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Alfonso Soriano is NOT a leadoff hitter.
Yes, he is one of the best home run hitters to ever occupy the No. 1 spot in the lineup, but he does not get on base near enough. I don't care if he only leads off one time in a game, when your line-up is not hitting, he is still coming up with the bases empty most of the time.
Soriano should be in a spot where he can drive in runs. This is more evident with the absence of injured Aramis Ramirez.
Soriano doesn't need to move to 2B, but he needs to be hitting in the four or five hole. Doing this not only puts someone with a higher average and on-base percentage in the one hole, it helps protect the heart of the order. I don't think a pitcher in baseball wants to pitch to Soriano with two men on base.
Not only that, but pitchers then have to pitch to Lee, Bradley, or Ramirez (when he returns) when runners are on in front of them and Soriano behind them.
To me, this a no brainer.
So, in conclusion, I don't think it is Hendry's fault.
Yes, he could have signed Abreau or Ibanez instead of Bradley.
Yes, he could have signed a good left-handed reliever instead of staying with Cotts.
Yes, he could have kept DeRosa and Wood.
But, it doesn't matter who you do or don't get, if the guys you expect to perform drop off the way that Soriano, Lee, Bradley and Soto have. Couple that with the injuries, most notably Ramirez, and there will be some trouble.
On the other hand, if the guys that are suppose to perform would perform, this team would not nearly be in the position that it is.
Quite frankly, I didn't see the lack of performance coming, and my bet is that neither did you.
I blame the personnel.
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