Why Soriano Leadoff Doesn't Matter

This has been one of the most discussed stories this offseason, Do the Cubs maximize Soriano's value by having him leadoff? The short and compact answer is No, Soriano's value is higher later in the lineup. But due to Alf's speed, decent track record, and large payday, he's been given the role that has plagued the Cubs for eons. He's nowhere near the prototypical leadoff man, a guy that puts balls on the ground, works counts, and gets on base at a great clip. Yet some analysts, for example Steve Stone, puts Soriano as the best leadoff man in the game today. For me, Alf doesn't cut it as one of the game's best but on the Cub's current roster, Soriano is the best candidate for the job.