Working out kinks for the 2007 starting lineup

So much work and changes have developed during this off-season that the Chicago franchise seems to have finally got serious about winning. Let's just pray as Cub fans that these strides won't come to a screeching halt or efforts become lackluster when the season starts. All I've heard about in recent weeks is whether or not Alfonso Soriano should be the lead-off hitter. Pinella feels he is best suited to play centerfield, already making the announcement official. Playing in the outfield I'm okay with, but for an athletic, power hitter who's getting paid a $136 million contract I think management may want to reconsider him not being a lead-off hitter.

Yes, Soriano has speed and agility which are traits of good lead-off hitters. On the other hand, it's kind of stupid not to put such a guy in a spot where he can actually drive runs in and still have the opportunity to even get an extra at-bat in games. This is why I believe Alfonso would be better at the no. 2 hole, followed by Lee and Ramirez. The only other option that would sound logical is have him hit third in the lineup and move Jacque Jones or Michael Barrett to the 2 spot. Believe me, Derek Lee will see several more pitches in the strike zone in either scenario. NL pitchers won't dare be risky enough to walk the middle of the order.

Another bone I still have to pick with management, despite usually agreeing with Pinella's judgment is why on earth is Cesar Izturis in the expected starting lineup for '07, much less still in a Cubs uniform? Just because he was injured last year doesn't mean he's got a snowball's chance in hell of making up for a bum trade (Greg Maddux for a .259 career hitter, really? I still can't believe it!) and a total lack of production.

I just don't see the infielder providing any kind of spark to the Cubs lineup. Ronnie Cedeno has shown much more promise to me. Pulling in another ulitity player who can rotate with DeRosa and Cedeno is a good idea. The rotation looks okay for now. It's up to Sean Marshall, Rich Hill, and Mark Prior to prove they deserve a spot on the team in Spring Training.