Though the positional battles are far and few between this spring for the Cubs, there has been plenty of speculation at a few different positions as to whether or not certain guys will be put into a platoon situation.
In fact, you could argue that at least four positions in the field could be candidates to have a platoon. Third base is the most logical, while there has been speculation about left field as well. Add first and second base to the list and things could get really messy.
The Cubs have Ian Stewart starting the season at third. Though his average isn’t much good against anyone overall, he’d likely be better suited to play against right handers, while Jeff Baker holds down the hot corner against lefties.
The same could be said at second base, where Darwin Barney could hit lefties and the newly acquired Adrian Cardenas or Baker could go against righties. Don’t forget about the left handed hitting Blake DeWitt either.
One focal point this season, depending on how long he remains in a Cub uniform, is how the Cubs will handle Alfonso Soriano in left field. The Cubs’ new front office and coaching staff has stressed accountability, and if you’re not performing, your playing time is likely going to take a hit.
Which has led some to speculate whether the Cubs could set up some sort of platoon situation with Soriano in left, though they really lack the options to pull off such a strategy.
However, all of this speculation of platoons appears to be completely wrong. Dale Sveum made a point of it this week to say that he will be sticking with the same lineup that he sets for Opening Day. Obviously, that could change depending on injuries/performances, but he’s not going to be changing the lineup regularly.
That’s already one major change from last season. It’s a nice transition from Mike Quade‘s Joel Quenneville-esque way of juggling his lineups.
