Positive-minded Piniella sets the tone in Cubs camp

MESA, Ariz. - Cubs manager Lou Piniella gave his annual speech to the team Tuesday, as position players reported and prepared to work out.

"It was a positive one," Piniella said. "The fact that two years ago, this team had lost 90 ballgames, and now, two years later in a short period of time, we won 90-plus ballgames. We've made a lot of improvements. We continue to believe in the things that we're doing. Don't take for granted from talking to the media that you're going to win a division and that the season is going to be defined if you play well in postseason.

"You've got to earn winning your division. We won more games than anybody in the National League last year, and we're going to have a target on our backs. So we've got to be ready. We've set the tone for our other two seasons in spring training by working hard and being dedicated during the season and continue to do those things. I told them I was proud of the fact that they played so well and that we've made some changes here, hopefully to get us better, to work hard and set the tone for a championship season here in spring training."

Steroids talk: The Cubs were still doing their work when the Yankees' Alex Rodriguez held his news conference to talk about his admission of using performance-enhancing drugs.

Cubs first baseman Derrek Lee agrees with White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen that a one-year suspension for first-time offenders would not be out of line.

"There should be zero tolerance," Lee said. "We've had plenty of warnings. There's no excuses. If you get caught now, there should be no sympathy. A year, to me, is even light. Why would you get caught doing steroids? That's how I feel.

"I can tell you I know guys who did it, and their names haven't come out. But I really don't want to get too much into it."

No problems: Cubs players such as Alfonso Soriano and Derrek Lee said they would have no problem batting anywhere in the lineup that Lou Piniella puts them.

It's likely Soriano will remain the leadoff hitter, but Piniella made news Monday by saying he'd consider moving Soriano down in the order to take advantage of his home run power.

Lee has batted third for most of his Cubs career, but he expressed no preference, either.

"I'll bat leadoff," Lee said. "Whatever Lou feels is the best lineup to help this team score runs, I'm fine with that."

Soriano was ready for the questions.

"I don't know why every year there are questions about batting leadoff," he said. "I said a couple months ago, one month ago, if he wants to move me, if he thinks that's the right way for the team, I'll do it. I'm open for any situation. I think I know how they pitch me bating leadoff. Now I have to learn how they want to pitch me in different spots in the lineup."

Piniella seemed to backtrack once again Tuesday. Or maybe he was having fun with reporters.

"I've got to give you all something to write about, too, right?" Piniella said. "We'll play around with it this spring. We've got plenty of time, 39 ballgames. I talked to Sori at the Cubs convention, and he was agreeable with it. At the same time, I mentioned that I really like Soriano in the leadoff spot, and also, if we started the season tomorrow, that's where he'd be."