What to make of the Cubs lineup

Dale Sveum is losing sleep over the order of the Cubs lineup, according to this ESPN Chicago report, and it is not hard to see why. The Cubs best hitter, Starlin Castro, had 10 home runs a year ago, leaving the Cubs with no consistent run-producer, or a prototypical leadoff man. If Alfonso Soriano can continue his hot spring, he at least seems like a logical choice for the cleanup spot in the order. Likewise, if Darwin Barney translates his improved offense this spring to the regular season, he would be a good candidate to hit second. David DeJesus was signed with the thought of his high on-base percentage working well in the leadoff role, however he has had a slow spring coming off a bad 2011 season. In the end though, his proven OBP track record and limited pop may work best leading off games.

Here is my opening day lineup if I were Dale Sveum:

1. David DeJesus

2. Marlon Byrd

3. Starlin Castro

4. Alfonso Soriano

5. Geovany Soto

6. Brian LaHair

7. Ian Stewart

8. Darwin Barney

Bullet of the Day

Courtesy of MLBTradeRumors.com:

"On this day in 2002, the Yankees released outfielder Ruben Rivera, who allegedly stole teammate Derek Jeter's glove from his locker at the club's Spring Training complex and proceeded to sell it."