Erstad and Finley are on the Cubs' radar

[Ivy Killa]

this is from foxsports.com

After spending nearly $300 million this off-season, the Cubs still aren't finished.

The team is trying to add two outfielders, and a trade of right fielder Jacque Jones remains a possibility.
Jones, signed for $9 million over the next two seasons, could be a bargain for a club in need of an outfielder.

With or without Jones, the Cubs are likely to sign free-agent left fielder Cliff Floyd, and they also want a stopgap in center until top prospect Felix Pie is ready.

Pie, 21, could win the job in spring training, complicating the Cubs' pursuit of a veteran free-agent center fielder such as Darin Erstad and Steve Finley.

A trade for a less proven player such as the Nationals' Ryan Church might be a more realistic option, but Erstad and Finley are on the Cubs' radar.

Erstad is drawing serious interest from the A's, who like him as a backup outfielder and first baseman. Other clubs continue to pursue him as well

[bczar]

I'd like to see Finley before Erstad. Either way, it would appear the Cubs are looking for a one year signing in case Pie doesn't do jack in ST. At least it looks like they are putting a backup plan together, so that's good news.

[Webgem]

Esrtad still has ankle issues and I'm not to keen on the ever aging Finley..:)

[Al Spanglers ghost]

Esrtad still has ankle issues and I'm not to keen on the ever aging Finley..:)



Hell,why don't they just bring Bobby Dernier out of retirement.
I think he is probably younger than Finley,and in better health than Erstad!!:D

[Webgem]

I'd like to see Finley before Erstad. Either way, it would appear the Cubs are looking for a one year signing in case Pie doesn't do jack in ST. At least it looks like they are putting a backup plan together, so that's good news.


I'd take Preston Wilson over Erstad or Finley if it's only for one year.;)

[Ivy Killa]

Wilson strikes out way too many times....if finly can duplicate the numbers he has put up against the Cubs i would be happy with him in center....but if he plays like last year then hell no.

[Al Spanglers ghost]

Preston Wilson would be better for one season than Erstad or Finely,but
I think that Hendry and Uncle Lou would like a left handed hitting centerfielder.

[NeifiPerezMVP2007]

Finley has seen better days and is a big risk, Erstad is a bit younger and hurt. Id rather have Erstad. I'm not thrilled with either we should have kept JP for center field.

[scuba]

If those are our only options for CF, I would say we just keep Jones. He's a decent left-handed bat if Pie isn't ready, and if he is ready, we could probably still trade Jones away later for something.

[diehardnorthsider]

I'm with Scuba, There are to many "ifs" with Erstad and Finley. Lets just stick with Jones until Pie is ready.

[DLee25]

Yeah, stick with Jones.

No, to Preston Wilson, he likes to give those pitchers good K stats.
Erstad and Finley, diehard your right. TOO many "ifs"

[Ivy Killa]

If those are our only options for CF, I would say we just keep Jones.

I couldnt agree more except i'm still worried about JJ's defense in center...last i recall (when he's healthy) Erstad is a great defensive player at whatever position he plays but yea i'd rather have JJ's bat in center then Finly, Erstad, or Wilson.

[ryno4ever]

Hell,why don't they just bring Bobby Dernier out of retirement.
I think he is probably younger than Finley,and in better health than Erstad!!:D

I believe he is already signed by the cubs....a minor league instructor

[bringbacktuffy]

Yeah i would take JJ over any of those guys. LH power and reliability is important. Who knows? Maybe he'll shape into a fine CF. In any case I would rather make a deal for church than get finley erstad or wilson.

[Al Spanglers ghost]

Yeah i would take JJ over any of those guys. LH power and reliability is important. Who knows? Maybe he'll shape into a fine CF. In any case I would rather make a deal for church than get finley erstad or wilson.



I agree that if JJ was a happy camper as a Cub,he would be the best option
in center until Pie is ready to make the jump.
But he is not happy,he never got over being booed when he got off to a slow start last season.He also was very vocal about thinking Dusty was being treated unfairly.Unless Uncle Lou can bitch slap him,or butt kiss him enough to change his feelings,I still think Hendry will try to move him.
And it's to bad,because I think he is better than most of the other options the Cubs have for centerfield starting the 2007 season.

[bringbacktuffy]

I just dont see any other viable option. Doing anything else means trading Jones, which will prob happen anyway whenever Pie is ready to step up. In any case I dont see JJ fininshing all 3 years of that contract as a cub, unless he wows everybody this year with his CF skills.

[HOLYCOW!25]

Exactly. I say keep Jones in center till Pie's ready, if he ever gets ready.

[NeifiPerezMVP2007]

I'm with Scuba, There are to many "ifs" with Erstad and Finley. Lets just stick with Jones until Pie is ready.

Agree 100% with both of you.