Cubs Acquire Juan Pierre

[Drew Doughty]

Wilkerson does different things than Pierre and vice versa, that's why I said it was debatable at the end of my post. Personally, I'd say Wilk is a better hitter and probably get a lot to agree with me. Same could be said for Pierre I'm sure.

 

I'd take Wilkerson because he gets on base and slugs better. Last year is a rough comparison because BOTH had down years.

[Drew Doughty]

Theres a Juan Pierre conference call on MLB.com if anyones interested. From what he said, and what he sounds like, he appears to be a good fit in Chicago.

 

Personally I'm not going to nitpick this move. Hendry's not going to wait all day on a National and Philly team, that doesen't know if they looking to win in 06, or not.

 

I don't mind the move, especially for what we gave up (as in Mitre instead of Hill) and he could potentially be a 370 OBP guy that scores 100 runs. I'd just rather have someone else. I understand the motives, and while I don't agree with them, I'm glad we didn't overpay and that we actually did something that fills a "need."

[MeatampPotatoesMan]

Theres a Juan Pierre conference call on MLB.com if anyones interested. From what he said, and what he sounds like, he appears to be a good fit in Chicago.

 

Personally I'm not going to nitpick this move. Hendry's not going to wait all day on a National and Philly team, that doesen't know if they looking to win in 06, or not.

 

The Nationals really don't even have an owner. Hendry wanted his leadoff man quickly, so he can shop for an outfielder, and a starting pitcher.

 

Juan Pierre's intangible's, his experience, and his relationship with somebody like DLee are more valuable, then the marginal "better" hitting that Wilkerson brings.

 

thanks for the info on the conference call. :)

 

Welcome to the Chicago Cubs, Mr. Pierre.

[don_kessinger_was_good]

I just don't get the fawning over Wilkerson, I really don't. He can take a BB--wow, so could Mark Bellhorn, and I don't want HIM back.

 

There's no evidence that Wilkerson is truly available, either, so in my book the discussion is moot.

 

I pine for Abreu, if only Hendry could pull the big trade. It would solve all the Cubs' lineup problems in one fell swoop. Absent that, I think the Floyd murmurs make the most sense, he's closer to what the Cubs need in corner OF, he is apparently available? And he's not terribly expensive. I liked the Bradley option a lot more for CF, for RF? Not as much.

 

What happened to the Wellemeyer for Bigbie rumors? I like Bigbie as a bench outfielder, we need one more to go with Mabry.

[USSoccer]

I would have preferred Wilkerson, but there was always the chance that Dusty would have miscast him as a 6th hitter.

[da bears]

I just don't get the fawning over Wilkerson, I really don't. He can take a BB--wow, so could Mark Bellhorn, and I don't want HIM back.

 

There's no evidence that Wilkerson is truly available, either, so in my book the discussion is moot.

 

I pine for Abreu, if only Hendry could pull the big trade. It would solve all the Cubs' lineup problems in one fell swoop. Absent that, I think the Floyd murmurs make the most sense, he's closer to what the Cubs need in corner OF, he is apparently available? And he's not terribly expensive. I liked the Bradley option a lot more for CF, for RF? Not as much.

 

What happened to the Wellemeyer for Bigbie rumors? I like Bigbie as a bench outfielder, we need one more to go with Mabry.

 

I agree with everything you said. Wilkerson's obp is good, but I think we should aim our sites a little higher.

[Andy]

I just don't get the fawning over Wilkerson, I really don't. He can take a BB--wow, so could Mark Bellhorn, and I don't want HIM back.

 

There's no evidence that Wilkerson is truly available, either, so in my book the discussion is moot.

 

I pine for Abreu, if only Hendry could pull the big trade. It would solve all the Cubs' lineup problems in one fell swoop. Absent that, I think the Floyd murmurs make the most sense, he's closer to what the Cubs need in corner OF, he is apparently available? And he's not terribly expensive. I liked the Bradley option a lot more for CF, for RF? Not as much.

 

What happened to the Wellemeyer for Bigbie rumors? I like Bigbie as a bench outfielder, we need one more to go with Mabry.

I agree with you re: Wilkerson. He's a good ballplayer but I'll take Pierre the sure thing over all-or-nothing Wilkerson.

 

I wasn't aware of Welly for Bigbie rumors, but why we haven't jumped all over that deal is beyond me.

[don_kessinger_was_good]

I just don't get the fawning over Wilkerson, I really don't. He can take a BB--wow, so could Mark Bellhorn, and I don't want HIM back.

 

There's no evidence that Wilkerson is truly available, either, so in my book the discussion is moot.

 

I pine for Abreu, if only Hendry could pull the big trade. It would solve all the Cubs' lineup problems in one fell swoop. Absent that, I think the Floyd murmurs make the most sense, he's closer to what the Cubs need in corner OF, he is apparently available? And he's not terribly expensive. I liked the Bradley option a lot more for CF, for RF? Not as much.

 

What happened to the Wellemeyer for Bigbie rumors? I like Bigbie as a bench outfielder, we need one more to go with Mabry.

I agree with you re: Wilkerson. He's a good ballplayer but I'll take Pierre the sure thing over all-or-nothing Wilkerson.

 

I wasn't aware of Welly for Bigbie rumors, but why we haven't jumped all over that deal is beyond me.

 

I can't remember now if it was Rotoworld or the rumors site, but I definitely recall seeing Welly for Bigbie mentioned. And yes, I think Bigbie would be a fine OF bench addition, and no, I do not think he would steal playing time from Murton.

[fromthestretch]

...If you could get a better hitter in Wilkerson...

 

I saw Wilkerson play a lot last year at Nationals games and I'd be hard pressed to say he is a better hitter than too many people other than Christian Guzman. One could say he had a bad year and will rebound, but he he made Preston Wilson look good last year.

 

He played hurt last year...forearm injury. Tough to hit well with an injured forearm.

 

If he's healthy, you're looking at a player that can draw 80-100 walks, hit 20-30 homers, and is capable of playing any of the three outfield postions or first base.

[ltb]

I just don't get the fawning over Wilkerson, I really don't. He can take a BB--wow, so could Mark Bellhorn, and I don't want HIM back.

 

There's no evidence that Wilkerson is truly available, either, so in my book the discussion is moot.

 

I pine for Abreu, if only Hendry could pull the big trade. It would solve all the Cubs' lineup problems in one fell swoop. Absent that, I think the Floyd murmurs make the most sense, he's closer to what the Cubs need in corner OF, he is apparently available? And he's not terribly expensive. I liked the Bradley option a lot more for CF, for RF? Not as much.

 

What happened to the Wellemeyer for Bigbie rumors? I like Bigbie as a bench outfielder, we need one more to go with Mabry.

I agree with you re: Wilkerson. He's a good ballplayer but I'll take Pierre the sure thing over all-or-nothing Wilkerson.

 

I wasn't aware of Welly for Bigbie rumors, but why we haven't jumped all over that deal is beyond me.

 

I can't remember now if it was Rotoworld or the rumors site, but I definitely recall seeing Welly for Bigbie mentioned. And yes, I think Bigbie would be a fine OF bench addition, and no, I do not think he would steal playing time from Murton.

 

that rumor was on roto, so at least it could be considered legit.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I just don't get the fawning over Wilkerson, I really don't. He can take a BB--wow, so could Mark Bellhorn, and I don't want HIM back.

 

Wilkerson takes a ton of walks, and he hits for a good deal of power. He plays a serviceable center field. He's no Milton Bradley defensively, but he's better than Pierre. What don't you like about him? AVG? K's?

[radarluv1]

im just curious how everyone would grade the offseason if they get floyd, and stop there. that and a healthy pitching staff should be enough to contend.

[Andy]

im just curious how everyone would grade the offseason if they get floyd, and stop there. that and a healthy pitching staff should be enough to contend.

With what's happened to the Cardinals, and the Astros still making no significant offensive upgrades as of yet, I think we'd have a better than expected chance of contending with a Murton/Pierre/Floyd outfield. It's not a stretch to think that one of Murton or Cedeno will end up being a very good player for us in 06, so I'd like that team.

[radarluv1]

im just curious how everyone would grade the offseason if they get floyd, and stop there. that and a healthy pitching staff should be enough to contend.

With what's happened to the Cardinals, and the Astros still making no significant offensive upgrades as of yet, I think we'd have a better than expected chance of contending with a Murton/Pierre/Floyd outfield. It's not a stretch to think that one of Murton or Cedeno will end up being a very good player for us in 06, so I'd like that team.

 

has anything happened?

[Drew Doughty]

No Sanders, no Walker, no Grudz. Missed out on Burnett and Giles.

[Andy]

im just curious how everyone would grade the offseason if they get floyd, and stop there. that and a healthy pitching staff should be enough to contend.

With what's happened to the Cardinals, and the Astros still making no significant offensive upgrades as of yet, I think we'd have a better than expected chance of contending with a Murton/Pierre/Floyd outfield. It's not a stretch to think that one of Murton or Cedeno will end up being a very good player for us in 06, so I'd like that team.

 

has anything happened?

They haven't improved, they've all gotten a year older, they might not get Sanders back, and all indications are that they're looking at Jacque Jones and Bret Boone.

 

Should those rumors prove true, I'd give us a decent shot.

[Dr. Cub]

No Sanders, no Walker, no Grudz. Missed out on Burnett and Giles.

 

So they'll only have 95 wins?

[Drew Doughty]

basically

[RynoRules]

I think its fair to say that the Stros and Cards may take a small step back each. But the Brew Crew is right behind us (or in the case of 2005, ahead of us).

 

:pukel:

[da bears]

Cardinals definitely will have lost some parts to that offense, but in the end, they're the Cardinals, and they will somehow find some no name scrub who comes in the line up and hits .300 and gets them clutch hits. Its seemed that way the last two years, anyways. Oh and who could forgot Abraham Nunez.

[Soul]

A definite upgrade from our leadoff/CF position a year ago. So congrats to Hendry for that.

 

But we're 20+ games away from contending in this division. I would need to see more before calling us a true contending ballclub in '06

[USSoccer]

A definite upgrade from our leadoff/CF position a year ago. So congrats to Hendry for that.

 

But we're 20+ games away from contending in this division. I would need to see more before calling us a true contending ballclub in '06

 

A lot still hinges on RF, and the health and performance of our pitching staff.

[katway]

I just don't get the fawning over Wilkerson, I really don't. He can take a BB--wow, so could Mark Bellhorn, and I don't want HIM back.

 

Wilkerson takes a ton of walks, and he hits for a good deal of power. He plays a serviceable center field. He's no Milton Bradley defensively, but he's better than Pierre. What don't you like about him? AVG? K's?

 

I saw Wilkerson play last year in the nationals games I attended in DC and he had little power (11 HRs in 565 ABs), played poor defensively (the Nats prefered he play corner or first), and he would K a lot in contact situations.

 

While I think he may turn it around a be a solid ball player. He would not have satisfied our need for a leadoff hitter and barely looked better than Christian guzman in many of the games.

[jmajew]

Not sure if this has been posted yet, I don't feel like reading the entire thread, but I read somewhere if the Cubs get either Wilkerson or Bradley they would move Pierre to Left and put Murton in Right. I think they would do that to help hide the fact Pierre has one of the weakest arms in baseball. Does this make sense to any of you?

[JeffH]

Not sure if this has been posted yet, I don't feel like reading the entire thread, but I read somewhere if the Cubs get either Wilkerson or Bradley they would move Pierre to Left and put Murton in Right. I think they would do that to help hide the fact Pierre has one of the weakest arms in baseball. Does this make sense to any of you?

 

No. Zero chance Pierre plays LF. Zero chance Murton plays RF.