Justin Upton, now there's a prospect.

[Vanilla Ice]

This guy is really going to be upset with Pie develops into a serviceable major leaguer which is something I'm not sure Samardzija will ever do.

 

Jeff has only touched his potential and it'd be unwise of you to think that at worst, he'll only be a "serviceable" Major Leaguer. You can chalk it up to Jeff's football background but he's the hardest working Minor Leaguer out there, including position players. Combine his work ethic and mental make up with his raw abilities and I wouldn't put anything past Jeff. I wouldn't ride him off because of his K/9.

 

This is a big year for Jeff no doubt.

 

sharkfan50 = Jeff Smardzija

that would make a lot of sense

[Guest]

i'd love to hear some of them. the kid couldn't buy 2 PAs in a game last season because of Jacque Jones and now it is being plainly expressed that Lou trusts Reed Johnson more, even vs. right handers. Reed Johnson, who was just cut 2 weeks ago.

1) Pie's hand is still somewhat bothering him

2) He's working with Perry on his swing and they don't want him facing much live pitching until the new habits have taken hold

3) There was a behavioral issue we don't know about

4) He was starting to lose confidence and Lou wants to get him refocused

5) He was pressing too hard and Lou wants to take the pressure off (this one will be jumped on, but there's more than one way to do it)

6) Lou simply feels that the best way to introduce a talented young player who needs adjusting isn't to simply throw him in the deep end of the pool

 

...

[javy knows my name]

I don't know which was the more ridiculous post, this one or your first one.

It was his first one, until point #9.

This unflinching faith in the Cubs organization, specifically with regard to player development, is pretty troublesome. I don't think it is at all a stretch to think that not playing Felix every day is hurting his confidence and his ability to adjust at the major league level. Continuing with your ridiculous comparison, I think it is safe to say that we would see some improvement in the guy's play if he were getting, say, the Justin Upton treatment where he is allowed to take his lumps for 300 or so at-bats. As many have said before, it has ALWAYS taken Pie a little time to adjust to a new level, given that he is relatively new to baseball despite being a supreme talent, and has always been young for his level. Someone earlier said that he was glad that you don't run the organization, and while I am as well, it seems that lots of people of your mindset do, and again, it's pretty troubling.

[sneakypower]

i'd love to hear some of them. the kid couldn't buy 2 PAs in a game last season because of Jacque Jones and now it is being plainly expressed that Lou trusts Reed Johnson more, even vs. right handers. Reed Johnson, who was just cut 2 weeks ago.

1) Pie's hand is still somewhat bothering him

2) He's working with Perry on his swing and they don't want him facing much live pitching until the new habits have taken hold

3) There was a behavioral issue we don't know about

4) He was starting to lose confidence and Lou wants to get him refocused

5) He was pressing too hard and Lou wants to take the pressure off (this one will be jumped on, but there's more than one way to do it)

6) Lou simply feels that the best way to introduce a talented young player who needs adjusting isn't to simply throw him in the deep end of the pool

 

...

Lou was drooling over Ryan Spilborghs in the offseason, pulls Felix 2 ABs into a game on the double switch, gave him no chance to be the starter last season, gave Sam Fuld every opportunity to win the job this spring, it's been clear for awhile that Lou isn't in the business of cutting him many breaks.

[RynoRules]

I'll bet you that Felix is sent down to Iowa by middle of May.

I fully agree, but it won't be for any legitimate reason. He's being railroaded by the coaching staff; Lou is determined to destroy this kid's confidence.

 

This is an incredible overreaction. It should be bronzed and placed in the Overreaction Hall of Fame.

[RynoRules]

i'd love to hear some of them. the kid couldn't buy 2 PAs in a game last season because of Jacque Jones and now it is being plainly expressed that Lou trusts Reed Johnson more, even vs. right handers. Reed Johnson, who was just cut 2 weeks ago.

1) Pie's hand is still somewhat bothering him

2) He's working with Perry on his swing and they don't want him facing much live pitching until the new habits have taken hold

3) There was a behavioral issue we don't know about

4) He was starting to lose confidence and Lou wants to get him refocused

5) He was pressing too hard and Lou wants to take the pressure off (this one will be jumped on, but there's more than one way to do it)

6) Lou simply feels that the best way to introduce a talented young player who needs adjusting isn't to simply throw him in the deep end of the pool

 

...

Lou was drooling over Ryan Spilborghs in the offseason, pulls Felix 2 ABs into a game on the double switch, gave him no chance to be the starter last season, gave Sam Fuld every opportunity to win the job this spring, it's been clear for awhile that Lou isn't in the business of cutting him many breaks.

 

Which is why Fuld is in AAA and Pie is on the ML roster.

 

Are you Jim Garrison's kid or something?

[sneakypower]

felix pie AB's this season: 350

 

over/under?

[RedFlash]

felix pie AB's this season: 350

 

over/under?

 

Unfortunately, I'm taking the under. Even tho he needs the over.

[Guest]

felix pie AB's this season: 350

 

over/under?

That depends entirely on Felix.

[sneakypower]

well he certainly didn't capitalize on the opportunity given to him today, the bum

[BCVM22]

well he certainly didn't capitalize on the opportunity given to him today, the bum

 

Couldn't make the adjustments.

[Guest]

I get it. That's sarcasm. Clever.

[Roast]

I get it. That's sarcasm. Clever.

http://www.northsidebaseball.com/Forum/posting.php?mode=quote&f=2&p=1728690#

[sneakypower]

that's my entire point, he's been relegated to decoy status. if his hand hurts that bad, put him on the DL. if he's not going to be given a fair shot, let him OPS 1200 or whatever in Iowa so we can get something useful for him.

[Guest]

that's my entire point, he's been relegated to decoy status. if his hand hurts that bad, put him on the DL. if he's not going to be given a fair shot, let him OPS 1200 or whatever in Iowa so we can get something useful for him.

No offense, but you really do need to consider the possibility, no matter how unlikely, that there could be something more to this that we're simply not privy to.

[SouthSideRyan]

I don't understand how the Cubs organization deserves the benefit of the doubt in matters like these. I'm not going to pretend that I know the whole story, but it certainly seems like I've seen this story before.

[ctcf]

that's my entire point, he's been relegated to decoy status. if his hand hurts that bad, put him on the DL. if he's not going to be given a fair shot, let him OPS 1200 or whatever in Iowa so we can get something useful for him.

No offense, but you really do need to consider the possibility, no matter how unlikely, that there could be something more to this that we're simply not privy to.

 

That is usually the right reaction to many things that people make into a big deal, especially during the off season. The number of people that acted like they knew what was going on between GMs was astounding.

[Guest]

I don't understand how the Cubs organization deserves the benefit of the doubt in matters like these. I'm not going to pretend that I know the whole story, but it certainly seems like I've seen this story before.

Hey, I'm not happy with what is going on. But I'm simply not ready to crucify anyone yet.

[CubinNY]

I'll bet you that Felix is sent down to Iowa by middle of May.

I fully agree, but it won't be for any legitimate reason. He's being railroaded by the coaching staff; Lou is determined to destroy this kid's confidence.

 

This is an incredible overreaction. It should be bronzed and placed in the Overreaction Hall of Fame.

When one takes into account the recent history with PIe on the ML Roster I don't think the post is much of a stretch. However, since you feel the need to be the arbiter of what is and is not an overreaction, I'll defer to your greater wisdom.

[ctcf]

I'll bet you that Felix is sent down to Iowa by middle of May.

I fully agree, but it won't be for any legitimate reason. He's being railroaded by the coaching staff; Lou is determined to destroy this kid's confidence.

 

This is an incredible overreaction. It should be bronzed and placed in the Overreaction Hall of Fame.

When one takes into account the recent history with PIe on the ML Roster I don't think the post is much of a stretch. However, since you feel the need to be the arbiter of what is and is not an overreaction, I'll defer to your greater wisdom.

 

If you actually think Lou might in any way be purposely trying to destroy Pie's confidence, you probably should defer.

[RynoRules]

I'll bet you that Felix is sent down to Iowa by middle of May.

I fully agree, but it won't be for any legitimate reason. He's being railroaded by the coaching staff; Lou is determined to destroy this kid's confidence.

 

This is an incredible overreaction. It should be bronzed and placed in the Overreaction Hall of Fame.

When one takes into account the recent history with PIe on the ML Roster I don't think the post is much of a stretch. However, since you feel the need to be the arbiter of what is and is not an overreaction, I'll defer to your greater wisdom.

 

If you actually think Lou might in any way be purposely trying to destroy Pie's confidence, you probably should defer.

 

Could not have said it better, so I won't try.

[RynoRules]

I'll bet you that Felix is sent down to Iowa by middle of May.

I fully agree, but it won't be for any legitimate reason. He's being railroaded by the coaching staff; Lou is determined to destroy this kid's confidence.

 

This is an incredible overreaction. It should be bronzed and placed in the Overreaction Hall of Fame.

When one takes into account the recent history with PIe on the ML Roster I don't think the post is much of a stretch. However, since you feel the need to be the arbiter of what is and is not an overreaction, I'll defer to your greater wisdom.

 

If you actually think Lou might in any way be purposely trying to destroy Pie's confidence, you probably should defer.

 

Could not have said it better, so I won't try.

 

EDIT: Except that I would have written, "purposefully". :)

[NCCubFan]

if his hand hurts that bad, put him on the DL.

Maybe it does hurt that bad, but that they don't expect it to last long enough to need to put him on the DL. In the minors there's a 7-day DL, but in the majors it's 15 days.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

If only Pie had shown over the last several years to be able to make adjustments when he's faced with new challenges.

 

Pie's monthly OPS's at Iowa:.862, .676, .630, .771, .913, 1.389(20 PA's), (promotion/end season), 1.127, .992, (promotion/demotion), .885, 1.111

[RynoRules]

This is pretty interesting. Johnson is pretty clearly playing better as of now(475 OBP or whatever). But Pie has shown an ability to adjust at each level if he is given time to do so.

 

I still say that if we filled the hole at SS with a permanent solution we could live w/ Felix and his growing pains at the plate.