I really find it hard to blame the Cubs if that's true. Agreed. I'm glad that Hendry wanted to insert that clause, both because Furcal would be horribly overpaid, and since character is important. Perhaps Furcal would have agreed to it if they had offered him another two or three million a year. If the Cubs had Furcal today, Derek Lee wouldn't be missing two months of baseball, and Pie might be trolling center field already. Considering we gave up two major league pitchers for a guy with an OBP below .300, I'd say the extra two or three million a year would have been worth it to grab Furcal. I can't figure out this part of your quote. I'm on board with your disappointment over Pierre's play at leadoff, but can't figure out any ability to keep Lee from getting hurt.