubs fans down there, but a lot of college baseball fans, which was pretty cool

[ZM Punk]

Re: 2008 Chicago Cubs

what are your thoughts on the best lineup for the Cubs?
yesterday, we had
Theriot-Soriano-Lee-Ramirez-Fukudome-DeRosa-Blanco-Pie

I will offer that the following is best...
Theriot
Lee
Soriano
Ramirez
Fukudome
Soto
DeRosa
Pie


That would be fantastic...Lee would kill in the 2 hole (his 3 hole days are behind him), and ARam protecting Soriano would be pretty nice, though there are a lot of strikeouts there...I could see going ARam, Fuku, Soriano 3-4-5, but I don't know if Soriano would go for that, though it might be more productive than the above.

If its the Soriano of last year then that would be the perfect place for him. But if its the Soriano of old he shouldn't be dropped any lower than the two hole. If you got him in the middle of the order that takes his base stealing strengths away from him. You don't want a Ramirez taking pitches so that Soriano can run, you want Ramirez up there driving in runs.

Now if its the Soriano of last year thats not going to run I think the 3 spot is perfect for him.

[fugazi]

Re: 2008 Chicago Cubs

Soriano probably doesn't have a whole lot of base-stealing left in him...
I am admittedly obsessed with putting Lee at #2...I think it is a match made in heaven when it comes to his approach and skills at the plate.
Similar to the post 2 or 3 up re: Soriano at #2, Lee at 2 would see lots of fastballs with the leadoff man on, and if Soriano was in the 3 spot, he would have ARam protecting him and a high likelihood of Theriot/Roberts or Lee on base, which means good pitches to hit and higher-than-his-anemic-average-RBIs.

[krishna]

Re: 2008 Chicago Cubs

the obvious question is who gives a crap. the lineup doesn't matter. what matters is getting that pathetic waste of a roster spot ryan theriot out of the lineup.

[Happy29]

Re: 2008 Chicago Cubs

I would agree w/ this statement, and Bjowers, what is a Cubs fan doing way down there. I lived in Baton Rouge for two years as my wife finished at LSU. Then our little friend Katrina hit, and we decided that the South ( Gulf Coast Region ) was not for us....lol. There's not a lot of Cubs fans down there, but a lot of college baseball fans, which was pretty cool

I lived here all my life aint no hurricane going to scare me off. Would rather have one of them then a snow storm. Summer of 05 was bad for us though me and my wife had to bury our daughter and then a month later we lost everything in Katrina. But we have a close relationship with God are happy and have better days ahead of us. And I do hear it a lot being the only Cubs surrounded by a bunch of Braves fans, I am a die hard fan though every year is our year and I never give up on them.

[yvesdereuter]

Re: 2008 Chicago Cubs

If its the Soriano of last year then that would be the perfect place for him. But if its the Soriano of old he shouldn't be dropped any lower than the two hole. If you got him in the middle of the order that takes his base stealing strengths away from him. You don't want a Ramirez taking pitches so that Soriano can run, you want Ramirez up there driving in runs.

Now if its the Soriano of last year thats not going to run I think the 3 spot is perfect for him.

Thats not necessarily the case. Having Soriano in front of Ramirez could be good in that Ramirez is likely to see more fastballs with Soriano at first. So having the SB threat could actually help Ramirez drive in more runs.

[chippered]

Re: 2008 Chicago Cubs

The key to the lineup questions, imo, is how Soriano reacts to whatever spot in the order he winds up. I'd love to see him somewhere 3-5 and putting up power numbers like he did in Washington.

Again, how he deals with the change will determine a lot.

And I dont mind Theriot in the leadoff spot. For a younger guy he did a good job there last year, and I think he'll only improve.

[bluengold34_OS]

Re: 2008 Chicago Cubs

I lived here all my life aint no hurricane going to scare me off. Would rather have one of them then a snow storm. Summer of 05 was bad for us though me and my wife had to bury our daughter and then a month later we lost everything in Katrina. But we have a close relationship with God are happy and have better days ahead of us. And I do hear it a lot being the only Cubs surrounded by a bunch of Braves fans, I am a die hard fan though every year is our year and I never give up on them.

Man, sorry to hear about all of that BJ, that takes a strong man/marriage to get through all of that. there is no easy way to recover, but it sounds like your faith, great marriage, and strong will is leading you into better times.

When you put all that you have encountered up against us crying about lineups and dumb moves/transaction and poor player performance, into perspective....God bless ya brother

Here is too a great Cubs season, and good fortune for you and yours this upcoming summer!!

PS: I understand the whole " hearing it from other fans" I lived in St Louis the last 2 years( 25 minutes from Busch Stadium ) talk about living in the hornets nest, that was an interesting 2 years as I made probably it to 10 Cubs/Cards games.....thankfully we did very well at Busch the last 2 years.

[Happy29]

Re: 2008 Chicago Cubs

Thanks for your empathy at times it is tough but like I said I am well knowing she is with the Lord. And my prayer is everyone has that same relationship that I have with Christ. But I am not going to preach here but leave an open invitation for all to learn more just PM me. As for the Cubs I really think this year could be the one that sees them as world series champs finally

Man, sorry to hear about all of that BJ, that takes a strong man/marriage to get through all of that. there is no easy way to recover, but it sounds like your faith, great marriage, and strong will is leading you into better times.

When you put all that you have encountered up against us crying about lineups and dumb moves/transaction and poor player performance, into perspective....God bless ya brother

Here is too a great Cubs season, and good fortune for you and yours this upcoming summer!!

PS: I understand the whole " hearing it from other fans" I lived in St Louis the last 2 years( 25 minutes from Busch Stadium ) talk about living in the hornets nest, that was an interesting 2 years as I made probably it to 10 Cubs/Cards games.....thankfully we did very well at Busch the last 2 years.

[Mo]

Re: 2008 Chicago Cubs

Wood Named Closer, Marquis Fifth Starter.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/spring...ory?id=3309506

[ZM Punk]

Re: 2008 Chicago Cubs

Thats not necessarily the case. Having Soriano in front of Ramirez could be good in that Ramirez is likely to see more fastballs with Soriano at first. So having the SB threat could actually help Ramirez drive in more runs.

Well thats a double edge sword.

He will see more fastballs but at the same time he will have to be patient and take some pitches in order for Soriano to steal bases.

But like I said all this is dependent on whether Soriano gets back to his base stealing ways.