1. 2B Mike Fontenot - Fontenot is clearly not a natural leadoff hitter, but since there isn't one on the team, I think he is the best hit. His OBP is .395, and this is higher than Theriot's, and really all that matters to me from this position. He really can't steal bases, but is a pretty intelligent base runner. His surprising power also wouldn't hurt here.
2. 1B Derrek Lee - He can still hit singles and doubles (40+ over the past two seasons) at an elite level, but his declining power and 27 double play balls last year just won't cut it in the 3 spot. He is getting older but does have some speed left that could be a small asset. Maybe without the pressure of hitting third he can get back to his pre-wrist injury form that the Cubs desperately need.
3. RF Milton Bradley - If he is on the field, Bradley is the best pure hitter the Cubs have. His AVG (.321) and OPS (.999) last year were great, and the fact that he is a switch-hitter make a logical choice for this spot.
4. 3B Aramis Ramirez - Since the latter half of 2003, Aramis Ramirez has been the best and most consistent hitter in the Cubs' organization. How many other teams can say that? The only other players/teams that came to my mind were Pujols/Cardinals, Berkman/Astros, Ichiro/Mariners, Vlad/Angels, A-Rod/Yankees, and Ramirez/Red Sox. I don't know if this really means anything, but it is interesting to look at. The point is, Aramis is the undisputed cleanup hitter.
5. LF Alfonso Soriano - Putting Soriano in the 5 spot to me isn't an insult. Plain and simple has best attribute is his power, and it would be best utilized for the team in this spot. The collective OBP of the players listed above last year was .393. With that many runners on base in front him, imagine the RBI totals he could put up. Those first inning solo shots could turn into first or second inning two run home runs.
6. C Geovany Soto - I really like Geo, but I think it is pretty safe to assume his numbers are going to fall this year. A realistic expectation should be .270-20-75, and I still think that is really good in the lower half of a lineup.
7. CF Kosuke Fukudome - I think that there is a very good case for starting Reed Johnson and batting him here, but I think Dome should be given the initial shot. I am not very playing guys simply because they are being paid more. However, Reed Johnson has proved over his career he can be effective in a part-time role. If he is pressed into regular service, that is fine, but he is already a known quantity. I hope Dome is given at least a month to see if he can build on his supposed core workouts over the off-season. He had wrist surgery in 2006, so I feel like he should be given the benefit of the doubt, despite his awful second half last year. If he can return to even .275-10-60 with his solid defense and decent speed, he can contribute.
8. SS Ryan Theriot - He did have a good average, but other than he didn't do much of anything positive at the plate last year.
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