Len on Pierre

[The Voice of Reason]

Likes the deal. His view:

 

Pros - Career .305, good leadoff hitter (when he hits .300), contact hitter, tons of groundballs (w/b good at Wrigley), good bunter, tons of stolen bases, very durable (162 games a year), covers a lot of ground in field, hits the cut off man, good characater, nobody works harder.

 

Cons - No power, gets caught stealing a lot (25%), weak arm, doesn't walk a lot.

[CheeseHead Cubs Fan]

I would add to the PRO's... Very tough to strike out!

[Ding Dong Johnson]

I was glad Len put the couch down long enough to talk to Murph. He actually made me feel quite a bit better about the acquisition. I still think we could have done better, but I don't feel quite as bad...

[cubbyvirus00]

He pointed out that Pierre is a well-liked guy, with great character. Good fit in the clubhouse.

[Derwood]

but what does m4d think?

[Outshined_One]

I would add to the PRO's... Very tough to strike out!

 

Alou was a tough strikeout, too. I wouldn't exactly say it was a result of his patience, though.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

but what does m4d think?

 

I think I heard him in the background at Len's house...

[Derwood]

I would add to the PRO's... Very tough to strike out!

 

Alou was a tough strikeout, too. I wouldn't exactly say it was a result of his patience, though.

 

He would have struck out more if not for all those check swing grounders

[The Voice of Reason]

I would add to the PRO's... Very tough to strike out!

 

 

Thanks.

 

He also doesn't think the weak arm will be as much of a factor as some people think given the short power alleys in Wrigley - i.e., Pierre will be responsible for covering a lot less ground than he currently does at Pro Player and his average throws will be of a lesser distance.

[YearofDaCubs]

I would add to the PRO's... Very tough to strike out!

 

 

Thanks.

 

He also doesn't think the weak arm will be as much of a factor as some people think given the short power alleys in Wrigley - i.e., Pierre will be responsible for covering a lot less ground than he currently does at Pro Player and his average throws will be of a lesser distance.

Good point.

[NewUserName]

I will say that his weak arm isnt his only defensive liability. He also doesnt take good routes to the ball. Also probably wont cost them as much at wrigley as other parks.

[CheeseHead Cubs Fan]

I would add to the PRO's... Very tough to strike out!

 

Alou was a tough strikeout, too. I wouldn't exactly say it was a result of his patience, though.

 

 

Alou is a completely different hitter than Juan, however...point taken.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

but what does m4d think?

 

I think I heard him in the background at Len's house...

 

Did you hear the sounds that AIM makes when you get a new buddy message?

[Derwood]

that Zito deal done yet?

[Ding Dong Johnson]

but what does m4d think?

 

I think I heard him in the background at Len's house...

 

Did you hear the sounds that AIM makes when you get a new buddy message?

 

That and I kept hearing "are you 100% sure?" over and over again...

[Outshined_One]

Actually, the strange thing about Juan Pierre, looking at him more in-depth, is that his #P/PA took a noticeable leap to 3.69 last season as opposed to 3.51 and 3.44 in previous years. Kinda makes you wonder why his OBP was as low as it was last season.

[nick23]

I will say that his weak arm isnt his only defensive liability. He also doesnt take good routes to the ball. Also probably wont cost them as much at wrigley as other parks.

I asked this in another thread and it never really got answered. Is it just common knowledge that Pierre is not a good centerfielder? I've never heard anyone speak bad of his defense before all the Pierre to the cubs talk started. Is he considered worse than Patterson in center? I'm asking because i honestly thought he was considered a good CF. I've always known about the weak arm but have never heard all of this talk about bad routes and late jumps. Wher is the information coming from? And who does he compare to defensively in CF?

[CubinNY]

I will say that his weak arm isnt his only defensive liability. He also doesnt take good routes to the ball. Also probably wont cost them as much at wrigley as other parks.

I asked this in another thread and it never really got answered. Is it just common knowledge that Pierre is not a good centerfielder? I've never heard anyone speak bad of his defense before all the Pierre to the cubs talk started. Is he considered worse than Patterson in center? I'm asking because i honestly thought he was considered a good CF. I've always known about the weak arm but have never heard all of this talk about bad routes and late jumps. Wher is the information coming from? And who does he compare to defensively in CF?

 

"Baseball" men who know "the game" think Slappy is a good defender because after all, a Center Fielder has to have good speed. Peirre has great speed and that saves him from tottaly screwing up. He will take a bad angle but make up for it somewhat with his speed. He will break late but make it up with his speed. But he will also not get to some balls because his speed cannot always overcome his judgement. He has a very weak arm, even for a centerfielder.

 

All and all he is a medicore defensive centerfielder in my estimation. He is neither bad nor good. But if he is hobbled in any way he will immediately become a bad defensive centerfielder.

 

Slappy is a one trick pony. All speed. His entire worth is tied up in his foot speed.

[Andy]

Did they make sure his nametag read Len Kasper and not Len Casper?

 

(That's the best of the many pathetically lame jokes that ran through my head...)

[chopsx9]

I will say that his weak arm isnt his only defensive liability. He also doesnt take good routes to the ball. Also probably wont cost them as much at wrigley as other parks.

I asked this in another thread and it never really got answered. Is it just common knowledge that Pierre is not a good centerfielder? I've never heard anyone speak bad of his defense before all the Pierre to the cubs talk started. Is he considered worse than Patterson in center? I'm asking because i honestly thought he was considered a good CF. I've always known about the weak arm but have never heard all of this talk about bad routes and late jumps. Wher is the information coming from? And who does he compare to defensively in CF?

 

"Baseball" men who know "the game" think Slappy is a good defender because after all, a Center Fielder has to have good speed. Peirre has great speed and that saves him from tottaly screwing up. He will take a bad angle but make up for it somewhat with his speed. He will break late but make it up with his speed. But he will also not get to some balls because his speed cannot always overcome his judgement. He has a very weak arm, even for a centerfielder.

 

All and all he is a medicore defensive centerfielder in my estimation. He is neither bad nor good. But if he is hobbled in any way he will immediately become a bad defensive centerfielder.

 

Slappy is a one trick pony. All speed. His entire worth is tied up in his foot speed.

 

I am not trying to disagree with you or pick a fight, because like the OP I don't know, but what is that assesment based on? Is there a scouting report somewhere or this based on your eyewitness accounts.

 

In his defense he has a .305 lifetime average so I would think that makes him a two trick pony. Yes he dropped to .27something last year, but I remeber Grace's avg dropped one year into the .270's but returned to above .300 again after that, so maybe there is hope.

[chopsx9]

1B+SB Edited December 7, 2005 by chopsx8

[Gunned]

I will say that his weak arm isnt his only defensive liability. He also doesnt take good routes to the ball. Also probably wont cost them as much at wrigley as other parks.

I asked this in another thread and it never really got answered. Is it just common knowledge that Pierre is not a good centerfielder? I've never heard anyone speak bad of his defense before all the Pierre to the cubs talk started. Is he considered worse than Patterson in center? I'm asking because i honestly thought he was considered a good CF. I've always known about the weak arm but have never heard all of this talk about bad routes and late jumps. Wher is the information coming from? And who does he compare to defensively in CF?

 

"Baseball" men who know "the game" think Slappy is a good defender because after all, a Center Fielder has to have good speed. Peirre has great speed and that saves him from tottaly screwing up. He will take a bad angle but make up for it somewhat with his speed. He will break late but make it up with his speed. But he will also not get to some balls because his speed cannot always overcome his judgement. He has a very weak arm, even for a centerfielder.

 

All and all he is a medicore defensive centerfielder in my estimation. He is neither bad nor good. But if he is hobbled in any way he will immediately become a bad defensive centerfielder.

 

Slappy is a one trick pony. All speed. His entire worth is tied up in his foot speed.

 

I am not trying to disagree with you or pick a fight, because like the OP I don't know, but what is that assesment based on? Is there a scouting report somewhere or this based on your eyewitness accounts.

 

Here's the Scouts Inc. scouting report that ESPN attaches to every player's page, so take it for what it's worth:

 

"His defense remains a huge plus at spacious Pro Player Stadium. His range allowed the Marlins to get by with Miguel Cabrera and Jeff Conine flanking him for the first four months. Pierre's arm probably precludes him from Gold Glove consideration, but he never gives up on balls in the gap and makes his share of highlight catches. His resemblance to a young Mickey Rivers remains eerie."

[mg420]

I will say that his weak arm isnt his only defensive liability. He also doesnt take good routes to the ball. Also probably wont cost them as much at wrigley as other parks.

I asked this in another thread and it never really got answered. Is it just common knowledge that Pierre is not a good centerfielder? I've never heard anyone speak bad of his defense before all the Pierre to the cubs talk started. Is he considered worse than Patterson in center? I'm asking because i honestly thought he was considered a good CF. I've always known about the weak arm but have never heard all of this talk about bad routes and late jumps. Wher is the information coming from? And who does he compare to defensively in CF?

 

"Baseball" men who know "the game" think Slappy is a good defender because after all, a Center Fielder has to have good speed. Peirre has great speed and that saves him from tottaly screwing up. He will take a bad angle but make up for it somewhat with his speed. He will break late but make it up with his speed. But he will also not get to some balls because his speed cannot always overcome his judgement. He has a very weak arm, even for a centerfielder.

 

All and all he is a medicore defensive centerfielder in my estimation. He is neither bad nor good. But if he is hobbled in any way he will immediately become a bad defensive centerfielder.

 

Slappy is a one trick pony. All speed. His entire worth is tied up in his foot speed.

 

I am not trying to disagree with you or pick a fight, because like the OP I don't know, but what is that assesment based on? Is there a scouting report somewhere or this based on your eyewitness accounts.

 

Here's the Scouts Inc. scouting report that ESPN attaches to every player's page, so take it for what it's worth:

 

"His defense remains a huge plus at spacious Pro Player Stadium. His range allowed the Marlins to get by with Miguel Cabrera and Jeff Conine flanking him for the first four months. Pierre's arm probably precludes him from Gold Glove consideration, but he never gives up on balls in the gap and makes his share of highlight catches. His resemblance to a young Mickey Rivers remains eerie."

 

hmm, who's opinion is more valid- professional scouts or guy on a message board...

[MeatampPotatoesMan]

I will say that his weak arm isnt his only defensive liability. He also doesnt take good routes to the ball. Also probably wont cost them as much at wrigley as other parks.

I asked this in another thread and it never really got answered. Is it just common knowledge that Pierre is not a good centerfielder? I've never heard anyone speak bad of his defense before all the Pierre to the cubs talk started. Is he considered worse than Patterson in center? I'm asking because i honestly thought he was considered a good CF. I've always known about the weak arm but have never heard all of this talk about bad routes and late jumps. Wher is the information coming from? And who does he compare to defensively in CF?

 

"Baseball" men who know "the game" think Slappy is a good defender because after all, a Center Fielder has to have good speed. Peirre has great speed and that saves him from tottaly screwing up. He will take a bad angle but make up for it somewhat with his speed. He will break late but make it up with his speed. But he will also not get to some balls because his speed cannot always overcome his judgement. He has a very weak arm, even for a centerfielder.

 

All and all he is a medicore defensive centerfielder in my estimation. He is neither bad nor good. But if he is hobbled in any way he will immediately become a bad defensive centerfielder.

 

Slappy is a one trick pony. All speed. His entire worth is tied up in his foot speed.

 

I am not trying to disagree with you or pick a fight, because like the OP I don't know, but what is that assesment based on? Is there a scouting report somewhere or this based on your eyewitness accounts.

 

Here's the Scouts Inc. scouting report that ESPN attaches to every player's page, so take it for what it's worth:

 

"His defense remains a huge plus at spacious Pro Player Stadium. His range allowed the Marlins to get by with Miguel Cabrera and Jeff Conine flanking him for the first four months. Pierre's arm probably precludes him from Gold Glove consideration, but he never gives up on balls in the gap and makes his share of highlight catches. His resemblance to a young Mickey Rivers remains eerie."

 

hmm, who's opinion is more valid- professional scouts or guy on a message board...

 

are you kidding me? those espn scouting reports are crap. but hey, if you'd rather take someone's opinion rather than thinking for yourself, more power to ya.

 

you'll get all the pierre you can handle this season. i really doubt you'll be saying the same after 162 games.

[Derwood]

Here's the Scouts Inc. scouting report that ESPN attaches to every player's page, so take it for what it's worth:

 

"His defense remains a huge plus at spacious Pro Player Stadium. His range allowed the Marlins to get by with Miguel Cabrera and Jeff Conine flanking him for the first four months. Pierre's arm probably precludes him from Gold Glove consideration, but he never gives up on balls in the gap and makes his share of highlight catches. His resemblance to a young Mickey Rivers remains eerie."

 

vs. Rotoworld's take on him today:

 

Now the Cubs finally have the 40-man roster room to announce the John Mabry signing. Pierre hit just .278/.326/.354 last season and he's turning into a below average defensive center fielder, so the Cubs shouldn't be in any hurry to sign him to a long-term deal. He'll probably make about $5.5 million in arbitration next season and then he'll be a free agent. As a leadoff hitter, he'll certainly be an upgrade over Neifi Perez and Corey Patterson. Still, Derrek Lee could use more help.