By the numbers; Who will lead off for the Cubs in 2009?

On my poll question (on the right sidebar on the blog main page) I ask, Who do you want to see leading off for the Cubs in 2009? So far 14 of the 23 voters have picked Brian Roberts. The rest of the results:
3 votes Figgins
2 votes Soriano
2 votes other
1 vote Reed Johnson
1 vote Theriot

If you haven't voted yet check out this breakdown and then cast your vote.

Brian Roberts: career- .284 BA, .355 OBP, .416 SLG; 2008- .296 BA, .378 OBP, .450 SLG
Chone Figgins: career- .290 BA, .356 OBP, .387 SLG; 2008- .276 BA, .367 OBP, .318 SLG
Alfonso Soriano: career- .282 BA, .329 OBP, .518 SLG; 2008- .280 BA, .344 OBP, .532 SLG
Reed Johnson: in 2006 Reed lead all lead off hitters with a .390 OBP
Ryan Theriot: impressive numbers when leading off in 2007 and 2008.

6 days left to vote, The debate continues...

Please comments and/or cast your vote.

New Cubs Poll

Be sure to vote on our new Cubs poll on the right side bar. Thanks to everyone that voted on our last poll. Do you think Alfonso is really a lead off hitter? Remember your comments are welcome on any of my posts and it's easy to comment- you don't even have to log in or anything like that.

Also Here's the link to the Cubs 2008 in Review from Cubs.com.

Why Don't the Cubs Get Manny Ramirez?

It seem to me that the Cubs need someone who can hit the ball out of the ballpark more consistently. We need a guy who hits well in the postseason every year. We need someone who tears up the best pitchers in the game. Hasn't anyone noticed the guy that knocked us out of the playoffs is a free agent? The Cubs should go after Manny Ramirez!!
Let's focus on postseason numbers:
Manny- .286 BA, .399 OBP, .550 SLG
Milton Bradley- 13-42, 11 Games, 4 HR
Aramis Ramirez- .194 BA, .299 OBP, .433 SLG
Alfonso Soriano- .213 BA, .263 OBP, .299 SLG

And here's the career numbers.
Soriano- .282 BA, .344 OBP, .532 SLG
Aramis Ramirez- .284 Ba, .341 OBP, .502 SLG
Bradley- .280 BA, .370 OBP, .457 SlG
Manny- .314 BA, .411 OBP, .593 SLG

And the 2008 Numbers-
Manny- .332 BA, .430 OBP, .601 SLG, 37 HR, 121 RBI
A. Ramirez- .289 BA, .380 OBP, .518 SLG, 27 HR, 111 RBI
Soriano- .280 BA, .344 OBP, .532 SLG, 29 HR, 75 RBI
Bradley- .321 BA, .436 OBP, .563 SLG, 22 HR, 77 RBI

So the numbers don't lie. Manny Ramirez is the guy the Cubs need, but I don't think there is any chance they will spend the money on him. I'll settle for Milton Bradley, his numbers we higher than Sori and Aramis's in 2008! But I really think the Cubs should be trying to get Manny. What do you think?

Jim Hendry on Sports Central

Cubs GM Jim Hendry visited with David Kaplan to talk about the Cubs remaining offseason plans on Sports Central on WGN Radio last night. Here's my recap:

• Jim says that the economy is taking an effect on the baseball world. He says the Cubs are fortunate the their payroll didn't go down. He says some clubs are going to take more cutbacks than others.
• Kap suggested the Cubs getting a right handed bat that hits left handers. He says the Cubs still would prefer a left handed or switch hitter.
• An email asked if the Cubs ever considered moving Soriano back to second base. Jim says that Sori will stay in left field.
• Another question asked if Hendry still sees getting another starter. Jim says that you might try to make something work with an elite guy but the Cubs aren't searching for another starter but says that the new owner might have an impact on things like this.
• Jim says the if Greg Maddox wants to work with the Cubs he can work in Chicago any time he wants, he thinks Greg will get away from the game for some time and then might get back into baseball in some way.
• Kap asked about Ryan Sandberg. Jim said that the Cubs don't get hung up on moving up the latter with coaches in the minor leagues like players do. He says Rhino's done a terrific job in Peoria for 2 years and in the Arizona Fall League. He thinks that Sandberg can be a big league coach some day.
• Kap asked for thought about Kerry Wood. Jim think Kerry ended up in a great place and says that he will root for Woody except when he plays the Cubs for the rest of his career.
• Hendry said that Gathright was a real good sign that gains the Cubs speed and depth. Jim wants to add one more left handed hitting outfielder to the mix out there.
• Jim says that he likes Adam Dunn and says that the situation is his defense. He wouldn't rule a terrific hitter off the Cubs list though.
• Kap asked about DeRosa. Hendry said that he is just trying to make the Cubs better and sometimes you might have to consider trading someone you really like.