Pierre Gone?

[b_wiggy_66]

I have been seeing many articles about the Cubs offseason and none of them have mentioned anything about Pierre in them. Does this mean he won't be back? Personally, I dont really want him back he did hit well the second half, but I think his best days are behind him. He doesn't have quite the speed he used to and those slappers are going to start turning into outs. His basestealing wasn't as good as it should have been he was caught stealing 20 times, and that noodle of an arm he has out there is pathetic. I think we would be better off with Soriano in CF and Lugo in the infield so he could lead off. Lugo has a higher OBP and he is a better all around batter, he has more pop and can hit the ball hard to the outfield. I think that would be the better choice to go with.

[goonys evil twin]

There are multiple writers that have suggested Pierre is one of the lone bright spots and needs to be retained, while at the same time dying to see Ramirez leave.

[Wheelimus]

There are multiple writers that have suggested Pierre is one of the lone bright spots and needs to be retained, while at the same time dying to see Ramirez leave.

 

So multiple writers with head trauma, eh?

 

(assuming that meant sports writers and not writers here, heh, if so I apologize!)

[Andy]

From what I've seen it seems pretty much a given that Pierre will go into free agency, which means he is gone because I'm pretty sure that he will get more money than what Hendry will offer.

[Soriano12]

Although some don't believe in analyzing segments of seasons per say....

 

This guy was arguably the worst leadoff hitter in baseball during April and May. This was one of the factors that contributed to the Cubs start from hell.

[Magnetic Curses]

There are multiple writers that have suggested Pierre is one of the lone bright spots and needs to be retained, while at the same time dying to see Ramirez leave.

 

pierre hustles and hustling is the most important part of the game! remember the gashouse gang? they hustled, never washed their uniforms and won the world series, hence hustling and dirty uniforms or just poor hygiene practices are necessary to build a world series team.

[Magnetic Curses]

From what I've seen it seems pretty much a given that Pierre will go into free agency, which means he is gone because I'm pretty sure that he will get more money than what Hendry will offer.

 

from what i can tell pierre didn't like it on the north side of town. i'm glad.

[Wheelimus]

Did we ever find out if draft pick compensation was going away or not? Because if we don't get something in return...ugh!

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Jim and Lou both like him

 

Ramirez does not have to declare his intentions until two weeks after the World Series ends. The same is true for Juan Pierre, a potential free agent, whom Hendry would like to keep in the Cubs' lineup.

 

"I think Juan is an outstanding guy, a great teammate, a hard worker, and I think he's earned the right to test the market," Hendry said. "In the free-agent world, that's probably the toughest thing to figure out now -- what is the market value [of a leadoff hitter]. I think it's wrong to speculate that he's going to hit the market and never come back. We've had some talks with his agent, but you have to want to be here, too. If he wants to be here, we'll find a way to make it work."

 

Piniella sounded as if he'd like Pierre back at the top of the Cubs' lineup.

 

"Juan Pierre's a good player, a really good player," Piniella said. "He got off to a slow start, and probably because of the cooler weather after being in Miami. He's been on a championship team, and he's a winner."

[goonys evil twin]

Jim and Lou both like him

 

Ramirez does not have to declare his intentions until two weeks after the World Series ends. The same is true for Juan Pierre, a potential free agent, whom Hendry would like to keep in the Cubs' lineup.

 

"I think Juan is an outstanding guy, a great teammate, a hard worker, and I think he's earned the right to test the market," Hendry said. "In the free-agent world, that's probably the toughest thing to figure out now -- what is the market value [of a leadoff hitter]. I think it's wrong to speculate that he's going to hit the market and never come back. We've had some talks with his agent, but you have to want to be here, too. If he wants to be here, we'll find a way to make it work."

 

Piniella sounded as if he'd like Pierre back at the top of the Cubs' lineup.

 

"Juan Pierre's a good player, a really good player," Piniella said. "He got off to a slow start, and probably because of the cooler weather after being in Miami. He's been on a championship team, and he's a winner."

 

Jim's words come off as if he's just blowing smoke and being nice.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

 

"If he wants to be here, we'll find a way to make it work."

 

Jim's words come off as if he's just blowing smoke and being nice.

 

Generally I agree, but that part scares the hell out of me.

[MPrior]

Jim and Lou both like him

 

Ramirez does not have to declare his intentions until two weeks after the World Series ends. The same is true for Juan Pierre, a potential free agent, whom Hendry would like to keep in the Cubs' lineup.

 

"I think Juan is an outstanding guy, a great teammate, a hard worker, and I think he's earned the right to test the market," Hendry said. "In the free-agent world, that's probably the toughest thing to figure out now -- what is the market value [of a leadoff hitter]. I think it's wrong to speculate that he's going to hit the market and never come back. We've had some talks with his agent, but you have to want to be here, too. If he wants to be here, we'll find a way to make it work."

 

Piniella sounded as if he'd like Pierre back at the top of the Cubs' lineup.

 

"Juan Pierre's a good player, a really good player," Piniella said. "He got off to a slow start, and probably because of the cooler weather after being in Miami. He's been on a championship team, and he's a winner."

 

Jim's words come off as if he's just blowing smoke and being nice.

 

I sure hope so. Retaining Pierre would be entirely counterproductive.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I think Pierre is an option, but the Cubs know they have to add a big bat. I expect the Cubs to make an arbitration offer and keep tabs with Pierre, but fully expect him to leave.

 

On the other hand, if the Cubs acquire a power bat at second or at SS, then the Cubs could look at Pierre as an option.

[Laura]

From what I've seen it seems pretty much a given that Pierre will go into free agency, which means he is gone because I'm pretty sure that he will get more money than what Hendry will offer.

 

from what i can tell pierre didn't like it on the north side of town. i'm glad.

 

I haven't heard Hendry say something like "but you have to want to be here, too" about another player. It sure seems like Pierre wants to test free agency and I hope he does. The traded players are already a sunk cause cost ...

Edited October 19, 2006 by Laura

[goonys evil twin]

I think Pierre is an option, but the Cubs know they have to add a big bat. I expect the Cubs to make an arbitration offer and keep tabs with Pierre, but fully expect him to leave.

 

On the other hand, if the Cubs acquire a power bat at second or at SS, then the Cubs could look at Pierre as an option.

 

I could easily see them dealing away Murton, acquiring Lee, then playing Izturis and a Cedeno/Theroit combo at 2nd. I just hope that won't happen.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I think Hendry has a feeling that Pierre doesn't want to come back, even if there was a competitve offer on the table.

 

My guess is this year in Chicago was not a positive experience for Juan and he wants a change of scenery.

[BigbadB]

I think Hendry has a feeling that Pierre doesn't want to come back, even if there was a competitve offer on the table.

 

My guess is this year in Chicago was not a positive experience for Juan and he wants a change of scenery.

 

I also think he'll want that big contract that he thinks he deserves, and the Cubs would be nuts to offer it to him.

 

The Padres might lose Roberts and Cameron. They might offer up a lengthy deal for a guy like Pierre. They will want someone who can cover a lot of ground in CF and can lead off.

[Balsa]

I think Hendry has a feeling that Pierre doesn't want to come back, even if there was a competitve offer on the table.

 

My guess is this year in Chicago was not a positive experience for Juan and he wants a change of scenery.

I really think this is true. I remember listening to the WGN podcast when they interviewed Juan at the end of the year, and he did NOT sound happy with his experience.

 

That, combined with the fact that Hendry won't pay what Juan is after, leads me to hopefully beleive Pierre won't be back.

[b_wiggy_66]

I think Hendry has a feeling that Pierre doesn't want to come back, even if there was a competitve offer on the table.

 

My guess is this year in Chicago was not a positive experience for Juan and he wants a change of scenery.

 

I also think he'll want that big contract that he thinks he deserves, and the Cubs would be nuts to offer it to him.

 

The Padres might lose Roberts and Cameron. They might offer up a lengthy deal for a guy like Pierre. They will want someone who can cover a lot of ground in CF and can lead off.

 

Don't forget the White Sox, Phillies or Rockies either. They have all said they would want him. As far as I am concerned they can have him. Pierre was a Dusty boy and he said he wanted Dusty to stay so much he can go with him.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Did we ever find out if draft pick compensation was going away or not? Because if we don't get something in return...ugh!

 

Still no official confirmation either way.

[Andy]

I think Hendry has a feeling that Pierre doesn't want to come back, even if there was a competitve offer on the table.

 

My guess is this year in Chicago was not a positive experience for Juan and he wants a change of scenery.

 

I also think he'll want that big contract that he thinks he deserves, and the Cubs would be nuts to offer it to him.

 

The Padres might lose Roberts and Cameron. They might offer up a lengthy deal for a guy like Pierre. They will want someone who can cover a lot of ground in CF and can lead off.

 

Don't forget the White Sox, Phillies or Rockies either. They have all said they would want him. As far as I am concerned they can have him. Pierre was a Dusty boy and he said he wanted Dusty to stay so much he can go with him.

I would love to see Pierre on the South Side.

[Warren Brusstar]

What I want to know is why Pierre is constantly lauded by Chicago baseball writers for performing at career norms from June - September, while ARam is hammered by those same writers for doing likewise.

 

In any event, to the extent Soriano is the Cubs No. 1 target, it's not a terrible idea because he gives them so much positional flexibility. They can plug him into CF into Pie is ready, with Murton (LF) and Theriot (2B) essentially competing to see who is displaced by Soriano when Pie is ready. Then, you move Soriano to LF or 2B.

[goonys evil twin]

What I want to know is why Pierre is constantly lauded by Chicago baseball writers for performing at career norms from June - September, while ARam is hammered by those same writers for doing likewise.

 

Many reasons:

 

writers like hustle and trying, and you can't write a story without saying Pierre hustles and tries hard while Ramirez doesn't

 

writers like picking on the "new" baseball where homeruns are big deals, and they really like guys who just put the ball in play

 

writers like the bunt and stolen base and think of them as lost arts

 

pierre played on a WS winner, and Ramirez has played for the Cubs and Pirates. If there's one things writers will fall back on more than anything else, it's the notion that players are winners or losers depending on which teams they've played on.

[TheDude]

What I want to know is why Pierre is constantly lauded by Chicago baseball writers for performing at career norms from June - September, while ARam is hammered by those same writers for doing likewise.

 

Many reasons:

 

writers like hustle and trying, and you can't write a story without saying Pierre hustles and tries hard while Ramirez doesn't

 

writers like picking on the "new" baseball where homeruns are big deals, and they really like guys who just put the ball in play

 

writers like the bunt and stolen base and think of them as lost arts

 

pierre played on a WS winner, and Ramirez has played for the Cubs and Pirates. If there's one things writers will fall back on more than anything else, it's the notion that players are winners or losers depending on which teams they've played on.

 

None of those reasons account for the real, primary reason: Ramirez is a run prodcuer and Pierre is not. When Lee went down with injury, Ramirez (and nobody else really) was expected to pick up the slack as the primary run prodcuer, which he didn't.

 

I'm not justifying the argument either way, that's just my view on the their reasoning.

[baseball7897]

I used to be a big Juan Pierre fan. I thought he would return to his 04 form this year. But it never happened. He is probably one of the most selfish baseball players I have seen in awhile. His lack of ability to draw walks at the leadoff spot has really turned me away from being a fan of his.