First Spring Training Lineup Holds Clues for the Season
The Chicago Cubs will play their first Spring Training game tomorrow, and manager Lou Piniella has released the lineup for the game:
1. Ryan Theriot SS
2. Kosuke Fukudome RF
3. Derrek Lee 1B
4. Aramis Ramirez 3B
5. Marlon Byrd CF
6. Tyler Colvin LF
7. Mike Fontenot 2B
8. Geovany Soto C
9. Randy Wells P
Now, this lineup is, of course, both early and not necessarily indicative of the lineup Piniella has in his head for the regular season, but a few things should jump out at you.
First is, well, first. Ryan Theriot is batting leadoff, and not Kosuke Fukudome. This could be a sign that Piniella would rather have Theriot leadoff, generally, than Fukudome. Next, note that Marlon Byrd is fifth, with Tyler Colvin - who is holding Alfonso Soriano’s spot - batting sixth. This is almost certainly how things will play out at the start of the season, short of an offensive explosion for Soriano in Spring Training.
Then there is Mike Fontenot getting the nod at second base. This might mean nothing more than the fact that Fontenot was the presumptive starter last year, or that the Cubs expect to face a right-handed starter. But still, it’s interesting. It’s also interesting to see Geovany Soto all the way down in the 8 hole. Wouldn’t it be nice if he had a productive season?
ShareSomeone’s Gonna Bat Leadoff, But Lou Piniella Doesn’t Know Who
Most of the Chicago Cubs’ lineup this year is set. We know that Derrek Lee and Aramis Ramirez will hit three and four. We know that Marlon Byrd and Alfonso Soriano will hit five and six. We know that Geovany Soto and the second baseman will hit seven and eight.
But one spot yet undecided is at the top of the order. Who’s going to lead off?
Kosuke Fukudome and Ryan Theriot say they want the job, which manager Lou Piniella said he likes to hear, but he’s not sure which will get the job — or whether it will be a combination of the two.
”I haven’t thought about it all that much, to be honest,” Piniella said. ”We’ll see what happens here in the spring with it. We’ll just use one one day and use one the next, and we’ll see. It depends how they’re swinging the bat, depends on who the [opposing] pitcher is — there’ll be some variable.
”But we’d like to stay constant, too. We’ll come up with something.” CHICAGO SUN-TIMES.
Haven’t thought about it much? Really, Lou? I mean, I get the deflection technique, but isn’t it, like, your job to think about things like that? Aren’t you being paid (an insane) $4 million per season to think about things like that?
Now that I’ve got that out of my system, I’ll say: I continue to hope that Piniella will seriously consider a leadoff platoon. Kosuke Fukudome hits righties so much better than Ryan Theriot. Ryan Theriot hits lefties so much better than Kosuke Fukudome. Look, I get wanting consistency of role, but in this case, the splits are so stark and clear that I struggle coming up with reasons to do anything other than a flip/flop of Fukudome and Theriot based on who is on the mound.
ShareGeovany Soto is in Better Shape, Not on Drugs
It seems like eons ago that Geovany Soto broke out, and then took home the National League Rookie of the Year award. So terrible was his 2009 campaign that it obscures how tremendous he was just the year before. In 2008, he hit .285, had a .364 OBP, and a sparkling .504 slugging percentage. In 2009, those numbers plummeted to .218, .321, and .381, respectively. Health problems played a role, but so did a lack of conditioning and early-season distractions (of the herbal variety).
And then there was the speculation that Soto’s surprising offensive breakout in 2007 and 2008 - and it was very surprising - had been given a medicinal assist. Now, Soto says he’s back in shape, ready to go in 2010, and any speculation about performance-enhancing drugs is ridiculous.
“I’m anxious to go out there,” Soto said after taking a batting-practice session. “I’m anxious to play. I felt like (last year) was a knockout in the second round, if I was a boxer. So I’m just ready to go out there. I’m well trained. My head’s clear.
“I owe it to the fans and myself and my teammates, more importantly. I just want to be there for them.”…
Most statistical projections suggest Soto will bounce back this year. If there’s one stat that portends well, according to the number-crunchers, it’s Soto’s batting average on balls in play (BABIP) last year, which was .251, down from .337 from 2008. That suggests that Soto may have hit into some bad luck, with the batted balls that found holes in 2008 being caught in 2009.
No matter what the stats say, Soto says he knows he has to put himself in the best possible position to succeed in 2010.
Hence, the weight loss of about 40 pounds over this winter.
On Tuesday, he laughed off speculation the weight loss might have been caused by something sinister. There had been talk on Chicago’s airwaves that the weight loss may have been caused by Soto getting off performance-enhancing drugs.
“I laugh at that,” he said. “Throughout my whole life, I’ve had weight problems and stuff, and I’ve always been kind of immature in terms of diet, and never (would) stick to them. I had such a bad year that I was disappointed in myself, and I was willing to take that step and, ‘OK, I’m really going to work hard, and I’m really going to just take it to the next level.’
“To me, it’s just kind of ridiculous. I wasn’t strong; I was just fat. My whole life. I’ve had problems my whole life. Not problems, but I just wasn’t educated in a way.
“I stick to a program, and it’s worked. I’m really happy I did it because I feel a lot better. Now, I’m just worried about going to play baseball instead of my weight and my cardio in the morning. I just have a clear head. Do my work afterwards just like everybody else. I have a lot of energy.” Daily Herald.
A healthy, productive Soto completely transforms the Cubs lineup. Together with Alfonso Soriano, Soto’s performance this year may dictate how the Cubs’ season goes.
SharePitchers and Catchers Report Today - Except a Bunch Already Have
If you’re of the kind who likes to designate a day before Opening Day as the start to the 2010 season, today is probably that day.
Today is the official day that pitchers and catchers first report to Spring Training, but for the Chicago Cubs, it might just feel like another day at camp. A number of Cubs pitchers have been in Arizona for a while now, and both Geovany Soto and Koyie Hill showed up early.
In fact, a number of positional players - who are not due to report until February 23 - have long been in camp, including new Cub Marlon Byrd. He isn’t playing for a contract this year, so his enthusiasm to arrive so early is pretty exciting (yes, I’m aware of what I’ve said about the Marlon Byrd signing). As many as 15 positional players have already showed up, and the Chicago Cubs are clearly chomping at the collective bit to get the 2010 season underway.
The first, official team workout for pitchers and catchers is tomorrow.
ShareSpring Training Participants
Here’s a helpful recap of the players participating in Spring Training with the Chicago Cubs this year - pitchers and catchers report this week. Thanks to Bruce Miles for putting this together.
Pitchers: Mitch Atkins, Justin Berg, Esmailin Caridad, Ryan Dempster, Rafael Dolis, John Gaub, Tom Gorzelanny, John Grabow, Jeff Gray, Angel Guzman, Ted Lilly, Carlos Marmol, Sean Marshall, Marcos Mateo, Mike Parisi, Blake Parker, David Patton, Jeff Samardzija, Carlos Silva, Jeff Stevens, Randy Wells, Carlos Zambrano
Catchers: Welington Castillo, Koyie Hill, Geovany Soto
Infielders: Jeff Baker, Andres Blanco, Mike Fontenot, Micah Hoffpauir, Derrek Lee, Aramis Ramirez, Ryan Theriot
Outfielders: James Adduci, Marlon Byrd, Tyler Colvin, Kosuke Fukudome, Sam Fuld, Xavier Nady, Alfonso Soriano
Nonroster invitees
Pitchers: Andrew Cashner, Casey Coleman, Thomas Diamond, Jeff Kennard, J.R. Mathes, Vince Perkins, James Russell
Catchers: Robinson Chirinos, Steve Clevenger, Chris Robinson
Infielders: Darwin Barney, Starlin Castro, Blake Lalli, Kevin Millar, Chad Tracy, Josh Vitters
Outfielders: Matt Camp, Brett Jackson, Bryan LaHair, Bobby Scales, Brad Snyder
Obvious player to watch: Starlin Castro
Dark-horse candidates to watch: Darwin Barney, Blake Parker
Pitching prospect to watch: Andrew Cashner
Annual Rule 5 pick: Mike Parisi
I’d also suggest watching John Gaub, a lefty with a chance to make the pen, Jeff Stevens, a righty with a chance to make the pen (received from the Indians, together with Gaub and another prospect for Mark DeRosa), and Casey Coleman - the Cubs’ minor league pitcher of the year last year, whom I think could have a very outside shot at landing the fifth spot in the Cubs rotation.
ShareCarlos Zambrano is in Shape, and in Arizona
Pitchers and catchers report to Mesa, Arizona in 10 days, but that doesn’t stop them from showing up early if they’re so inclined.
And Carlos Zambrano is so inclined. And I am so inclined to say that is so awesome.
“We did it quietly,” general manager Jim Hendry said. “I don’t think he wanted any publicity for that. He’s going about his business well. I think you’re going to get a very well-focused guy who’s determined to rectify last year’s season.”
With Ted Lilly out until May, the onus will be on Zambrano and Ryan Dempster to get off to good starts and stay healthy, keeping the front end of the rotation afloat until Lilly returns. Zambrano stuck to his offseason workout routines, and the Cubs believe he’s committed to staying in shape.
“Carlos was a little heavy last year, there’s no question,” manager Lou Piniella told fans at the Cubs Convention. “He’s another player (besides Geovany Soto) we had a nice conversation with toward the end of the year.
“We said, ‘Look, we need for you to step up and give us 200-plus innings. We need for you to win 18-20 ballgames, the way you’re fully capable of. But to do that, you have to get yourself in better shape, where we don’t have to worry about pitch counts with you.’ ”
Piniella said Zambrano “promised” he would be in better shape and more focused.
“He looks absolutely wonderful, and I think you’ll see a heck of a better performance from him just because of that,” Piniella said. “The mental part of it? He’s mentally strong. He fights himself at times. He needs to harness that a little bit. But you want competitors on the mound, and Carlos certainly competes.” chicagotribune.com.
We’ve been hearing all offseason that Zambrano was in perhaps the best shape of his career, but to hear that he is also kicking it in gear this early probably proves it. Health is always the wild card, but clearly Carlos Zambrano is committed to dominating this year. If he can just keep it fit between the ears, he might just do it.
The status of his upper lip for this Spring Training - recall that Zambrano showed up last year looking like a mustachioed mix of Zorro and Ron Jeremy - has yet to be reported.
ShareLive Together, Die Alone: LOST and the Chicago Cubs
“Every man for himself is not going to work. It’s time to start organizing. We need to figure out how we’re going to survive here. Now, I found water. Fresh water, up in the valley. I’ll take a group in at first light. If you don’t want to go, then find another way to contribute. Last week most of us were strangers. But we’re all here now. And God knows how long we’re going to be here. But if we can’t live together, we’re going to die alone.” - Jack Shephard
I have generally avoided using this space to pontificate on things personal and outside of baseball. I figure you all come here to read about the Cubs, not my thoughts on health care reform. And for a guy who has an obsession with the television show LOST that is equaled only by his obsession with the Cubs, it’s hard not to go off about the show from time to time. Warning: this is one of those times.
But the truth is, this post is as much about the Cubs as it is about LOST. The parallels weaving their way through the show, the Chicago Cubs, and Cubs fandom are worth at least one, little article as we approach tonight’s premiere of the much-anticipated final season and dramatic conclusion of LOST. The article’s a bit longer than our usual fare here at Bleacher Nation, but I think it’s worth your time if you’re a fan of the Cubs or a fan of the show. Keep reading up on the Cubs-LOST crossover.
ShareThe 2010 Chicago Cubs Batting Order is Largely Set
Without too many moving parts from last year to this, the batting order for the Chicago Cubs is not as prone to questioning as it has been in years past. In fact, the main question - why in the sweet hell is Alfonso Soriano still leading off - mercifully faded away, for good, last year.
But the addition of new center fielder Marlon Byrd and departure of Milton Bradley did leave one lineup question: what changes with Byrd instead of Bradley? The answer: nothing. Manager Lou Piniella says Byrd will replace Bradley in the five hole.
“That, to me, is the most important thing to our team this year offensively — who hits fifth,” Piniella said at the annual Cubs Convention.
Piniella said he plans to take a look at both Kosuke Fukudome and Ryan Theriot as the team’s potential leadoff hitter. From there, he seems confident in his spring training order.
“We have Derrek Lee who’s a wonderful, wonderful three hitter,” Piniella said. “[Aramis]Ramirez is very productive at the four spot. And we’ve settled in with Soriano at the six hole, and I think he’s comfortable with it. We really just have the fifth hole to look at, and I’ve talked to the new hitting coach [Rudy Jaramillo] at length about Marlon, and he thinks he can fit in there.” ESPN Chicago.
That means the early favorite on the lineup is as follows:
1.) Ryan Theriot, SS / Kosuke Fukudome, RF
2.) Ryan Theriot, SS / Kosuke Fukudome, RF
3.) Derrek Lee, 1B
4.) Aramis Ramirez, 3B
5.) Marlon Byrd, CF
6.) Alfonso Soriano, LF
7.) Mike Fontenot, 2B / Jeff Baker, 2B
8.) Geovany Soto, C
9.) Pitcher
Piniella has suggested that Fontenot will hit 7th, and Soto 8th, but you’ve got to believe if Soto finds his stroke again, it will be hard to keep him at the bottom of the order. Oh, and not to mention: it might be hard for him to find his stroke again while hitting at the bottom of the order.
But today is a day for clarity, not complaints. There’s plenty of time to gripe about the order.
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