MLB.com article on Pie possibly in CF

[BDWeav71]

I don't have a problem playing Pie. If you play him though, you have to play him. No platoons, and no demotions unless he can't hit for like 300 at bats.

 

100% my mindset on the Pie situation.

 

You have to make up your mind this season based on his performance at either level whether or not you can count on his production for your CF spot.

[frostwyrm]

No way does Pie start in CF on opening day. It's just propaganda to inflate his trade value. We heard the same stuff from Hendry about Jason Dubois, then found out Todd Hollandsworth had been slated to start all along.

[Quakers]

Prehaps the Cubs are sending a public message to free agents and their reps that they are not desperate for a center fielder, hoping to get someone to reduce his asking price???

[Backtobanks]

No way does Pie start in CF on opening day. It's just propaganda to inflate his trade value. We heard the same stuff from Hendry about Jason Dubois, then found out Todd Hollandsworth had been slated to start all along.

 

I can't believe Pie will be starting in CF just because of the "Win in 2007" attitude expressed by the new regime. Trying to win this year would put a lot of pressure on Pie in CF.

[RynoRules]

The Cubs have a vacancy in center field following the departure of Juan Pierre, and Pie could fill that job with a good spring.

 

why spring?

 

B/c that's when St starts, but that's not important right now...

 

:wink:

[Brendan]

 

What the heck is that, and what does it have to do with Pie?

It's Wolverine from an arcade game, and it's my reaction to this announcement.

 

is he sneezing?

[Soul]

I don't see anything wrong with playing Pie up like he's got a chance. Everyone always complains that the Cubs hurt the value of guys. This does nothing but give us bargaining power and potentially increase Pie's trade value. I see nothing wrong with it.

 

Really? I see it as close to 100% that Pie will suck offensively. How will that increase his trade value----when he's posting .280 OBPs and whiffing more than once per game?

 

I don't get it.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I don't see anything wrong with playing Pie up like he's got a chance. Everyone always complains that the Cubs hurt the value of guys. This does nothing but give us bargaining power and potentially increase Pie's trade value. I see nothing wrong with it.

 

Really? I see it as close to 100% that Pie will suck offensively. How will that increase his trade value----when he's posting .280 OBPs and whiffing more than once per game?

 

I don't get it.

 

I don't see how you can see it as close to 100% that he'll suck.

[RynoRules]

I don't see anything wrong with playing Pie up like he's got a chance. Everyone always complains that the Cubs hurt the value of guys. This does nothing but give us bargaining power and potentially increase Pie's trade value. I see nothing wrong with it.

 

Really? I see it as close to 100% that Pie will suck offensively. How will that increase his trade value----when he's posting .280 OBPs and whiffing more than once per game?

 

I don't get it.

 

I don't see how you can see it as close to 100% that he'll suck.

 

If Pie played regurlarly in the bigs next season I would put the over/under at .260 / .315 / .425 for his stat line. No real formula, just my best guess.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I don't see anything wrong with playing Pie up like he's got a chance. Everyone always complains that the Cubs hurt the value of guys. This does nothing but give us bargaining power and potentially increase Pie's trade value. I see nothing wrong with it.

 

Really? I see it as close to 100% that Pie will suck offensively. How will that increase his trade value----when he's posting .280 OBPs and whiffing more than once per game?

 

I don't get it.

 

I don't see how you can see it as close to 100% that he'll suck.

 

If Pie played regurlarly in the bigs next season I would put the over/under at .260 / .315 / .425 for his stat line. No real formula, just my best guess.

 

I don't think that's entirely unrealistic. Do you think that qualifies under "sucking offensively"? I wouldn't, which is why I doubted the absolute declaration he'd be terrible. I think there's a very small chance he'd be good, but also a sizable probability that he won't be terrible.

[CubinNY]

I don't see anything wrong with playing Pie up like he's got a chance. Everyone always complains that the Cubs hurt the value of guys. This does nothing but give us bargaining power and potentially increase Pie's trade value. I see nothing wrong with it.

 

Really? I see it as close to 100% that Pie will suck offensively. How will that increase his trade value----when he's posting .280 OBPs and whiffing more than once per game?

 

I don't get it.

 

I don't see how you can see it as close to 100% that he'll suck.

 

If Pie played regurlarly in the bigs next season I would put the over/under at .260 / .315 / .425 for his stat line. No real formula, just my best guess.

 

I don't think that's entirely unrealistic. Do you think that qualifies under "sucking offensively"? I wouldn't, which is why I doubted the absolute declaration he'd be terrible. I think there's a very small chance he'd be good, but also a sizable probability that he won't be terrible.

 

If he's not terrible but also not "good" how will this help the Cubs? What I mean is that they are going to need good production from at least one position from either CF, SS, or 2nd base.

 

I'd rather the City of Chicago gives JJ the keys to the city or something. Or perhaps a big bouquet of roses with a card saying "we're sorry". In other words, I think at this point he is the Cubs best option.

[Abe Frohman]

I think that if the Cub brass are trying to increase Felix Patterson's worth, or put the front out that they don't need a CFer, the smart GM will know this is BS because Pie wasn't even called up for the 40-man roster in late 2006.

 

With his sparkling performance in Winter Ball, I doubt anyone is buying that he increased his potential to join the Big League team. Bad bluff, bad idea.

 

Pie is no less than one year away from playing in Chicago. No doubt he will at some point in 2007, but he hasn't proven he is ready as a hitter. The Cubs would be MUCH better served playing a disgruntled Jacque Jones in CF.

[goonys evil twin]

I don't see anything wrong with playing Pie up like he's got a chance. Everyone always complains that the Cubs hurt the value of guys. This does nothing but give us bargaining power and potentially increase Pie's trade value. I see nothing wrong with it.

 

Really? I see it as close to 100% that Pie will suck offensively. How will that increase his trade value----when he's posting .280 OBPs and whiffing more than once per game?

 

I don't get it.

 

I don't see how you can see it as close to 100% that he'll suck.

 

If Pie played regurlarly in the bigs next season I would put the over/under at .260 / .315 / .425 for his stat line. No real formula, just my best guess.

 

I don't think that's entirely unrealistic. Do you think that qualifies under "sucking offensively"? I wouldn't, which is why I doubted the absolute declaration he'd be terrible. I think there's a very small chance he'd be good, but also a sizable probability that he won't be terrible.

 

I would say that would not suck, given the circumstances. It's all relative. Such a stat line would be entirely acceptable from a very young 1st year CFer with as much upside as Pie. Likewise, a good team could absord such a stat line into the lineup without crippling the offense. On the other hand, the Cubs don't have a good team, and the lineup may not be able to make up for what that line lacks, especially if they get even the slightest decline out of their bigger producers. You've alread got the SS black hole to deal with, and question marks at 2B and LF. Without a Pujols or Cabrera type season from somebody, that line could hurt.

 

If you traded Murton in a package deal for Cabrera, I'd definitely be fine with Pie in CF.

[goonys evil twin]

I think that if the Cub brass are trying to increase Felix Patterson's worth, or put the front out that they don't need a CFer, the smart GM will know this is BS because Pie wasn't even called up for the 40-man roster in late 2006.

 

With his sparkling performance in Winter Ball, I doubt anyone is buying that he increased his potential to join the Big League team. Bad bluff, bad idea.

 

Pie is no less than one year away from playing in Chicago. No doubt he will at some point in 2007, but he hasn't proven he is ready as a hitter. The Cubs would be MUCH better served playing a disgruntled Jacque Jones in CF.

 

On the other hand, everybody in baseball seems convinced the Cubs were ready to call-up Pie in 2005.

 

I'd play Jones in CF as of now, but depending on how the chips fall, I'd like with Pie out there.

[Abe Frohman]

On the other hand, everybody in baseball seems convinced the Cubs were ready to call-up Pie in 2005.

 

I'd play Jones in CF as of now, but depending on how the chips fall, I'd like with Pie out there.

 

Like you said, it wouldn't be wise to give Pie the shot with the glaring lack of offense at SS. Now if the Cubs were to deal for a SS who could swing it, I think that I would roll those dice with Pie in CF. His defense alone would give him worth, and he could man that 8 hole if the Cubs could pick up a slugging SS.

[Lefty]

I believe Pie's Equivalency last year was about .255/.295/.400. He finished strong and is going to turn 22 early next year. So you could reasonably add a little bit to each category.

 

That said, Pie's 2006 is very similar to Patterson's 2001 and 2002. Patterson didn't progress at this age, but did one year later. So assuming Pie's flaws aren't as catastrophic as Patterson's, in the next year or two he could be .280/.320/.450. And if his flaws don't destroy him, maybe he exceeds Patterson's apparent .270/.310/.430 type career. You look at the numbers, what happened to Patterson the last 4 months of '05? It's amazing.

[RynoRules]

I don't see anything wrong with playing Pie up like he's got a chance. Everyone always complains that the Cubs hurt the value of guys. This does nothing but give us bargaining power and potentially increase Pie's trade value. I see nothing wrong with it.

 

Really? I see it as close to 100% that Pie will suck offensively. How will that increase his trade value----when he's posting .280 OBPs and whiffing more than once per game?

 

I don't get it.

 

I don't see how you can see it as close to 100% that he'll suck.

 

If Pie played regurlarly in the bigs next season I would put the over/under at .260 / .315 / .425 for his stat line. No real formula, just my best guess.

 

I don't think that's entirely unrealistic. Do you think that qualifies under "sucking offensively"? I wouldn't, which is why I doubted the absolute declaration he'd be terrible. I think there's a very small chance he'd be good, but also a sizable probability that he won't be terrible.

 

Oh, I agree that would not suck. The question in my mind is can we acquire someone on the relative cheap to play CF who would be more productive?

[YearofDaCubs]

I don't see anything wrong with playing Pie up like he's got a chance. Everyone always complains that the Cubs hurt the value of guys. This does nothing but give us bargaining power and potentially increase Pie's trade value. I see nothing wrong with it.

 

Really? I see it as close to 100% that Pie will suck offensively. How will that increase his trade value----when he's posting .280 OBPs and whiffing more than once per game?

 

I don't get it.

 

I don't see how you can see it as close to 100% that he'll suck.

 

If Pie played regurlarly in the bigs next season I would put the over/under at .260 / .315 / .425 for his stat line. No real formula, just my best guess.

So on par with Izturis. Can he play SS?

[Ivy Walls]

Plus Piniella I have heard privately believes he can personally develop the player at this level. What the Cubs need is are a pair RHB's and play CF & RF if they are unable to trade Jones for better. I like the idea of Craig Wilson or Kearns in RF but CF they need a servicable platoon player.

[RynoRules]

Its just an o/u. He could do much better - who knows?

[YearofDaCubs]

Plus Piniella I have heard privately believes he can personally develop the player at this level. What the Cubs need is are a pair RHB's and play CF & RF if they are unable to trade Jones for better. I like the idea of Craig Wilson or Kearns in RF but CF they need a servicable platoon player.

There's no doubt leaving Jones with a platoon player at CF is the best move offensively for this team. It's actually my preference.

[goonys evil twin]

I don't see anything wrong with playing Pie up like he's got a chance. Everyone always complains that the Cubs hurt the value of guys. This does nothing but give us bargaining power and potentially increase Pie's trade value. I see nothing wrong with it.

 

Really? I see it as close to 100% that Pie will suck offensively. How will that increase his trade value----when he's posting .280 OBPs and whiffing more than once per game?

 

I don't get it.

 

I don't see how you can see it as close to 100% that he'll suck.

 

If Pie played regurlarly in the bigs next season I would put the over/under at .260 / .315 / .425 for his stat line. No real formula, just my best guess.

So on par with Izturis. Can he play SS?

 

I think we'd have to consider ourselves extremely lucky to get that out of Izturis.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I don't see anything wrong with playing Pie up like he's got a chance. Everyone always complains that the Cubs hurt the value of guys. This does nothing but give us bargaining power and potentially increase Pie's trade value. I see nothing wrong with it.

 

Really? I see it as close to 100% that Pie will suck offensively. How will that increase his trade value----when he's posting .280 OBPs and whiffing more than once per game?

 

I don't get it.

 

I don't see how you can see it as close to 100% that he'll suck.

 

If Pie played regurlarly in the bigs next season I would put the over/under at .260 / .315 / .425 for his stat line. No real formula, just my best guess.

 

I don't think that's entirely unrealistic. Do you think that qualifies under "sucking offensively"? I wouldn't, which is why I doubted the absolute declaration he'd be terrible. I think there's a very small chance he'd be good, but also a sizable probability that he won't be terrible.

 

Oh, I agree that would not suck. The question in my mind is can we acquire someone on the relative cheap to play CF who would be more productive?

 

I think Crisp would be a smart acquisition. I also think it's a good matchup of needs as well, since they have an excess of outfielders and are looking for bullpen guys.

[RynoRules]

Didn't Crisp get a big extension from the Sox, though? What do we do when Pie is ready?

[C.C.]

Didn't Crisp get a big extension from the Sox, though? What do we do when Pie is ready?

 

Trade Crisp?