Some Trib CF targets

[Rob]

I liked Pagan too, but only as a fifth outfielder/pinch runner. He shouldn't have gotten nearly as many PA's as he did.

[Soul]

I think Pagan/Pie is a disaster if it happens.

 

Who cares about long term? Let's just get someone who can get on base. I see no reason why Brady Clark couldn't fill that bill for a year or two.

 

Pie will struggle at the plate once pitchers figure out his weaknesses. Pagan is a utility player at best.

 

Come on, we're talking about a 7-8-9 of Pie, Izzy, and P. On days where Barrett rests, it's Blanco, Pie, Izzy, P.

 

Talk about black holes.

[Sammy Sofa]

I think Pagan/Pie is a disaster if it happens.

 

Who cares about long term? Let's just get someone who can get on base. I see no reason why Brady Clark couldn't fill that bill for a year or two.

 

Pie will struggle at the plate once pitchers figure out his weaknesses. Pagan is a utility player at best.

 

Come on, we're talking about a 7-8-9 of Pie, Izzy, and P. On days where Barrett rests, it's Blanco, Pie, Izzy, P.

 

Talk about black holes.

 

Heh, they'll need to be sure to have Zambrano pitch when Blanco starts.

[goonys evil twin]

I liked Pagan. Seemed like an energy guy and a really timely hitter.

 

Can he play for the Blackhawks? Seriously, energy guy? What is that? Pagan is just a bad back of the bench player. He's tolerable as the 25th man, but that's about it.

[RynoRules]

I liked Pagan. Seemed like an energy guy and a really timely hitter.

 

Can he play for the Blackhawks? Seriously, energy guy? What is that? Pagan is just a bad back of the bench player. He's tolerable as the 25th man, but that's about it.

 

Hard to disagree.

[BigbadB]

I wouldn't mind Pagan as the 25th man, but is Pagan starting Hendry's idea of how to win a World Series in 2007?

 

He watches really good players get signed by other teams in his previous years as a GM, then this year he panics and overpays for mediocre/crappy players or players that don't fit the need as much as other players.

 

His future unemployment is his own doing.

[goonys evil twin]

I wouldn't mind Pagan as the 25th man, but is Pagan starting Hendry's idea of how to win a World Series in 2007?

 

If he really puts any thought into fielding a lineup with Pagan and Izturis playing everyday, we can kiss goodbye any hopes of this being a solid lineup.

[soapy]

My guess is the Pie/Pagan talk is just Hendry trying to act like he has leverage with potential FA's or trade partners.

 

Or at least I hope that's what it is.

[Chocolate Milk]

It's interesting that Hendry is acting like JJ is already gone.

[cheapseats]

I liked Pagan. Seemed like an energy guy and a really timely hitter.

 

But that's just me, eh?

 

Pagan had a lower OPS than Juan Pierre. If there was a time he was hitting, I totally missed it.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

It's interesting that Hendry is acting like JJ is already gone.

 

He did the same with Walker about a year ago.

[roadster]

Anyone think Huff could play right (if he hasn't already)? He's coming off a bad year, but at least in an off year he still put up a .344 OBP. If he were to come to Wrigley i'd wager he could be a .275 30-35 HR .350 OBP kind of guy. This obviously won't happen because we would have Pie blocked everywhere, but Huff could have a nice year and be a good lefty bat...(all of this assuming we could get something for Jones and a prospect).

 

I think Lou does not like his work ethics. I read this somewhere but can't find the link.

[BigbadB]

Anyone think Huff could play right (if he hasn't already)? He's coming off a bad year, but at least in an off year he still put up a .344 OBP. If he were to come to Wrigley i'd wager he could be a .275 30-35 HR .350 OBP kind of guy. This obviously won't happen because we would have Pie blocked everywhere, but Huff could have a nice year and be a good lefty bat...(all of this assuming we could get something for Jones and a prospect).

 

I think Lou does not like his work ethics. I read this somewhere but can't find the link.

 

Good to see you, Roadster. Where you been hiding?

[Cubsmodano]

I liked Pagan. Seemed like an energy guy and a really timely hitter.

 

But that's just me, eh?

 

Pagan had a lower OPS than Juan Pierre. If there was a time he was hitting, I totally missed it.

 

I gotta agree with the first poster... Pagan brings some nice qualities to the back of the bench, and I don't have any problem with having a speedy, switch hitter that can play all three outfield spots provided that he's not the number one option for either left or right handed pinch hitter. Ward can fill one of those spots, Craig Wilson for the other maybe? (Or Phil Nevin even?)

[cheapseats]

I liked Pagan. Seemed like an energy guy and a really timely hitter.

 

But that's just me, eh?

 

Pagan had a lower OPS than Juan Pierre. If there was a time he was hitting, I totally missed it.

 

I gotta agree with the first poster... Pagan brings some nice qualities to the back of the bench, and I don't have any problem with having a speedy, switch hitter that can play all three outfield spots provided that he's not the number one option for either left or right handed pinch hitter. Ward can fill one of those spots, Craig Wilson for the other maybe? (Or Phil Nevin even?)

 

The only thing Pagan brings is decent - not great - defense. His speed isn't particularly helpful as his stolen base percentage is less than 73%. What good does it do to be a switch hitter if you don't hit well from either side? See Perez, Neifi or Izturis, Cesar.

[Elrhino]

My guess is the Pie/Pagan talk is just Hendry trying to act like he has leverage with potential FA's or trade partners.

 

Or at least I hope that's what it is.

 

More like trying to spin it to the fans so it sounds more tolerable. He knows how bad of an option it is. He just has such a limited imagination that he doesn't see any other alternatives.

[craig]

What if Hendry fails to pick up a decent CF? Options:

1) Pie/Pagan get it, and stink bigtime.

2) Pie/Pagan get it, and do surprisingly well.

3) Pie/Pagan look unfit. Piniella never wanted it, but he puts one of Soriano or Jones in center. And they do really bad defensively. Horrible defensive outfield. But really good offensive outfield.

4) Scenario 4, but it turns out whichever of Jones or Soriano do respectably well defensively. You get a really good offensive outfield, and a sub-average but not prohibitively awful defensive outfield.

 

Scenarios 2 and 4 could both end up happily-ever-after. Scenarios 1 and 3, not so much.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

What if Hendry fails to pick up a decent CF? Options:

1) Pie/Pagan get it, and stink bigtime.

2) Pie/Pagan get it, and do surprisingly well.

3) Pie/Pagan look unfit. Piniella never wanted it, but he puts one of Soriano or Jones in center. And they do really bad defensively. Horrible defensive outfield. But really good offensive outfield.

4) Scenario 4, but it turns out whichever of Jones or Soriano do respectably well defensively. You get a really good offensive outfield, and a sub-average but not prohibitively awful defensive outfield.

 

Scenarios 2 and 4 could both end up happily-ever-after. Scenarios 1 and 3, not so much.

 

I think the best option, if another CF is not picked up, is to put Jones there. If Jones is on the roster, Pie will not be.

[Backtobanks]

My guess is the Pie/Pagan talk is just Hendry trying to act like he has leverage with potential FA's or trade partners.

 

Or at least I hope that's what it is.

 

Bingo! We have a winner. I don't think there is any way Pagan will be the starting CF for the Cubs in 2007 and from most accounts Pie isn't quite ready. With the non-talk about Jones and the group of young pitchers (Marshall, Mateo, Guzman, Marmol, Ryu), I would think he's looking for a CF. That seems to be the only hole left on the team since Hendry doesn't consider SS as a hole.

[KatJ]

That .335 SLG is Pierre-like.

 

yeah, but he's much more patient.

 

I do like Brady---he's gritty and comes to play every day. His defense looked to me to be very good.

 

But as the SLG indicates, he's a singles hitter

 

Who cares??? If a guy can get on base, that's 90% of the battle. There's enough power in the lineup from the corner IF, C, and the projected LF.

 

Honestly, when are people going to stop falling in love with bashers who K more than they reach base?

 

:steps off soapbox:

[KatJ]

As I said in another thread, I'd just as soon sign Preston Wilson to platoon with Jacque. He should be cheap, (iirc) he kills lefties and is a natural CF. He'd also be a nice right handed bat off the bench with power.

 

And Murton would keep all his AB's that way. :D

 

Anyone else here the slightest bit concerned that Piniella noses Murt to the bench at the smallest sign, or suspicion of, struggling at the plate? I don't think Piniella has mentioned Murton once as an eligible player on the team, let alone a starter.

 

I predict mushroom treatment of Murton to be NSBB's first big gripe about Piniella's game-time management.

[Soul]

That .335 SLG is Pierre-like.

 

yeah, but he's much more patient.

 

I do like Brady---he's gritty and comes to play every day. His defense looked to me to be very good.

 

But as the SLG indicates, he's a singles hitter

 

Who cares??? If a guy can get on base, that's 90% of the battle. There's enough power in the lineup from the corner IF, C, and the projected LF.

 

Honestly, when are people going to stop falling in love with bashers who K more than they reach base?

 

:steps off soapbox:

 

I don't know. When are people going to stop taking one comment and flying off the handle because of it?

[Transmogrified Tiger]

That .335 SLG is Pierre-like.

 

yeah, but he's much more patient.

 

I do like Brady---he's gritty and comes to play every day. His defense looked to me to be very good.

 

But as the SLG indicates, he's a singles hitter

 

Who cares??? If a guy can get on base, that's 90% of the battle. There's enough power in the lineup from the corner IF, C, and the projected LF.

 

Honestly, when are people going to stop falling in love with bashers who K more than they reach base?

 

:steps off soapbox:

 

Because Brady Clark bashes and K's more than he reaches base?

[KatJ]

That .335 SLG is Pierre-like.

 

yeah, but he's much more patient.

 

I do like Brady---he's gritty and comes to play every day. His defense looked to me to be very good.

 

But as the SLG indicates, he's a singles hitter

 

Who cares??? If a guy can get on base, that's 90% of the battle. There's enough power in the lineup from the corner IF, C, and the projected LF.

 

Honestly, when are people going to stop falling in love with bashers who K more than they reach base?

 

:steps off soapbox:

 

Because Brady Clark bashes and K's more than he reaches base?

 

An OBP near .350 takes a fair bit of sting out of that. But granted he's not worth the $$ Hendry shelled out for Pierre.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

That .335 SLG is Pierre-like.

 

yeah, but he's much more patient.

 

I do like Brady---he's gritty and comes to play every day. His defense looked to me to be very good.

 

But as the SLG indicates, he's a singles hitter

 

Who cares??? If a guy can get on base, that's 90% of the battle. There's enough power in the lineup from the corner IF, C, and the projected LF.

 

Honestly, when are people going to stop falling in love with bashers who K more than they reach base?

 

:steps off soapbox:

 

Because Brady Clark bashes and K's more than he reaches base?

 

An OBP near .350 takes a fair bit of sting out of that. But granted he's not worth the $$ Hendry shelled out for Pierre.

 

You missed the point. Clark doesn't bash and he doesn't K a lot.