The Cubs will not fall of the tracks without Soriano for 6 weeks. Pinky swear.

Ok, so there are a lot of questions that need to be answered with the loss of a player who brings power, run production and arguably speed and hits lead-off, but the Cubs can answer them. Yes, the Cubs went 9-5 without him in late April with a couple ugly losses at Washington, but they did win 7 of the first 8 games they played without him. In general, here's what the Cubs will be missing while Soriano nurtures his broken hand.

-Power in the lead-off spot

-A team-leading .377 BA against lefties

-1/5 of their home run production

-12% of their total run production (RBI)

Considering the Cubs have killed lefties this year, I'd say the only thing that really impacts the Cubs is that change in the lead-off dynamic (no one leading off in this stretch will hit for power) and the missing home run production. Otherwise, Soriano is just an equal piece of the Cubs pie who the Cubs are much more dangerous without but not doomed without.

Yes, sadly he was playing well of late, starting to run better, and he usually is responsible for what I would guess to be 1 of every 5 winning offensive efforts. If the Cubs want to make up for his loss, there are about 6 critical games in there for other players to step up. But let's toss those theoretical numbers behind and focus on what the Cubs need to do to stay hot in June/early July without "Fonzie."

-Bring back Micah Hoffpauir. You get a left-handed batter who can hit for power that should never have been sent down in the first place, but I couldn't blame the Cubs for doing it at the time. Eric Patterson might be next to come up for a left fielder with speed. If he's the guy, you might as well say goodbye to Matt Murton who the Cubs are probably desperate right now to trade.

-Give DeRosa playing time in Left. If you like your chances with Cedeno or Fontenot playing infield on a semi-regular basis, keep DeRosa's bat and play him in left. I have no doubt the Cubs will do just that considering that's what happened last time the Cubs were without Soriano

-Move Theriot to the lead-off spot most of the time and almost always against lefties. I think if anyone is going to be okay moving it's Theriot who is hitting .322 (.328 vs. LHP). Though his speed is okay, the guy gets on base (a .446 OBP vs. LHP). Considering your next best but not great lead-off option is Fontenot who is horrendous against lefties, that's the right move.

-Have Reed Johnson or Mark DeRosa hit second against lefties. DeRo has a sparkling .355 average against LHP but not nearly as many RBI (just 10). He has also hit .600 in the 2-slot this season. Reed is hitting .318 against LHP. Either way, you're set against lefties.

-Move Kosuke up to 2 spot occasionally against RHP. I don't want this to be a permanent move, but by the numbers, Fukudome looks like a guy who should be hitting 1 or 2. It may be worth a try on days when there will be ample production in the middle of the lineup (Ramirez, Soto, Edmonds, Hoffpauir) as he has had no success in his 7 at-bats at that spot.

- Experiment with Fontenot, Cedeno and DeRosa in the 2-spot against righties or Fontenot at 1. The two utility infielders have the speed and at some point you're going to need to take chances with them and let them prove themselves. Eric Patterson might get a couple cracks here too if he's the guy. DeRosa will get some looks at 2 here if guys like Edmonds and Hoffpauir can continue to produce and they don't need Mark later in the lineup, but ideally you want to give Cedeno and Fontenot more playing time against righties.

The Cubs have options. Watch tonight when the Cubs come out on top tonight. I was there last night, I saw how this team can hit at home first-hand. It will hurt at times, but not all the time. The Cubs will find other heroes.