Should Soriano be in Left Field in the Ninth Inning

Defensive substitution. I am sure I have heard that term before, so I looked it up. According to Brittanica Online, “Defensive substitutions are common in the late innings of a game when a team is protecting a lead. A fleet-footed outfielder, for example, will replace a slower player who is more valued for his hitting.”

Maybe we should send this excerpt to Lou Piniella. What in the world are we doing with Alfonso Soriano in left field in the bottom of the ninth inning with a one run lead!? On Sunday we were down to our last available position player, Mike Fontenot. I have seen Lou use the last position player in the eighth inning, so that shouldn’t be an excuse. Soriano was the second to last batter in the Cub half of the inning, so realistically we didn’t have any expectation that he would hit again this game. Put Fontenot at second and DeRosa in left in this game. Maybe DeRosa misses the ball too, I don’t know. I just know we aren’t paying Soriano to catch. Good thing for him, he would be missing a lot of paychecks.

In a more typical game where we haven’t exhausted our bench, it appears we have multiple options to get him out of the game.

I haven’t seen Micah Hoffpauir play left field, so I can’t comment on his abilities. That would be one option if needed. When he doesn’t start, he has typically been used as a pinch hitter and a simple double switch does the trick.

DeRosa can be moved to right field with the insertion of Cedeno or Fontenot, and we can shift Fukudome to center and Reed Johnson to left field.

If Edmonds is playing center, insert Reed Johnson directly into left field. Like Hoffpauir, double switch with Johnson as your pinch hitter.

I am done blaming Soriano for his defense. His offense will make up for early inning mistakes. Ninth inning blunders now belong squarely on the shoulders of Lou Piniella.

Check out the artwork that typifies the Soriano experience.