Am I the only one...

[harrdb00]

Who would like to see Pierre back with the Cubs next year? I know his OBP is not ideal, but seeing the way he has hit the ball over the past month has reminded me what he is capable of. Over this this time he has been the disruptive presence that we all had hoped he'd be.

 

I have visions of him rebounding with a strong second half and springboarding that into a strong 2007. Many people on the boards (including me) feel the Cubs buy high and sell low. Well, with JP being bought high and now sinking, I think it would make sense for them to buy low and sign him now while his price has come down.

 

I know people on this board don't much care for intangibles, but I feel that JP does bring them. He takes responsibility for his play (when he was scuffling and the Cubs were scuffling he placed all the blame on himself), and he hustles - all the time. This guy is a good guy to have around when the Cubs are bringing up young guys like Pie, Murton, Ronnie, etc, so they can see how a major league player should play.

 

Let's not forget that he is still better than Patterson in '04 and '05. The Cubs have trotted out worse CF'ers in the past, Damon Buford anyone?

[CP_414]

For the right price. 3/$15M.

 

In reality he will get closer to 3/$24M at least.

[Iceblink]

I'd be fine with seeing him back next year, depending on how his bat holds up the rest of the way.

 

I do not, however, want to see him with a 3 year contract. I'd go for one year and no more.

 

Someone will probably throw the 3 year deal at him, and I wouldn't match it.

[harrdb00]

For the right price. 3/$15M.

 

In reality he will get closer to 3/$24M at least.

 

I agree. For the right price. I think I would go as high as 3/20, but then again, it isn't my money.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Emphatic no to bringing back Pierre.

[harrdb00]

Emphatic no to bringing back Pierre.

 

Who would you have in CF next year then? I dont' think Pie is quite ready.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Emphatic no to bringing back Pierre.

 

Who would you have in CF next year then? I dont' think Pie is quite ready.

 

I'd rather stick Pie in the 8 spot everyday and not expect anything from him than bring back Pierre. As far as alternatives go, it depends on what else you do with the lineup, and how much production you'd need to get from the position.

[RonnieWooWooSanto]

Emphatic no to bringing back Pierre.

 

Who would you have in CF next year then? I dont' think Pie is quite ready.

 

My overall problem with Pierre is his weak arm. I atleast want runner to think twice about stretching for an extra base.

 

I'd prefer they move Jacque to center until Pie is ready and sign Trot Nixon for right field. Then a strong OBP is provided by Nixon and Jones provides power from CF.

[Outshined_One]

The worry I have with Pierre is that this organization goes out and finds a manager who comes from the old school. He'll take one look at Pierre and bat him leadoff. Pierre is not an ideal leadoff guy since his OBP is so heavily dependent on contact and infield hits than anything else. As we've seen, the guy gets streaky and doesn't offer much beyond what his speed provides.

 

I'd be fine bringing him back with the understanding that he'd be hitting at the bottom half of the order. But, I doubt this team would do that.

[abuck1220]

Emphatic no to bringing back Pierre.

 

Who would you have in CF next year then? I dont' think Pie is quite ready.

 

i'd consider moving jones to cf. his offense would look a lot better there.

[Jon]

Buford's 2000 with the Cubs: .251/.324/.390

Pierre's 2006: .273/.318/.358

Pierre's 2005: .276/.326/.354

 

Pierre shouldn't be starting for any team that wants to contend.

[KaiserCesar]

Emphatic no to bringing back Pierre.

 

Who would you have in CF next year then? I dont' think Pie is quite ready.

 

Dave Roberts is a cheap, short term option in center, or you can move Jacque there as others have mentioned, if an impact corner OF could be brought in.

[Tracer Bullet]

Emphatic no to bringing back Pierre.

 

I give this post my full support.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Pierre at least has hit well enough that I have no problem offering him arbitration. Hopefully he's a class A FA and will get us a first round pick.

[d_money]

Pierre will be back and probably at more than you or I could ever imagine (3/24). While I don't like his arm, he brings alot of intangibles to the plate (hard worker, aggressive base stealer, ok OBP, lead off)...becoming a leader in the clubhouse for the younger guys. He'll test the FA market and come back to the Chubbs. I'm not happy w/ it but I have not heard of an alternative that could bring more - Dave Roberts? Don't think so, he's a rental until Pie is ready, if he ever makes it.

[USSoccer]

Pierre will be back and probably at more than you or I could ever imagine (3/24). While I don't like his arm, he brings alot of intangibles to the plate (hard worker, aggressive base stealer, ok OBP, lead off)...becoming a leader in the clubhouse for the younger guys. He'll test the FA market and come back to the Chubbs. I'm not happy w/ it but I have not heard of an alternative that could bring more - Dave Roberts? Don't think so, he's a rental until Pie is ready, if he ever makes it.

 

Most of the intangibles you lised are useless. He can't steal bases unless he's on base, and he has trouble getting on base consistently, which means he's a terrible lead off option. If we had a manager that would bat him 7 or 8, I could see it, since he's not awful, but he's not the kind of player you want ahead of Ramirez, Lee and Barrett.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Pierre will be back and probably at more than you or I could ever imagine (3/24). While I don't like his arm, he brings alot of intangibles to the plate (hard worker, aggressive base stealer, ok OBP, lead off)...becoming a leader in the clubhouse for the younger guys. He'll test the FA market and come back to the Chubbs. I'm not happy w/ it but I have not heard of an alternative that could bring more - Dave Roberts? Don't think so, he's a rental until Pie is ready, if he ever makes it.

 

Gary Matthews Jr. would be a better option than Pierre.

[BigbadB]

Pierre at least has hit well enough that I have no problem offering him arbitration. Hopefully he's a class A FA and will get us a first round pick.

 

Alex Sanchez career: .296/.330/.372

 

Is Alex Sanchez a class A FA? No. Does Juan Pierre's last 2 years compare with Sanchez? No. The only 2 things Pierre has on Sanchez is AB and a clean bill of health. That teams are dumb enough to continue hitting such a poor hitting hitter at the top of the order does not make him a class A free agent.

 

If the Cubs want to fill CF next year, they could get the same or better effects by trading for Sanchez. No thanks. The Cubs have somewhat identical options in their own minor leagues if they want a fast, low OBP lead off hitter who will make really fast outs.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Pierre at least has hit well enough that I have no problem offering him arbitration. Hopefully he's a class A FA and will get us a first round pick.

 

Alex Sanchez career: .296/.330/.372

 

Is Alex Sanchez a class A FA? No. Does Juan Pierre's last 2 years compare with Sanchez? No. The only 2 things Pierre has on Sanchez is AB and a clean bill of health. That teams are dumb enough to continue hitting such a poor hitting hitter at the top of the order does not make him a class A free agent.

 

If the Cubs want to fill CF next year, they could get the same or better effects by trading for Sanchez. No thanks. The Cubs have somewhat identical options in their own minor leagues if they want a fast, low OBP lead off hitter who will make really fast outs.

 

I don't want to keep Pierre. Please don't mistake my post for a desire to keep Pierre. In fact, I'd personally try to deal him prior to July 31. On the other hand, if he's still on the team, I think the Cubs have to risk the arbitration offer. If he's had a half-way decent second half, I think he'll reject the offer in favor of negotiating a multi-year deal which will help the Cubs recoup a draft pick that will likely be spent when we sign a FA of our own.

[soccer10k]

Pierre at least has hit well enough that I have no problem offering him arbitration. Hopefully he's a class A FA and will get us a first round pick.

 

Alex Sanchez career: .296/.330/.372

 

Is Alex Sanchez a class A FA? No. Does Juan Pierre's last 2 years compare with Sanchez? No. The only 2 things Pierre has on Sanchez is AB and a clean bill of health. That teams are dumb enough to continue hitting such a poor hitting hitter at the top of the order does not make him a class A free agent.

 

If the Cubs want to fill CF next year, they could get the same or better effects by trading for Sanchez. No thanks. The Cubs have somewhat identical options in their own minor leagues if they want a fast, low OBP lead off hitter who will make really fast outs.

 

I don't want to keep Pierre. Please don't mistake my post for a desire to keep Pierre. In fact, I'd personally try to deal him prior to July 31. On the other hand, if he's still on the team, I think the Cubs have to risk the arbitration offer. If he's had a half-way decent second half, I think he'll reject the offer in favor of negotiating a multi-year deal which will help the Cubs recoup a draft pick that will likely be spent when we sign a FA of our own.

 

Agreed. I believe that some team will offer Pierre a multi year deal. Not sure who that is, but I don't see Pierre signing a one year deal especially if he continues to improve.