Ryan Theriot started at shortstop today because Cesar Isturiz and Ronny Cedeno just are not cutting it
After twenty games, head coach Lou Pinella finally realized what Cubs' fans have noticed the past few years...the problems in the line-up are who is leading off and playing shortstop.
Finally, in an attempt to avoid a sweep at the hands of the first-place Milwaukee Brewers, Pinella inserted the speedy, energetic Ryan Theriot in the lead-off spot and at shortstop. Theriot has been playing extremely well so far, and continues to prove that he can hit over .300. Last season, in only 53 games of action, Theriot batted .328, had a impressive .412 OBP, and hit 11 doubles, three triples, and three homers. So far this season, he is batting .339 with a .362 OBP, scored ten runs, and snagged five stolen bases that leads the team.
It is clear that Theriot is the answer to the problems of the Cubs' lead-off man and the lack of production at shortstop. Cesar Isturiz is batting a weak .184, while Ronny Cedeno has a dismal .100 average. Neither Isturiz or Cedeno seem to be able to get the clutch hit with two outs or be able to drive the ball to all fields. Theriot on the other hand brings the ability to hit to all fields and clutch hitting as he got a big two-out, two-run single against the Brewers earlier today. On top of all that, Theriot can bring more speed to the line-up with his five stolen bases and constant motor.
Hopefully, Pinella has realized that Isturiz and Cedeno are not the answer at shortstop and Theriot is because he has played the position before in the minors, while being able to hit for a high average. Isturiz and Cedeno will never hit for a high average over a long season. Isturiz has not hit above .280 since the 2004 season with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Since then, he has been marred by injury and batted right around .250. Everyone talks about his amazing defense, but there is a lot more to gain with Theriot playing everyday at short than Isturiz or Cedeno.In the end, one of them needs to be moved. Either Isturiz needs to be traded or Cedeno needs to be sent back down to the minors. The best move right now would be to give Cedeno the opportunity to play everyday and send him back to Des Moines to play Triple A. While Isturiz can remain the utility infielder and bench player.
In regards to the lead-off position, for all those that think Felix Pie (pronounced pee-yay) is ready to handle the burden, you are mistaken. As for anyone who honestly still thinks Alfonso Soriano should be leading off, well it's time to wake up and face the music. Pie should be playing everyday in centerfield because he is a sensational defender, and at any moment at the plate can turn a single into a double, or a double into a triple. He has blazing speed, and it will only be a matter of time before he gets his swing going in the big leagues. Pie was batting .444 before he was called up this year.
However, Pie shouldn't be thrust into the lead-off role when you have someone of Theriot's ability. Pie also strikes out too much still as he has seven K's in only 33 at-bats. He should be given time to adjust to the big leagues by hitting in the eight hole and Soriano should drop to the two spot. Let's face it Cubs nation, Soriano was the lead-off man in Washington because they had no one else to put there, but he is not the man for the job in Chicago. Soriano is batting .267 with a .302 OBP, and 13 strikeouts in 60 at-bats. He also has yet to hit a homer and has one lousy RBI. Cubs' GM Jim Hendry did not sign Soriano to a eight-year, $136 million contract to put up measly numbers like that.
Imagine the Cubs line-up as such:
1. Theriot SS
2. Soriano LF
3. Lee 1B
4. Rameriz 3B
5. Floyd/Murton RF (Jacque Jones can be traded)
6. Barret C
7. DeRosa 2B
8. Pie CF
9. Pitcher
Any pitcher attempting to plow through that line-up will have a hell of a time. Putting Soriano, Lee, and Rameriz back-to-back-to-back will make the opposing pitcher have to work extra hard and not be able to make a mistake. Leaving Soriano in the lead-off spot just doesn't make any sense with his ability to drive in runs. He only hit .277 last year and has a career .325 OBP. The solution is to allow Theriot to play everyday and put the three-headed monster of Soriano, Lee, and Rameriz together in the line-up.
I don't expect all my wishes to be followed, but I think it is evident that Theriot is the man and deserves a shot to play everyday. Hopefully, come Friday in St. Louis a new shortstop in the history of the Cubs will get his shot to show everyone that he is capable of leading off and playing shortstop.
