SURPRISE....surprise....oh those spring surprises

[Ivy Walls]

My favorite cliche is "that is why they play the games". When Spring Training began my dark horse was Ryu, (and he did well to display) but the real Spring Surprise has been the accent of Marshall to the probably #4 for April's irregular rotation. Watch out Rusch, Prior, Wood & Miller when April is done and Wood returns he end up being in the rotation through the rest of summer!

 

The other surprise is the Pagan's accent to a bona fide find as a #4 OF'er, Pagan might be so good that he is the RH platoon for Jones in RF.

 

The other surprise is yet to come since the Cubs appear to have a yoyo 25th position available on the roster, it could be Theriot or it could be an acquisition from March 31st's scrap heap. I wouldn't be surprised that Hendry trades Williams along with another (Walker?) to add something to 25 man roster that is a difference maker and to the minor system. (Would you take Vidro and platoon him with Hairston? Something is going to happen.)

 

The last surprise was Murton's offensive stamp, look for him to bolt out of the gate and secure his place in the lineup, period.

 

Other items of note: Guzman re-established himself as a bona fide. Simply log some healthy innings and he will be pitching here next year no doubt. He could be what the Cubs need to let Wood go FA. Ryu as a I mentioned also put himself on the radar. Hill appears destined for the bullpen as he could be a heck of a LOOGY....just throw strikes.

 

Finally Pie has put himself into position to push Pierre and his high $$ ideas to the marketplace but he too must do what he did in AAA that he did in AA.

 

Questions: Wuertz, Novoa, Rusch, Williams, Cedeno, Lee & Williamson. Some are small questions like Williamson's back, Lee signing an extension, Cedeno playing defense, others are apprehensions like Rusch, Wuertz, Novoa and then the big one is Williams. Finally can the OF play good enough defense and will the Cubs win 90 or more.

[Soul]

Pierre as a 1-year player is not something that just developed this spring.

 

It was always a possibility, and I tried to tell everyone that was the case.

[Ivy Walls]

than rent-a-OF'er.

 

But OTOH, there were statements by the Cubs that they would entertain oppty's to extend Pierre's contract, that didn't materialize.

 

For every action there is a reaction....

 

So IF Pie has a steller AAA first half of the year, .330 plus 10-HR's plus 15 SB's and good defense, WHAT IF...the Cubs looked into trading Pierre in and around the All Star break for good value in return.....

 

Especially IF Pagan shows he too can play then the risk of trading Pierre is mitigated in the OF by platooning Pie like Florida platooned Cabrera in '03.

[MeatampPotatoesMan]

I'm all for trading Pierre right now straight across for Furcal. :lol:

[TrueBlueCubFan]

I'm all for trading Pierre right now straight across for Furcal. :lol:

The Dodgers can keep their ridiculous contract.

[Jehrico]

I'm all for trading Pierre right now straight across for Furcal. :lol:

The Dodgers can keep their ridiculous contract.

Maybe the idiots Colletti and Bowden can get together on a trade?

[Ivy Walls]

Pierre will be trade value if or when two things appear:

 

One; Pie establishes himself in AAA like Cedeno did last year (or Murton did in AA last year) and

 

Two; when another contender loses an OF'er and seeks out the Cubs before July 31st.

[badgercub]

Pierre will be trade value if or when two things appear:

 

One; Pie establishes himself in AAA like Cedeno did last year (or Murton did in AA last year) and

 

Two; when another contender loses an OF'er and seeks out the Cubs before July 31st.

 

Like it or not, Pierre is the only legitimate option as a leadoff hitter for this team. You can talk about Pie all you want, but he is not a leadoff hitter and if the Cubs try to make him into one I think they will regret it. If the Cubs do trade Pierre they had better find someone to bat first in the lineup unless they plan on putting Hairston or Walker in the leadoff spot.

[UBlink]

Pierre will be trade value if or when two things appear:

 

One; Pie establishes himself in AAA like Cedeno did last year (or Murton did in AA last year) and

 

Two; when another contender loses an OF'er and seeks out the Cubs before July 31st.

 

Like it or not, Pierre is the only legitimate option as a leadoff hitter for this team. You can talk about Pie all you want, but he is not a leadoff hitter and if the Cubs try to make him into one I think they will regret it. If the Cubs do trade Pierre they had better find someone to bat first in the lineup unless they plan on putting Hairston or Walker in the leadoff spot.

 

And that would be a problem because ...? Walker or Hairston leading off, Murton moved to 2 and Pie taking Murton's spot. Sounds like plenty of RBI opportunities for DLee and ARam to me.

[David]

Pierre will be trade value if or when two things appear:

 

One; Pie establishes himself in AAA like Cedeno did last year (or Murton did in AA last year) and

 

Two; when another contender loses an OF'er and seeks out the Cubs before July 31st.

 

Like it or not, Pierre is the only legitimate option as a leadoff hitter for this team. You can talk about Pie all you want, but he is not a leadoff hitter and if the Cubs try to make him into one I think they will regret it. If the Cubs do trade Pierre they had better find someone to bat first in the lineup unless they plan on putting Hairston or Walker in the leadoff spot.

 

I still say Walker is the best option to leadoff on this team.. with or without Pierre.. The balance swings Pierre's way if he can rebound from last year...but we'll just have to wait and see on that.

[bc2k]

 

So IF Pie has a steller AAA first half of the year, .330 plus 10-HR's plus 15 SB's and good defense, WHAT IF...the Cubs looked into trading Pierre in and around the All Star break for good value in return.....

 

Especially IF Pagan shows he too can play then the risk of trading Pierre is mitigated in the OF by platooning Pie like Florida platooned Cabrera in '03.

 

If the Cubs are in playoff contention--legitimate contention, not like last year when Wood was pitching out of the bullpen--then I don't think we can trade Pierre no matter how well Pie is doing in AAA.

 

If we're not contending, and Pie is showing that he can play at the MLB level, then I'd agree to trade Pierre.