"No Callup Angers Pie"

[Laura]

The subject is the current headline in the online Trib for this article.

 

Paul Sullivan / The Tribune[/url]"]

Pie peeved

 

Felix Pie will report to Arizona after the season to work out with Triple-A hitting coach Von Joshua. Pie, the Cubs' top-rated prospect, was upset that he was one of the few players on the 40-man roster not to be called up.

 

"Sure he was mad," said Oneiri Fleita, the Cubs' director of player development. "I told him before the game, and he went out and had three hits, then called me after the game and said, 'What do I have to do to get better?'"

 

Fleita said Pie needs to work on his baserunning, bunting and his overaggressiveness at the plate.

 

"Sometimes he swings early in the count, like he knows we don't like to see," Fleita said. "But a lot of that is [lack of] experience."

 

Pie's not the only one who could use some work on baserunning, bunting (meh) and overaggressiveness at the plate.

 

Maybe they should just demote the Cubs?

Edited September 6, 2006 by Laura

[A New Era]

Hey I agree with Pie. He's our top rated prospect, he should get a few weeks of playing time when there is no pressure to win anyway.

 

But we paid prospects for pierre, and we don't want to break his game attendance streak. :roll:

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Good for Felix. Now turn that anger into improving your plate discipline.

 

I have no problem with Pie not being called up - I do have a problem with the reason of needing to play Pierre.

[Brian]

hmmm Pie working with VJ in AZ, and Pie is pissed and determined to get better. Maybe this is for the better.

[Laura]

I do have a problem with the reason of needing to play Pierre.

 

A problem I have is Hendry signing players to play certain positions and not being able to deviate from that. If Hendry is still here and Pie is still with the Cubs when he makes his debut, I fully expect the OF setup to be Pie (either PT/FT) LF - Pierre CF - JJones RF, regardless of the defensive logic of that combination.

[Drew Doughty]

I have a problem with his discipline not improving (if it doesn't, it could, of course) and them working on his bunting. Feels very Corey-ish.

[NorthsideAvenger]

The subject is the current headline in the online Trib for this article.

 

Paul Sullivan / The Tribune[/url]"]

Pie peeved

 

Felix Pie will report to Arizona after the season to work out with Triple-A hitting coach Von Joshua. Pie, the Cubs' top-rated prospect, was upset that he was one of the few players on the 40-man roster not to be called up.

 

"Sure he was mad," said Oneiri Fleita, the Cubs' director of player development. "I told him before the game, and he went out and had three hits, then called me after the game and said, 'What do I have to do to get better?'"

 

Fleita said Pie needs to work on his baserunning, bunting and his overaggressiveness at the plate.

 

"Sometimes he swings early in the count, like he knows we don't like to see," Fleita said. "But a lot of that is [lack of] experience."

 

Pie's not the only one who could use some work on baserunning, bunting (meh) and overaggressiveness at the plate.

 

Maybe they should just demote the Cubs?

 

The non call up is definately good news. And I think this snippet is what going to separately Felix Pie to Corey Patterson.

 

I like the fact that he was "upset' at not getting call up, went out and had a good game, and then found his coach and asked him what he could do better. I like that fire that Pie has shown, and Patterson NEVER showed.

 

I really hope this stop the comparasion between Pie and Patterson. I think Felix now understand what he needs to do to get better, and EARN the callup. Whereas Patterson, just went along with the program.

 

I like this fired Pie just showed.

[Guest]

Let's give the org a little credit, though. I would have preferred to leave the bunting off that list, and would have liked the other two rearranged...but I love that Fleita is talking about "overaggressiveness" at the plate and the need to work deeper counts.

 

 

 

 

 

Of course, that just means they're still grooming Pie for a leadoff role on the team.

[frostwyrm]

You have to be pretty damn aggressive to be called overaggressive by this organization.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Pie should have been called up. While I can understand (though I don't like) the organization letting Pierre continue his streak, Pie could and should fill in some for Jones down the stretch.

 

His baserunning can't be any worse than Jacque's.

[Guest]

Jacque is signed to a 3 year contract. They're not going to piss off a reasonably productive vet by sitting him down the stretch to try out his possible replacement in the field when he's got two years left on his contract. There's also the problem that they both hit lefty, so you can't approach it as a platoon. Since the organization is committed to Murton in left (and Pagan for some reason), it just doesn't leave much room for Pie to get regular reps with the big league crew.

 

By having him work in AZ one on one with VJ, Pie can get some intensive instruction before heading off to winter league to work on what he hears at this point. As has been pointed out by others, I'd much rather have him working that way with Von that up in the majors, sitting on the bench and working with Gene Clines.

 

Felix may not be happy with the move, but I think it's the right one. Of course, that's mainly because I prefer our AAA hitting coach over our major league one. Which is a problem that desperately needs addressing during the offseason.

[JeffH]

I'd much rather have him working that way with Von that up in the majors, sitting on the bench and working with The Ridiculous Gene Clines.

 

Fixed.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I guess there's reasons why this is a good thing, but imo they're overshadowed by the several terrible decisions that this portends(making Pie a leadoff hitter, keeping Pierre, not doing anything with Jones in RF, etc.)

[NewUserName]

Juan Pierres has played in how many straight games? This is just plain stupid!! Its not like he is Cal Ripken, Lou Gehrig, or Billy Williams where the players talent justifies keeping them in the lineup everyday. I wonder how many straight games Omar Moreno played in?

 

If all Pie is going to do is get the scraps in LF after Murton and Pagan, I would just as soon not start his service time. If he would come up and play everyday than I would be all for him coming up.

[mg420]

I guess there's reasons why this is a good thing, but imo they're overshadowed by the several terrible decisions that this portends(making Pie a leadoff hitter, keeping Pierre, not doing anything with Jones in RF, etc.)

 

whats wrong with keeping pierre? with his resurgence he can be a .750 (he's already at .727 even with his horrible first few months) ops guy next year. he plays great defense (aside from the noodle arm) and will have 50 steals this year. i dont see any way that they dont try to resign him. i believe the cubs have already said that they see pie as a #5 or 6 hitter anyway rather than a leadoff guy (i think it was oneri?). i think he will be switched to rf in iowa next year. if he takes off in 07 in aaa, they can always trade jones & bring pie up.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I guess there's reasons why this is a good thing, but imo they're overshadowed by the several terrible decisions that this portends(making Pie a leadoff hitter, keeping Pierre, not doing anything with Jones in RF, etc.)

 

whats wrong with keeping pierre? with his resurgence he can be a .750 (he's already at .727 even with his horrible first few months) ops guy next year. he plays great defense (aside from the noodle arm) and will have 50 steals this year. i dont see any way that they dont try to resign him. i believe the cubs have already said that they see pie as a #5 or 6 hitter anyway rather than a leadoff guy (i think it was oneri?). i think he will be switched to rf in iowa next year. if he takes off in 07 in aaa, they can always trade jones & bring pie up.

 

Keeping Pierre in CF and putting Pie in RF are both disastrous ideas for an already poor offense.

[frostwyrm]

What's really irritates me is that Pierre was on a real nice hot streak going into the deadline and surely had good trade value. By keeping him Hendry stupidly failed to cash in on his trade value AND prevented Pie from coming up this year. If Pierre walks then Hendry will look very stupid. But then I don't want Pierre back, so I'll also complain if he resigns.

[soapy]

I guess there's reasons why this is a good thing, but imo they're overshadowed by the several terrible decisions that this portends(making Pie a leadoff hitter, keeping Pierre, not doing anything with Jones in RF, etc.)

 

whats wrong with keeping pierre? with his resurgence he can be a .750 (he's already at .727 even with his horrible first few months) ops guy next year. he plays great defense (aside from the noodle arm) and will have 50 steals this year. i dont see any way that they dont try to resign him. i believe the cubs have already said that they see pie as a #5 or 6 hitter anyway rather than a leadoff guy (i think it was oneri?). i think he will be switched to rf in iowa next year. if he takes off in 07 in aaa, they can always trade jones & bring pie up.

 

What about Pierre's past/present makes you think he can put up a .750 OPS over a full season in 2007? He's done it exactly once in the last four years (2004). Over that same time span, he's been under .700 OPS twice (2002 and 2005).

[mg420]

I guess there's reasons why this is a good thing, but imo they're overshadowed by the several terrible decisions that this portends(making Pie a leadoff hitter, keeping Pierre, not doing anything with Jones in RF, etc.)

 

whats wrong with keeping pierre? with his resurgence he can be a .750 (he's already at .727 even with his horrible first few months) ops guy next year. he plays great defense (aside from the noodle arm) and will have 50 steals this year. i dont see any way that they dont try to resign him. i believe the cubs have already said that they see pie as a #5 or 6 hitter anyway rather than a leadoff guy (i think it was oneri?). i think he will be switched to rf in iowa next year. if he takes off in 07 in aaa, they can always trade jones & bring pie up.

 

What about Pierre's past/present makes you think he can put up a .750 OPS over a full season in 2007? He's done it exactly once in the last four years (2004). Over that same time span, he's been under .700 OPS twice (2002 and 2005).

 

perhaps having a .727 even with a horrendous start?

[mg420]

I guess there's reasons why this is a good thing, but imo they're overshadowed by the several terrible decisions that this portends(making Pie a leadoff hitter, keeping Pierre, not doing anything with Jones in RF, etc.)

 

whats wrong with keeping pierre? with his resurgence he can be a .750 (he's already at .727 even with his horrible first few months) ops guy next year. he plays great defense (aside from the noodle arm) and will have 50 steals this year. i dont see any way that they dont try to resign him. i believe the cubs have already said that they see pie as a #5 or 6 hitter anyway rather than a leadoff guy (i think it was oneri?). i think he will be switched to rf in iowa next year. if he takes off in 07 in aaa, they can always trade jones & bring pie up.

 

Keeping Pierre in CF and putting Pie in RF are both disastrous ideas for an already poor offense.

i disagree

[Andy]

If Felix gets three hits every time he's annoyed, I can't wait for him to be in a Cubs uniform.

[soapy]

I guess there's reasons why this is a good thing, but imo they're overshadowed by the several terrible decisions that this portends(making Pie a leadoff hitter, keeping Pierre, not doing anything with Jones in RF, etc.)

 

whats wrong with keeping pierre? with his resurgence he can be a .750 (he's already at .727 even with his horrible first few months) ops guy next year. he plays great defense (aside from the noodle arm) and will have 50 steals this year. i dont see any way that they dont try to resign him. i believe the cubs have already said that they see pie as a #5 or 6 hitter anyway rather than a leadoff guy (i think it was oneri?). i think he will be switched to rf in iowa next year. if he takes off in 07 in aaa, they can always trade jones & bring pie up.

 

What about Pierre's past/present makes you think he can put up a .750 OPS over a full season in 2007? He's done it exactly once in the last four years (2004). Over that same time span, he's been under .700 OPS twice (2002 and 2005).

 

perhaps having a .727 even with a horrendous start?

 

Who's to say he won't have a stretch like that again next year? He wasn't close to productive in 2005, and would have to remain hot over this next month to reach your .750 number. If he doesn't, that would put him at .750 once in five years. I see no reason to think he can continue his current hot streak over the length of a whole season at this point. He's not getting any younger.

 

It's possible, but your acting like he's a .750 OPS guy. I would say he isn't. He'd actually have to improve, at age 30, to get there.

[mg420]

I guess there's reasons why this is a good thing, but imo they're overshadowed by the several terrible decisions that this portends(making Pie a leadoff hitter, keeping Pierre, not doing anything with Jones in RF, etc.)

 

whats wrong with keeping pierre? with his resurgence he can be a .750 (he's already at .727 even with his horrible first few months) ops guy next year. he plays great defense (aside from the noodle arm) and will have 50 steals this year. i dont see any way that they dont try to resign him. i believe the cubs have already said that they see pie as a #5 or 6 hitter anyway rather than a leadoff guy (i think it was oneri?). i think he will be switched to rf in iowa next year. if he takes off in 07 in aaa, they can always trade jones & bring pie up.

 

What about Pierre's past/present makes you think he can put up a .750 OPS over a full season in 2007? He's done it exactly once in the last four years (2004). Over that same time span, he's been under .700 OPS twice (2002 and 2005).

 

perhaps having a .727 even with a horrendous start?

 

Who's to say he won't have a stretch like that again next year? He wasn't close to productive in 2005, and would have to remain hot over this next month to reach your .750 number. If he doesn't, that would put him at .750 once in five years. I see no reason to think he can continue his current hot streak over the length of a whole season at this point. He's not getting any younger.

 

It's possible, but your acting like he's a .750 OPS guy. I would say he isn't. He'd actually have to improve, at age 30, to get there.

 

his career ops is .730 & the way he has come on so strong the past few months indicates to me that a .750 next year is not unreasonable. players do improve at age 30 btw-not every player fits into the production curve.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

What makes Pierre's hot streak a sign of things to come and his stretch of terrible play the aberration? What makes what he's doing sustainable? It appears to me he's not doing anything differently, just a hot streak where he hits for a higher average. That's what happens to players like Pierre, their value is so tied to average that they are prone to extreme swings in either direction. Pierre has shown with his total performance through his career that he's going to be poor offensively on the whole.

[halplm]

Nothing will change if the front office doesn't change... it's really that simple.