Let's trust Piniella on this one

Some of the best Chicago sports stories concern guys who aren't in uniform.

With the Bears it's the quarterback they don't have yet.

With the Bulls it's the coach they haven't hired yet.

With the Blackhawks it's the free agents they haven't signed yet.

With the Cubs it's somebody on the disabled list ... like Alfonso Soriano, who won't be available again until Thursday.

"We're going to put him in left field and lead him off," Cubs manager Lou Piniella said prior to Tuesday night's 10-7 loss to Milwaukee.

The Cubs need Soriano's offense. They didn't score much against Washington over the weekend. Against the Brewers they scored but not enough after their middle relief imploded.

"That's been a problem for a while," Piniella said.

So here comes Soriano to, as Piniella said without hesitation, lead off.

That launches Cub fans into fits of rage -- SORIANO HAS TO BE MOVED DOWN IN THE BATTING ORDER!!!

There's also talk-radio chatter that Soriano has a bad attitude! That he's making too much money! That White Sox outfielder Nick Swisher is a better player!

Whoa, folks, slow down.

The only legitimate debate here is whether Soriano should bat first in the order or down lower.

Otherwise everything is nonsense, starting with Swisher over Soriano.

That's reminiscent of when some goofs actually blurted that during their primes, Mark Grace was a better first baseman to have on a team than Frank Thomas.

What's next, Pamela Anderson over Meryl Streep?

Soriano is more valuable than Swisher, who is a good player. Soriano might not be a chemistry guy, cheerleader or jokester, but he's a better player.

Does Soriano make too much money? Of course he does but the point is moot. Anybody who makes $136 million over eight baseball seasons is overpaid.

OK, now for the one sticky issue -- should Soriano bat leadoff?

"Soriano gives us some power," Piniella said. "He can put runs up with one swing of the bat."

To me, that's like having an NFL quarterback whose best attribute is running or an NBA center who can shoot 3-pointers.

I'm uncomfortable with a homer hitter batting first. Homer hitters should bat down in a power slot.

A leadoff man should have a high on-base percentage and a low strikeout total. Soriano gives the Cubs neither.

Doesn't matter to Piniella. He and Soriano came to the Cubs at the same time and ever since the former has been content with the latter as his leadoff hitter.

Why? Does Soriano have an unwritten clause in his contract that insists he has to bat first? Is Piniella afraid for some reason to move Soriano down in the order?

Piniella never appears afraid of anything except perhaps a Cubbie Occurrence trumping Cubbie Swagger.

If Piniella thought the Cubs would score more runs by moving Soriano, he would do it. If Soriano wanted to fight over it, Piniella would deck him.

The Cubs don't exactly have a great alternative. Ryan Theriot and Reed Johnson can lead off but neither is Pete Rose.

So as long as Soriano's legs are healthy enough to steal a base, Piniella's judgment should be trusted.

Soriano's attitude is just fine, his salary isn't an issue, he's better than Swisher ...

And when he's back in uniform, he belongs at leadoff until Piniella says he doesn't.