2006 leadoff hitter.....Hairston or Furcal?

[AramisRamirez]

Hairston is playing well lately and since he's slid into the full-time leadoff role we've done better. he has the speed and all the tools to bat leadoff in the majors. but the jury is still out and the second half of the season will go a long towards dictating whether or not he's in that role full-time in 2006. obviously if he does good, he'll be back.

 

and one of the few alternatives that are somewhat attainable is furcal. his BA is now up to .250 (way to go) but he has alot of SB's and we all know he is good player. not sure what type of money he'll command, but should hairston not suceed we may well some money on him.

 

should be interesting to see how things unfold.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I think much more depends on how Hairston handles CF. If he can defensively handle it, then he makes our options better for next season. If he can't, we'll have to decide how much we like him at second or do we need to look for a lead-off hitter outside the organization.

[jjgman21]

Damon

[Mark_R]

Damon

 

Yeah, because he's worth Boras LT money at what, 34?

 

Nevermind, I'm an idiot, he's only 31... A little more palatable.

[Warpticon]

Furcal is pulling a Renteria. He just isn't that good right now, and I wouldn't spend what he's likely to get, especially with the emergence of Cedeno. Hairston would be a decent leadoff option, but I want him at 2B if he's a starter.

[YearofDaCubs]

Furcal is pulling a Renteria. He just isn't that good right now, and I wouldn't spend what he's likely to get, especially with the emergence of Cedeno. Hairston would be a decent leadoff option, but I want him at 2B if he's a starter.

In the paqst month Furcal has been hitting at a .319 clip. Hes been good for a couple of years now so I think if anything this year is an anomaly.

[jjgman21]

Damon

 

Yeah, because he's worth Boras LT money at what, 34?

 

Nevermind, I'm an idiot, he's only 31... A little more palatable.

 

I didn't know Boras was his agent. of course I am not suggesting over extending Damon.

 

personally I would love to keep the cheap option of Hairston at leadoff. I just don't see Dusty (assuming he still has a job) ever viewing Hairston as a full time player, especially in the outfield, and I want to keep Walker at second if both sides agree to the option, which is a relative discount.

 

as for Furcal, he makes me extremely nervous. I'll use an argument that is very much in vogue lately around here. he's shown alot of consistency throughout his career. plus, at 26 and making 5.6 M already, he's going to demand a huge contract, probably in the realm of Renterria's. on the other hand, since almost every team in baseball that has any money to spend already has a shortstop they are keeping, he may be subject to a buyers market. I can't think of any competing team that might go after him except maybe the Marlins and perhaps the White Sox (maybe AZ?).

[jjgman21]

Furcal is pulling a Renteria. He just isn't that good right now, and I wouldn't spend what he's likely to get, especially with the emergence of Cedeno. Hairston would be a decent leadoff option, but I want him at 2B if he's a starter.

 

as mentioned, I'd much rather have Walker at second. the Cubs already have far too few hitters like Todd Walker.

[BRASKYS SCOTCH]

50% chance it will be Felix Pie.

 

I thought they were shopping Hairston right now and will bring up Pie when he recovers from his ankle injury. Somewhat speculative that Pie would contribute significantly when/if he's called up, but I'd give more credit to this than the Johnny Damon rumors.

[jjgman21]

50% chance it will be Felix Pie.

 

I thought they were shopping Hairston right now and will bring up Pie when he recovers from his ankle injury. Somewhat speculative that Pie would contribute significantly when/if he's called up, but I'd give more credit to this than the Johnny Damon rumors.

 

where have their been any rumors?

[burnt out cubbie fan]

50% chance it will be Felix Pie.

 

I thought they were shopping Hairston right now and will bring up Pie when he recovers from his ankle injury. Somewhat speculative that Pie would contribute significantly when/if he's called up, but I'd give more credit to this than the Johnny Damon rumors.

Just so you know, Pie probably won't be a leadoff hitter when he is in the majors. At least he shouldn't be one.

[Uber]

SS is a tough choice, I love Nomar, Cedeno, and Furcal. Any of the 3 would make me happy, but I'd prefer Nomar above all. Maybe I've been in the koolaid too much lately but why isn't Hairston an option in CF for a year or two, until Pie's ready? His D isn't all that bad, certainly no worse than Corey's had been lately, and his speed helps to make up for bad routes.

[jjgman21]

50% chance it will be Felix Pie.

 

I thought they were shopping Hairston right now and will bring up Pie when he recovers from his ankle injury. Somewhat speculative that Pie would contribute significantly when/if he's called up, but I'd give more credit to this than the Johnny Damon rumors.

Just so you know, Pie probably won't be a leadoff hitter when he is in the majors. At least he shouldn't be one.

 

are there really rumors that they want to bring Pie up? why not, afterall, the last time they rushed a blue chip centerfielder to the majors it worked out great.

[brinoch]

50% chance it will be Felix Pie.

 

I thought they were shopping Hairston right now and will bring up Pie when he recovers from his ankle injury. Somewhat speculative that Pie would contribute significantly when/if he's called up, but I'd give more credit to this than the Johnny Damon rumors.

 

Welcome to the Forum!

[Bench Coach]

I think he'd look good in blue...

 

http://cache.boston.com/bonzai-fba/Globe_Photo/2004/10/31/1099233767_3004.jpg

[XZero771679666304]

50% chance it will be Felix Pie.

 

I thought they were shopping Hairston right now and will bring up Pie when he recovers from his ankle injury. Somewhat speculative that Pie would contribute significantly when/if he's called up, but I'd give more credit to this than the Johnny Damon rumors.

Just so you know, Pie probably won't be a leadoff hitter when he is in the majors. At least he shouldn't be one.

 

Corey shouldn't have been either, but we all know how that turned out.

[TB_11]

50% chance it will be Felix Pie.

 

I thought they were shopping Hairston right now and will bring up Pie when he recovers from his ankle injury. Somewhat speculative that Pie would contribute significantly when/if he's called up, but I'd give more credit to this than the Johnny Damon rumors.

Just so you know, Pie probably won't be a leadoff hitter when he is in the majors. At least he shouldn't be one.

 

are there really rumors that they want to bring Pie up? why not, afterall, the last time they rushed a blue chip centerfielder to the majors it worked out great.

 

They had planned on bringing Pie up before he got hurt, which is why Greenberg was called up instead. Expect Pie to be playing in Wrigley fairly soon. :x

[fearthecubs]

Hairston will be traded because the Cubs think he is an idiot. Felix Pie is probably the most likely guy.

[frostwyrm]

I doubt Hairston will be excited about coming back unless he's guaranteed playing time like Walker and Hollandworth were. He has also said he prefers 2B to the outfield.

[BRASKYS SCOTCH]

50% chance it will be Felix Pie.

 

I thought they were shopping Hairston right now and will bring up Pie when he recovers from his ankle injury. Somewhat speculative that Pie would contribute significantly when/if he's called up, but I'd give more credit to this than the Johnny Damon rumors.

Just so you know, Pie probably won't be a leadoff hitter when he is in the majors. At least he shouldn't be one.

 

are there really rumors that they want to bring Pie up? why not, afterall, the last time they rushed a blue chip centerfielder to the majors it worked out great.

 

They had planned on bringing Pie up before he got hurt, which is why Greenberg was called up instead. Expect Pie to be playing in Wrigley fairly soon. :x

 

 

I'm by no means throwing an opinion out there re: Pie. The hype/chatter that has been circulating around Felix is becoming hard to ignore, and I do believe Hendry was looking to infuse a little youthful ambition and energy via a Pie, Murton call-up.

 

While I would hope that the Cubs be circumspect in how they handle Felix it's unfair to hang a "potential bust" sign on him because his situation parallels Corey's as a young player. By all accounts Pie appears to be a bit smarter/more mature of a ballplayer than Corey, i.e., more aware at the plate, considerate of the situation/runners on base, ... able to vary his swing.

 

Pie can hit for power but also slaps the ball and carries a good OBP. While it may be true that they don't convert him to a leader there's a definite possibility, if not a likelihood. I could see him batting #2 with Walker leading off. I don't think Hairston will be around. The Cubs are reportedly disappointed in his baseball IQ, and it's been reported that he's missed signs, evidenced poor decision-making, etc. I doubt his future's in the outfield, as well. He seems to have a poor read on the distance balls carry out there.

 

Pie will be a gold glove caliber CF. I wouldn't mind seeing Corey move to right or left. Hendry surely won't trade Corey this year (his value's abysmal), and if he shows enough improvement you can bet Hendry will hold on to him. Maybe throw Murton or a veteran in the remaining outfield slot.

 

Anyway, I've rambled. Long-time reader, early poster via RealGM boards for the Bulls. Appreciate the discussions/threads I've read here. Fire away.

[fearthecubs]

I doubt Hairston will be excited about coming back unless he's guaranteed playing time like Walker and Hollandworth were. He has also said he prefers 2B to the outfield.

 

How could anyone enjoy an organization that is located in his hometown - but has publically questioned his intelligence, and has sat him in favor of much worse players, when his services (OBP) were exactly what the team needed?

[Magnetic Curses]

hey brasky, haven't you heard? on this site, we pronounce brasky "bel-tran".

[Magnetic Curses]

i'm not enamoured with furcal OR cedeno, quite frankly. nomar will be cheaper than furcal, and better than cedeno.

 

if he gets hurt again, you can strangle me.

[BRASKYS SCOTCH]

hey brasky, haven't you heard? on this site, we pronounce brasky "bel-tran".

 

que?!

[Cubzfan64]

Damon

 

Yeah, because he's worth Boras LT money at what, 34?

 

Nevermind, I'm an idiot, he's only 31... A little more palatable.

 

My gut tells me Damon is going to want $13-$15 mil per season for a MINIMUM of 3 years and likely 4-5. Add to that the fact that he will sit back and wait for the bidding to end before he decides who he's gonna play for (cough... Yanks... cough) and during all this time even if the Cubs are interested, they'll have to sit back and wait for him to make a decision before they pursue anything else because of the potential $ of signing Damon.

 

I honestly just don't think he's a sound choice for what he's going to be asking. Getting him and signing him to a ridiculous contract will only cause us to not be able to financially address other deficiencies on the club.