WHY NO PIE?

[HEYHEY]

I thought Lou was going to stick with the kid.I'm disappointed that they didn't just leave him in there.He adds a spark and some speed.I think defensively he plays better than Pagan.The kid needs at bats.

[Bockstock]

The kid needs at bats.

Like Lou said at the beginning of the year, the players who hit are going to play. Pie isn't helping the team playing every other day and batting in the 100s, especially when the Cubs are getting no production at the catcher position. I wish he were still up, but the Cubs need to use Jones or release/trade him and can't afford two black holes in the lineup (sometimes 3 with Izturis) in this critical portion of the season.

[BigZ38]

Pie wasn't ready for an everyday job at the big leagues this year. Next year he will win the job out of ST and that is when I think we will see him at his best.

[Drockvb]

Right now Pagan is a better hitter than Pie.

[HEYHEY]

I think Pie is ready.The Cub and most of you are still fearing a Cory Patterson type of situation.Pies a different kind of player.Pagan and Pie should be the platoon in CF.

[SKIPPER 11]

Lou and Gerald Perry have supposedly been working with him on changing something with his swing. I dont know if that means stance or what. To me the guy has crushed everywhere he has been so why change. They supposedly dont want him to play because they are afraid of him losing all confidence. I think he will be sent down soon and work on his new hitting form. I dont know how many ABs he has had up with the Cubs, but definately not enough to think a major change is needed with his stroke. Just think if mangers would have done that every year with Sandberg. He never hit in April. As far Pie being ready though, I dont know. Its hard to bring a kid along when your in the chase. He is still very young, unlike Theriot and Font. But then you look at the Brewers whole IF- they are all young and are all doing very well.

The Pie / Patterson comparison- it does make you think, especially when you see him wearing # 20. I would like to see him change numbers. # 20 and our top prospect CFs usually is not a good thing- Jerome Walton, Patterson, and now Pie.

[Bockstock]

If the Cubs had a better offense you would have a point, but the rank in the middle to the bottom of the NL in all the major categories. They need

A) more offense
B) to trade Jones

Neither of those would likely happen right now with Felix starting every day. He'll be back this season, though, no doubt.

[Drockvb]

If Pie wants to be an everyday centerfielder for the Chicago Cubs then he needs to practice hitting lefties. As of right now he can't.

[HEYHEY]

If Pie wants to be an everyday centerfielder for the Chicago Cubs then he needs to practice hitting lefties. As of right now he can't.
Either can the rest of the team.

[SKIPPER 11]

Excellent point HEY HEY

[Drockvb]

Cubs vs. lefties: .243 BA/ .298 OBP

Pie vs. lefties: .125 BA/ .152 OBP

Pagan vs. lefties: .226 BA/ .271 OBP

Neither is great, but Pagan hits .100 points higher than Pie as of right now.

[HEYHEY]

Cubs vs. lefties: .243 BA/ .298 OBP

Pie vs. lefties: .125 BA/ .152 OBP

Pagan vs. lefties: .226 BA/ .271 OBP

Neither is great, but Pagan hits .100 points higher than Pie as of right now.
Okay I'll give you that one but seeing Pagan the last few games in CF has been an adventure.I also think Pie has more range than Pagan.Thats why I say a platoon situation would benefit the position.

[Drockvb]

Pie has tools and needs to play. That is for sure. But i want an everyday centerfielder. This platoon situation is wearing thin. We have more platoon players than anyone in the league. Which may not be a bad thing, but i still wish we could solidify that important position.

[SKIPPER 11]

Pie has tools and needs to play. That is for sure. But i want an everyday centerfielder. This platoon situation is wearing thin. We have more platoon players than anyone in the league. Which may not be a bad thing, but i still wish we could solidify that important position.

Platoons are not bad if you have 1 or 2. We essentially have 5- RF,CF,2B,SS, AND C. That is definately not a good thing. A good baseball player plays everyday. This says we only have 3 good players. Now with 5 platoons going on, Derosa always is in there - so I guess we can count him as a starter. Platooning your middle defense, which we do at every middle position, is asking for trouble.

[HEYHEY]

Don't forget the injuries that occurred the last 2 years.Thats why this club was built the way it is.I think its an advantage to have the platoons.It gives Lou more options,creates competition,gives you a lefty or righty hitter and keeps players fresh.I also think thats why were winning

[ARamfan]

Platoons are not bad if you have 1 or 2. We essentially have 5- RF,CF,2B,SS, AND C. That is definately not a good thing.

A good baseball player plays everyday. This says we only have 3 good players. Now with 5 platoons going on, Derosa always is in there - so I guess we can count him as a starter. Platooning your middle defense, which we do at every middle position, is asking for trouble.

I hadn't looked at it that way, but you're right, we DO have 5 platoon situations. Because of all of the musical chairs we've played this season, I know that before each game I HAVE to be able to see the starting lineup, or I don't know who's where and why. And who's not playing and why. :confused:

There's a lot to like about Pie, but if he's not ready, he's not ready. It would be a relief to have this solidified for the second half though.

[SKIPPER 11]

In saying that we have 5 positions that are being platooned, I should also add, in fairness, that our 3 other positions are held by all- star caliber players. Not many teams can say that either.

[Drockvb]

Well one thing is for sure. Pie needs AB's.

[NeifiPerezMVP2007]

I thought Lou was going to stick with the kid.I'm disappointed that they didn't just leave him in there.He adds a spark and some speed.I think defensively he plays better than Pagan.The kid needs at bats.

I agree. The only way to get a good idea of Pies hitting is to leave him in there and give him a rest every so often.

[HEYHEY]

Would you trade him for Griffey?

[BigZ38]

Would you trade him for Griffey?

No way...the most touted prospect in our system? He's what 22 and Griffey is 37.....we could have Pie for years on years while Griffey could last what another 3-4 max.

[SKIPPER 11]

If we were better, especially with our starting pitching, I would trade Pie for Giffey in a heartbeat. You are talking about a first ballot hall of famer and no he is not at the end of his career. Sure he is 37, but if it made us better and make us the favorites to win the world series- heck yes. Whats the count up to w/o a championship????? Would you trade 10 years of being a bad team for a world series championship- I think the answer is yes. Now remember, I said if we were better than we are now. I think we need more than Griffey.

I remember the same question use to come up about Corey Patterson. I remember we could have traded him and something else for Carlos Beltran and we did not do it. KC was looking to dump him before the 2003 season. Now Beltran was a lot younger than Griffey.

[BigZ38]

If we were better, especially with our starting pitching, I would trade Pie for Giffey in a heartbeat. You are talking about a first ballot hall of famer and no he is not at the end of his career. Sure he is 37, but if it made us better and make us the favorites to win the world series- heck yes. Whats the count up to w/o a championship????? Would you trade 10 years of being a bad team for a world series championship- I think the answer is yes. Now remember, I said if we were better than we are now. I think we need more than Griffey.

I remember the same question use to come up about Corey Patterson. I remember we could have traded him and something else for Carlos Beltran and we did not do it. KC was looking to dump him before the 2003 season. Now Beltran was a lot younger than Griffey.

I would trade for a championship now. And Beltran is a bust. I would have traded for him but never gave him all that money that he hasn't earned.

[Bockstock]

And Beltran is a bust.

What??

So is Soriano a bust?? Beltran has similar 3-yr splits as Soriano and was 3 years younder when he signed his contract. Beltran will be FA by the time he is 36. The Cubs will be paying Soriano $19 Million when he is 37 and 38.