Leadoff dilemma: Theriot or Soriano?

[Howling Mad]

Theriot has done Phenomenal at the leadoff spot, but Soriano has always stated he is most comfortable there?

Who gets it?

Theriot has an OBP over .350, which is what you want from a leadoff spot; always hustles and always manages to get on base and cause havoc.

Soriano has had two injuries involving his legs, which handicaps his speed. One injury early to his hamstring, and now to his quads, or the other way around, whatever. Does he have the speed he normally does, or should he move down in the order and concentrate on HRs and driving in runs?

Can you tell which way I'm swaying?

[IbreakNeckZ101]

Theriot should bat lead-off but when soriano comes back soriano will be placed back at the leadoff spot heres why... Soriano has more power on this team than anyone thinks... i can remember recalling back in washington that he refused to move to LF while he was playing at 2nd and a situation happened back in texas where he was dropped down the order and he didn't want it and had psychogical issues when he was dropped kinda like "hey if you drop me in the order i just won't perform that's how it is."

[IbreakNeckZ101]

statistically Soriano as horrible stats when not hitting leadoff... unless someone has stats to prove me wrong because im not 100% sure. It's hard figuring out this guy..

[Posey H8er]

I always thought that Soriano was not fit to be a lead-off hitter. He is a power hitter that strikes out a lot. Theriot has a little higher .OBP, and as of now has healthier legs to run. Soriano would be a great replacement for that 5 hitter we always complain that we don't have. Plus, it gives you speed in the middle of the order as well.

[FRKMSTR]

I always thoght Soriano should not be the lead off hitter, most of his home runs have come with no one on base, if he bats in the middle there is a greater chance of runner on base.

In my opinion the perfect lineup should be:

Theriot
DeRosa
Lee
Ramirez
Soriano
Jones
Murton
Kendall
P

You can swich Jones and Murton, this lineup would be devasting.

Soriano already has his contract and he needs to play and bat where he is told and Piniella will convince him if he wants the team to win him batting 5th would give us the better chance of winning.

[Posey H8er]

I always thoght Soriano should not be the lead off hitter, most of his home runs have come with no one on base, if he bats in the middle there is a greater chance of runner on base.

In my opinion the perfect lineup should be:

Theriot
DeRosa
Lee
Ramirez
Soriano
Jones
Murton
Kendall
P

You can swich Jones and Murton, this lineup would be devasting.

Soriano already has his contract and he needs to play and bat where he is told and Piniella will convince him if he wants the team to win him batting 5th would give us the better chance of winning.

FTW, I agree with you 100%.

[ChicagoTRS]

I like Theriot at the top of the order...but I also think Soriano is a bad fit at #5...he needs protection or he will see too many breaking pitches. Maybe bat him #4 with Ram at #5.

Theriot is a very pleasant surprise...it is nice to have a legit position player come out of the farm system.

[GYBE]

If Soriano can get his head around not batting leadoff, Theriot in the spot is a no-brainer. It's just common sense to have your best power hitter hitting with guys on base, and he doesn't get on base himself enough to be valuable as a leadoff man.

[IbreakNeckZ101]

Soriano will never bat 5th...