When the White Sox went about remodeling last winter, perhaps the most important component was the addition of leadoff man Scott Podsednik.
Podsednik created havoc on the bases for pitchers as he stole 57 bases in helping to lead the White Sox to a World Series championship.
Can the acquisition of Juan Pierre have the same impact for the Cubs? Long considered one of the game’s best at the top of the order, Pierre stole 57 bases (49 while in the leadoff spot) in what was considered a “down” season. Of course, 57 was only eight short of the Cubs’ team total last year.
The importance of a leadoff man–as the White Sox and now the Cubs have demonstrated in paying such high talent prices for Podsednik and Pierre–in this post-steroids environment is immeasurable. So is deciding who are the best leadoff men.
One thing is certain: The Red Sox and Yankees wouldn’t have been among baseball’s very best teams without Johnny Damon and Derek Jeter, although they had powerhouse lineups behind them as well.
Choosing the best leadoff men is subjective, but no one doubts the Cubs will be better with Pierre, even if he doesn’t return to his form of 2000-2004.
As a team last season, the Cubs were last in the league in leadoff batting average (.245) and next to last in leadoff runs scored and on-base percentage. During the 2003 playoffs, they saw first-hand what Pierre can do when he had 10 hits, two walks, a stolen base and five runs scored for the Marlins in the seven-game National League Championship Series.
Top leadoff hitters
Here’s a ranking, with statistics gleaned solely from the No. 1 spot in the order:
1. Johnny Damon, Yankees
Not as fast as he was, but led leadoff men in batting average and was fourth in on-base percentage for Red Sox last season.
2. Derek Jeter, Yankees
Probably will move to No. 2 with Damon on board, but was baseball’s best last year at getting on base from leadoff spot (.391).
3. Ichiro Suzuki, Mariners
It may have been “off” year for Ichiro with .304 batting average and only tie for ninth-best on-base percentage, but he remains among finest.
4. Rafael Furcal, Dodgers
First choice for Cubs because he played shortstop, Furcal hit 12 homers and added 46 stolen bases, but hit “only” .285.
5. Chone Figgins, Angels
A real pest, he stole 50 bases while getting on base same amount as Scott Podsednik; talented lineup behind him.
6. Jimmy Rollins, Phillies
Often overlooked, he scored 114 runs while hitting 38 doubles and 11 triples to go with his 40 stolen bases.
7. Scott Podsednik, White Sox
Does what leadoff batter should: gets on base (ninth best) and steals bases (57); low RBI total (25).
8. Juan Pierre, Cubs
Last season’s 15th-best on-base percentage from leadoff spot belies 49 stolen bases and ability to make lineup better when he’s a runner.
9. Grady Sizemore, Indians
Could become one of best with age, hit .290 and scored 101 runs but added only 18 stolen bases.
10. Brian Roberts, Orioles
Third in batting average and on-base percentage but not particularly fast. Overlooked because of weak lineup behind him.
11. Brady Clark, Brewers
Only 10 stolen bases but third leadoff in on-base percentage and fourth in batting average.
12. David Eckstein, Cardinals
Not very fast, he is in top six in batting average and on-base percentage and can do anything asked of him.
CUBS PREVIEW
CUBS
Last year: 79-83, 4th.
Manager: Dusty Baker
Cornerstones: 1B Derrek Lee, 3B Aramis Ramirez, C Michael Barrett, RHP Carlos Zambrano, RHP Mark Prior, RHP Ryan Dempster.
Additions: LHP Scott Eyre, RHP Bobby Howry, OF Jacque Jones, OF John Mabry, RHP Wade Miller, CF Juan Pierre.
Losses: OF Jeromy Burnitz, IF Nomar Garciaparra, C Mark Johnson, RHP Jon Leicester, RHP Sergio Mitre, OF Corey Patterson, RHP Jermaine Van Buren.
Road to success: If the Cubs can stay healthy–and, yes, we’re talking mostly Wood and Prior–they have a chance to contend, although that is contingent on St. Louis finally falling below the 100-victory level. In the division championship season of 2003, Wood and Prior combined for 62 starts. In 2004 that total fell to 43, as each missed two months on the DL. In 2005 that total fell to 37, as they spent more months on the DL.
New leadoff man Pierre, whose legs are so important to a revamped lineup, must play his usual 162 games because no one else can do what he does. And then there’s third baseman Ramirez, who has battled leg strains each of the past two seasons.
Under review: The status of general manager Jim Hendry and manager Dusty Baker could be an unsettling influence because both are in final years of contracts. Hendry most likely will be back, but Baker may decide to ride out the season and see what is available elsewhere. Will the situation become a disruption?
Mystery man: Last summer the pressure was on Burnitz to replace Sammy Sosa’s numbers in right field. This summer, the pressure will be on Jones to replace Burnitz’s numbers (.258, 24 HR, 87 RBIs). With the Twins, Jones hit .249 with 23 homers and 73 RBIs but struck out more times (120-109) than Burnitz. He has been productive in the past (24 HR, 80 RBIs in 2004) so the Cubs are hoping a change of scenery will do him good. The other unknown in the Cubs’ outfield is Matt Murton. While he hit .321 with a .521 slugging percentage and .386 on-base percentage, he never has had an everyday job. Left-handed hitting veteran Mabry is available for long stretches if necessary.
Summing up: Since the 2003 season ended, the Cubs are only 12 games above .500. Last season they finished fourth, behind even Milwaukee, 21 games behind the Cardinals. Are they 21 games better this season? Probably not, but this is a team that could be in the mix if it has health and some in-house leadership. Plus, Hendry has money to spend at trading deadline. If nothing else, the Cubs can take hope from the fact the NL wild card (Houston) has come out of the Central the past two years.
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FRIDAY: A PREVIEW OF THE NATIONAL LEAGUE WEST PLUS A LOOK AT NEW GENERAL MANAGERS
