Fuld in the running to START in CF?

[Schwarber Fan]

MESA, Ariz. - Manager Lou Piniella said Wednesday that Felix Pie is "a head or nose in front" of Sam Fuld for the starting center-field job going into the spring.

 

Considering Fuld spent most of last year at Double-A Tennessee and is seldom mentioned on lists of the Cubs' top prospects, and that Baseball America named Pie the team's top prospect in 2006, it's surprising the two are basically considered equals at this point.

 

Link

 

Ummm....

[David]

Nothing new, really. Lou has been saying for a while that CF was the only position in the lineup that wasn't set because of the competition between Pie and Fuld.

[Post Count Padder]

Nothing against Sam, but I really don't want him starting over Pie barring an injury.

[anabiono]

i think lou is just trying to light a fire under pie's bottom

[Abe Frohman]

i think lou is just trying to light a fire under pie's bottom

 

I think that is exactly what he is doing. Fuld is going to be a good guy off the bench - but there is no way that he can compete with the tools Pie has. I also like how the job is not being given to Pie.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

I also like how the job is not being given to Pie.

and I don't -- what more does he have to do to be given a legitimate shot?

[Derwood]

I also like how the job is not being given to Pie.

and I don't -- what more does he have to do to be given a legitimate shot?

 

Corey Patterson made them very gun shy right now I think.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

I also like how the job is not being given to Pie.

and I don't -- what more does he have to do to be given a legitimate shot?

 

Corey Patterson made them very gun shy right now I think.

Corey never put up Felix's numbers, not even close

[David]

I also like how the job is not being given to Pie.

and I don't -- what more does he have to do to be given a legitimate shot?

 

Hit well in a bunch of meaningless games against random pitchers who nobody had ever heard of.

[David]

I also like how the job is not being given to Pie.

and I don't -- what more does he have to do to be given a legitimate shot?

 

Corey Patterson made them very gun shy right now I think.

 

Patterson didn't actually earn his promotions with production, though.

 

I've never looked hard at his minor league numbers, but did he ever even do anything down there aside from that one monster year with the Lugnuts?

[CubColtPacer]

This was the exact same thing that Piniella said about Rich Hill at this time last year even using the same types of phrases to describe the battle. He had barely pitched 3 innings when Piniella said he was confirmed as the starter. As someone earlier said, it seems to be just something Piniella does to keep the young players working during the offseason and at the start of camp. I would be shocked if Fuld was named the Opening Day starter.

[DenverCubs]

This was the exact same thing that Piniella said about Rich Hill at this time last year even using the same types of phrases to describe the battle. He had barely pitched 3 innings when Piniella said he was confirmed as the starter. As someone earlier said, it seems to be just something Piniella does to keep the young players working during the offseason and at the start of camp. I would be shocked if Fuld was named the Opening Day starter.

And I would be pissed.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

This was the exact same thing that Piniella said about Rich Hill at this time last year even using the same types of phrases to describe the battle. He had barely pitched 3 innings when Piniella said he was confirmed as the starter. As someone earlier said, it seems to be just something Piniella does to keep the young players working during the offseason and at the start of camp. I would be shocked if Fuld was named the Opening Day starter.

I'd be surprised if he was on the opening day roster, but we have nothing resembling depth in the OF.

[CubColtPacer]

This was the exact same thing that Piniella said about Rich Hill at this time last year even using the same types of phrases to describe the battle. He had barely pitched 3 innings when Piniella said he was confirmed as the starter. As someone earlier said, it seems to be just something Piniella does to keep the young players working during the offseason and at the start of camp. I would be shocked if Fuld was named the Opening Day starter.

I'd be surprised if he was on the opening day roster, but we have nothing resembling depth in the OF.

 

Yeah, the indications are that only one of Pie or Fuld will be on the roster, so my guess is that Fuld will be the starting CF for Iowa.

 

As far as OF depth, if the Cubs cannot make a trade, I think they'll go with Murton as the 4th OF and then a combination of DeRosa/Cedeno/Theriot as the 5th OF.

[DenverCubs]

This was the exact same thing that Piniella said about Rich Hill at this time last year even using the same types of phrases to describe the battle. He had barely pitched 3 innings when Piniella said he was confirmed as the starter. As someone earlier said, it seems to be just something Piniella does to keep the young players working during the offseason and at the start of camp. I would be shocked if Fuld was named the Opening Day starter.

I'd be surprised if he was on the opening day roster, but we have nothing resembling depth in the OF.

 

Yeah, the indications are that only one of Pie or Fuld will be on the roster, so my guess is that Fuld will be the starting CF for Iowa.

 

As far as OF depth, if the Cubs cannot make a trade, I think they'll go with Murton as the 4th OF and then a combination of DeRosa/Cedeno/Theriot as the 5th OF.

And Ward as well...

[SouthSideRyan]

When one Ryan Theriot isn't enough...

[jaydee]

What is wrong with making Pie earn something? Honestly if he can't beat out Fuld then he needs to take a look at his work ethic.

[Evers2Tinker2Chance]

So if Fuld is not on the team to start the year as some are suggesting, who is out CF backup, Cedano or Fukodome?

[David]

What is wrong with making Pie earn something? Honestly if he can't beat out Fuld then he needs to take a look at his work ethic.

 

 

He hasn't earned it with his performance at AAA the last two years?

 

Three weeks in odd conditions against the most random variety of pitchers you could think of isn't the time to decide something like this. Pie should have it sealed up already.

[biittner77]

This sends a message to all the other system guys in the org. not to give up on the dream. But that's all it is.

 

Barring injury or a big trade, I can't see a scenario where Fuld makes the 25 man let alone starts in CF. If the Cubs go with 12 pitchers again- which they seem to prefer- that leaves 5 bench spots. Blanco, Ward, Cedeno, Fontenot and Murton probably round out the bench.

[Roast]

Yeah - if Fuld has anything close to a legitimate shot at CF I'd be really pissed. But I doubt that's true. I don't see Lou honestly starting him - Hell, I don't see him on the 25 man as people have pointed out.

 

Also, looking at that bench - we really need to just trade Murton. I love the guy and I've been advocating him for starter for quite some time now - but there's really no place for him. He's not going to take any time away from Soriano in left, He's not going to take any time away from Fukudome, and he can't play center. So unless for some ungodly reason Lou moves Sori to 2nd then he has no place on this team.

 

Trade him for something useful - and give the kid a chance to start for once.

[GoCubsGo1679625768]

Fuld is a stud, remember when he ran into that wall!?!?!?!? Basically that won us the Division!

:flame:

[cbbryan]

FREE FELIX PIE!!!!!

[Guest]

I also like how the job is not being given to Pie.

and I don't -- what more does he have to do to be given a legitimate shot?

 

Corey Patterson made them very gun shy right now I think.

 

Patterson didn't actually earn his promotions with production, though.

 

I've never looked hard at his minor league numbers, but did he ever even do anything down there aside from that one monster year with the Lugnuts?

 

Not really (he had a good stretch at West Tenn for a few months but that was it) but for some reason, a strong season at Lansing at age 19 meant double promotions everywhere.

[CubColtPacer]

 

Also, looking at that bench - we really need to just trade Murton. I love the guy and I've been advocating him for starter for quite some time now - but there's really no place for him. He's not going to take any time away from Soriano in left, He's not going to take any time away from Fukudome, and he can't play center. So unless for some ungodly reason Lou moves Sori to 2nd then he has no place on this team.

 

It depends on the value. For example, if Murton's value is less than Marlon Byrd's to every team, then I'd rather keep him. If Baltimore or San Diego are willing to put a higher price tag on him (the two teams most rumored to be interested) then I'd deal him.

 

I think the Cubs want to see who their other OF is going to be before dealing Murton. They just can't deal him for a prospect right now without another trade because that would leave the bench too thin.