Jayson Stark - Marlins want Pie for Pierre / other Cubs news

[JGalt73]

"According to various sources who have had conversations with the Marlins' delegation, Florida has asked the Cubs for their top prospect, center fielder Felix Pie -- a potential deal-breaker. "

 

"The Cubs have targeted four potential leadoff men to replace Furcal on their drawing board, according to teams that have spoken with them. Those four are Pierre, Tampa Bay's Julio Lugo, Washington's Brad Wilkerson and Tampa Bay's Joey Gathright. Because the Cubs have made the leadoff spot their No. 1 priority -- as opposed to any particular position -- they haven't locked themselves into a pursuit of any one member of that group. The Cubs have no interest in Damon, according to one Cubs official."

[Derwood]

If this is true, i never want to hear a cub official utter Pierre's name again.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

"According to various sources who have had conversations with the Marlins' delegation, Florida has asked the Cubs for their top prospect, center fielder Felix Pie -- a potential deal-breaker. "

 

SCORE!

 

The Cubs have targeted four potential leadoff men to replace Furcal on their drawing board, according to teams that have spoken with them. Those four are Pierre, Tampa Bay's Julio Lugo, Washington's Brad Wilkerson and Tampa Bay's Joey Gathright. Because the Cubs have made the leadoff spot their No. 1 priority -- as opposed to any particular position -- they haven't locked themselves into a pursuit of any one member of that group. The Cubs have no interest in Damon, according to one Cubs official."

 

Pierre- Ack

Lugo- Leadoff? I guess.

Wilkerson- YES

Gathright- Ack

No Damon- yay

[badger1679666666]

I would be quite happy with Lugo, Wilkerson, and/or Gathright.

[CubinNY]

"According to various sources who have had conversations with the Marlins' delegation, Florida has asked the Cubs for their top prospect, center fielder Felix Pie -- a potential deal-breaker. "

 

I would hope so.

[CuseCubFan69]

That would be wonderful and I hope the Cubs add Hill and Cedeno too! :)

 

 

If Hendry does this deal it is a desperate attempt to keep his job.

[abuck1220]

Those four are Pierre, Tampa Bay's Julio Lugo, Washington's Brad Wilkerson and Tampa Bay's Joey Gathright.

 

well, at least there's a 50% chance of me not hating the cubs.

[imb]

Those four are Pierre, Tampa Bay's Julio Lugo, Washington's Brad Wilkerson and Tampa Bay's Joey Gathright.

 

well, at least there's a 50% chance of me not hating the cubs.

 

1 out of 3 doesnt equal 50% :P

[badger1679666666]

Those four are Pierre, Tampa Bay's Julio Lugo, Washington's Brad Wilkerson and Tampa Bay's Joey Gathright.

 

 

Well, at least there's a 50% chance of me not hating the cubs.

 

 

Why not 75% which of Lugo, Wilkerson, and Gathright don't you like?

Edited December 5, 2005 by badger

[CubsWin22]

ONLY way I would trade Pie this offseason is if it were for Abreu. Even then I don't think Pie straight up for Abreu would be taken by the Phils.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Gathright wishes he could be as good/bad as Juan Pierre. Which is a terrible thing if the Cubs are targeting him.

[MeatampPotatoesMan]

It's like Hendry wants to screw up this team, but the baseball gods won't let him.

[YearofDaCubs]

I would gladly give up Pie for a good player like Dunn but in my eyes Pierre isn't worth Pie. I would rather have Bradley out in CF and probably MIGHT come cheaper than Pie as well. Hendry got himself in this mess. When 2004 was ringing with FA options he declined, well now Hendry it's time for you to get us out of this pathetic mess you have created.

[goonys evil twin]

Because the Cubs have made the leadoff spot their No. 1 priority -- as opposed to any particular position -- they haven't locked themselves into a pursuit of any one member of that group.

 

I am so annoyed by this part of the story. Their infatuation with a stereotypical leadoff man is going to bite them in the butt. You can't build a team like this. You have to find players for each position in the field, then let them hit wherever is best. Find a team with quality from 1-8 and you'll be much better than a team that goes hard after leadoff and settles for mediocrity from 2, 5 and 6. Try to assemble the best catcher, first base, second base, third base, shortstop, leftfield, center field and rightfield you can find, then put them in the best order. Don't limit yourself to a spot you've already admitted is close to barren in terms of availability.

 

Hendry and Baker have spoken at length about the complete lack of the "true leadoff hitter" in today's game. That lack of supply drives up price when met with high demand. The Cubs irrationally high demand is making it harder for them to find a guy. Go out and get the best hitters you can find at CF and RF, and don't worry about the order, you'll score more runs and win more games.

[E.J.]

Excellent. It's too bad they didn't ask for Hill and Guzman too. That would really shut the door on any "Pierre a Cub" talks. Hopefully Hendry moves on from Pierre now.

[Blueheart05]

"According to various sources who have had conversations with the Marlins' delegation, Florida has asked the Cubs for their top prospect, center fielder Felix Pie -- a potential deal-breaker. "

 

I would hope so.

 

You never know, Hendry might go for this deal if he thinks he can somehow get Pierre to agree to an extension so that he is a FA next year.

 

Big risk when better alternatives exist in CF.

[CuseCubFan69]

Because the Cubs have made the leadoff spot their No. 1 priority -- as opposed to any particular position -- they haven't locked themselves into a pursuit of any one member of that group.

 

I am so annoyed by this part of the story. Their infatuation with a stereotypical leadoff man is going to bite them in the butt. You can't build a team like this. You have to find players for each position in the field, then let them hit wherever is best. Find a team with quality from 1-8 and you'll be much better than a team that goes hard after leadoff and settles for mediocrity from 2, 5 and 6. Try to assemble the best catcher, first base, second base, third base, shortstop, leftfield, center field and rightfield you can find, then put them in the best order. Don't limit yourself to a spot you've already admitted is close to barren in terms of availability.

 

Hendry and Baker have spoken at length about the complete lack of the "true leadoff hitter" in today's game. That lack of supply drives up price when met with high demand. The Cubs irrationally high demand is making it harder for them to find a guy. Go out and get the best hitters you can find at CF and RF, and don't worry about the order, you'll score more runs and win more games.

 

It's been painful to hear Hendry or Baker talk lately. Their narrow minded views will keep this team from getting better year after year.

[CardsFanInChiTown]

Hah, you can't blame the Marlins for askin'

[RynoRules]

I would gladly give up Pie for a good player like Dunn but in my eyes Pierre isn't worth Pie. I would rather have Bradley out in CF and probably MIGHT come cheaper than Pie as well. Hendry got himself in this mess. When 2004 was ringing with FA options he declined, well now Hendry it's time for you to get us out of this pathetic mess you have created.

 

You know, I am beginning to agree...

 

And agree that Pie only gets moved if we get back Dunn or Abreu. At least Jim is taking taking that stand.

[CuseCubFan69]

Hah, you can't blame the Marlins for askin'

 

No and if they have who they would be ok with from the Yankees I would do the same thing.

[ryno-mvp23]

Because the Cubs have made the leadoff spot their No. 1 priority -- as opposed to any particular position -- they haven't locked themselves into a pursuit of any one member of that group.

 

I am so annoyed by this part of the story. Their infatuation with a stereotypical leadoff man is going to bite them in the butt. You can't build a team like this. You have to find players for each position in the field, then let them hit wherever is best. Find a team with quality from 1-8 and you'll be much better than a team that goes hard after leadoff and settles for mediocrity from 2, 5 and 6. Try to assemble the best catcher, first base, second base, third base, shortstop, leftfield, center field and rightfield you can find, then put them in the best order. Don't limit yourself to a spot you've already admitted is close to barren in terms of availability.

 

Hendry and Baker have spoken at length about the complete lack of the "true leadoff hitter" in today's game. That lack of supply drives up price when met with high demand. The Cubs irrationally high demand is making it harder for them to find a guy. Go out and get the best hitters you can find at CF and RF, and don't worry about the order, you'll score more runs and win more games.

 

It's been painful to hear Hendry or Baker talk lately. Their narrow minded views will keep this team from getting better year after year.

 

 

it's hard to believe that they could still be so narrow minded with so much proof to back up the newer beliefs....its like they are just blind to it

[hawkeyecub]

"According to various sources who have had conversations with the Marlins' delegation, Florida has asked the Cubs for their top prospect, center fielder Felix Pie -- a potential deal-breaker. "

 

SCORE!

 

The Cubs have targeted four potential leadoff men to replace Furcal on their drawing board, according to teams that have spoken with them. Those four are Pierre, Tampa Bay's Julio Lugo, Washington's Brad Wilkerson and Tampa Bay's Joey Gathright. Because the Cubs have made the leadoff spot their No. 1 priority -- as opposed to any particular position -- they haven't locked themselves into a pursuit of any one member of that group. The Cubs have no interest in Damon, according to one Cubs official."

 

Pierre- Ack

Lugo- Leadoff? I guess.

Wilkerson- YES

Gathright- Ack

No Damon- yay

 

Why are people so down on Gathright? I admit that about the only thing I've heard about him is how fast he is and that he has no power. But looking at his minor league numbers, he gets on base at a decent rate.

 

2003- At age 21 he put up a .324/.406/.359 line in A ball. In 85 AB's in AA he put up a .376/.419/.388 line.

2004- In 32 games in AA he hit .341/.399/.397. In 236 AB's in AAA (age 22) he hit .326/.384/.373. He hit .250/.316/.250 in the bigs.

2005 (age 23)- In 226 AAA AB's he hit .305/.388/.407. In 203 ML AB's he hit .276/.316/.340.

 

Obviously he hasn't done real well at the major league level, but he's had some pretty good success as a leadoff man in the minors. He's 191/247 in career stolen bases, good for a 77% success rate.

If he had produced those numbers in the minors in our organization I think people would be a little more excited about him.

[mg420]

"According to various sources who have had conversations with the Marlins' delegation, Florida has asked the Cubs for their top prospect, center fielder Felix Pie -- a potential deal-breaker. "

 

SCORE!

 

The Cubs have targeted four potential leadoff men to replace Furcal on their drawing board, according to teams that have spoken with them. Those four are Pierre, Tampa Bay's Julio Lugo, Washington's Brad Wilkerson and Tampa Bay's Joey Gathright. Because the Cubs have made the leadoff spot their No. 1 priority -- as opposed to any particular position -- they haven't locked themselves into a pursuit of any one member of that group. The Cubs have no interest in Damon, according to one Cubs official."

 

Pierre- Ack

Lugo- Leadoff? I guess.

Wilkerson- YES

Gathright- Ack

No Damon- yay

 

Why are people so down on Gathright? I admit that about the only thing I've heard about him is how fast he is and that he has no power. But looking at his minor league numbers, he gets on base at a decent rate.

 

2003- At age 21 he put up a .324/.406/.359 line in A ball. In 85 AB's in AA he put up a .376/.419/.388 line.

2004- In 32 games in AA he hit .341/.399/.397. In 236 AB's in AAA (age 22) he hit .326/.384/.373. He hit .250/.316/.250 in the bigs.

2005 (age 23)- In 226 AAA AB's he hit .305/.388/.407. In 203 ML AB's he hit .276/.316/.340.

 

Obviously he hasn't done real well at the major league level, but he's had some pretty good success as a leadoff man in the minors. He's 191/247 in career stolen bases, good for a 77% success rate.

If he had produced those numbers in the minors in our organization I think people would be a little more excited about him.

 

i like him myself. he reminds me of a young pierre. wouldnt mind seeing him platoon with jhjr in cf.

[YearofDaCubs]

Because the Cubs have made the leadoff spot their No. 1 priority -- as opposed to any particular position -- they haven't locked themselves into a pursuit of any one member of that group.

 

I am so annoyed by this part of the story. Their infatuation with a stereotypical leadoff man is going to bite them in the butt. You can't build a team like this. You have to find players for each position in the field, then let them hit wherever is best. Find a team with quality from 1-8 and you'll be much better than a team that goes hard after leadoff and settles for mediocrity from 2, 5 and 6. Try to assemble the best catcher, first base, second base, third base, shortstop, leftfield, center field and rightfield you can find, then put them in the best order. Don't limit yourself to a spot you've already admitted is close to barren in terms of availability.

 

Hendry and Baker have spoken at length about the complete lack of the "true leadoff hitter" in today's game. That lack of supply drives up price when met with high demand. The Cubs irrationally high demand is making it harder for them to find a guy. Go out and get the best hitters you can find at CF and RF, and don't worry about the order, you'll score more runs and win more games.

 

It's been painful to hear Hendry or Baker talk lately. Their narrow minded views will keep this team from getting better year after year.

 

 

it's hard to believe that they could still be so narrow minded with so much proof to back up the newer beliefs....its like they are just blind to it

And that's why this offseason is very important. As far as I'm concerned if we don't make the playoffs in 2006 both Hendry and Baker should be kicked to the curb. What have they done lately? Jack!

[BigbadB]

Only problem with Gathright, is there wouldn't be any inspiration to improve his walk rate once he was playing under Dusty "be aggressive at the plate" Baker.