Bryan

LaHair

LaHair, 23, is hitting .328 with 10 homers in 58 games since moving up to Triple-A Tacoma. If he keeps this up and Ben Broussard fails to finish strong, the Mariners could always decide to non-tender the veteran and make LaHair their left-handed-hitting designated hitter next year. He should get his first taste of the majors in September.

LaHair is intrigued by the interest, but hopes to remain in the major leagues. “Not coming from a lot of money, when you hear offers, you have to consider it,” said LaHair. “But the dream is to be in the major leagues. And this is where I want to be.” LaHair, 28, won the Pacific Coast League MVP this season by batting .331/.405/.664 with 38 home runs over 523 plate appearances. He is 11-for-24 (.458) with one home run and four RBI since being called up to the majors earlier this month.

‘‘[Soriano’s] the most prolific guy in our lineup who’s done it before,’’ Sveum said. ‘‘He’s a big part of this lineup who’s got to produce.’’ Cubs fans probably don’t like the idea of having Soriano in the cleanup spot, but the reality is that they don’t really have many alternatives. The 36-year-old batted .244 with a .759 OPS in 2011.

LaHair tripled his hit total this spring with the big day at the plate and got his average up to a respectable .240. The minor league journeyman will begin the season as the Cubs’ starting first baseman but is just keeping the seat warm for Anthony Rizzo.

LaHair, who is nursing a stiff back, was nearly ready to play in Thursday’s opener, but the Cubs decided to play it safe and hold him out. Jeff Baker starter Thursday at first base, but Joe Mather is also an option to fill in on Saturday.

LaHair also scored a pair of runs. The journeyman minor leaguer is white hot, hitting in five straight games, roping five extra-base hits in the process to bring his triple slash to a cool .382/.470/.727. He obviously won’t continue at this rate, but it’s no longer absurd to believe LaHair might hit enough to maintain year-long value in mixed leagues.

LaHair’s two-run jack off reliever Chad Qualls tied the game up in the top of the eighth inning before the Phillies retook the lead for good in the bottom of the frame. The journeyman finishes April batting .390 with five longballs and 14 RBI. You could try to trade him now while he’s red-hot, but you might end up regretting it.

LaHair has been sidelined in recent days due to back stiffness. It’s not clear who would start at first base if he isn’t ready, but Jeff Baker is one possibility. Tony Campana will remain with the team in case LaHair needs to be placed on the disabled list.

The slam got some help from the wind and still barely cleared the fence in left field, but it counts in the books. LaHair is 7-for-20 with two homers since missing the first couple of games of the season with a stiff back.

LaHair is hitting .364 with four homers, and he’s also walked seven times in his last nine games. The Cubs are going to want to go to Anthony Rizzo at first base at some point during the middle of the season, but if this keeps up, LaHair should have some trade value.