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Why waste a year stunting his development in a platoon? How is a LH'er in a R/L platoon stunting his development? It's just protecting their ass if he struggles by giving the Cubs an additional option. It's not an all or nothing as far as throwing him out there for 160 games or stunting his development in '07.

Why? If Pie earns a promotion with performance at AAA, why waste money on a platoon partner that Dusty will overuse (if he is still here). Its not like the Cubs are one player from the world series so why not let Pie go at it if he earned his spot? I can't agree with you at all on this one. A caddy for Pie is worthless if he proves he can play at AAA (in which case he should get a shot late next year anyway). I guess I don't see your point at all except that you like Michaels better than Pierre. I'd like to see Pie prove himself in the majors for a larger sample than rotting on Dusty's bench next Sept. than give him the starting role right away and hope he makes the transition in '07. Pie has a good '06 at Iowa and does become the starting CF'er in '07, if he struggles, the Cubs are screwed offensively with someone likely expected to hit 1-2 in the order, putting him in a platoon situation protects the Cubs until he has proven himself either way. Michaels in a similar fashion as Philly used him and Lofton is the ideal way break Pie into the majors in '07. He'd get enough ABs to judge if he's ready to become the starting CF'er for '08 and they'd have a more than adequate option if Pie struggles his 1st trip thru the majors.

How would it be different with someone else in center? I think committing to keeping Pie in the minors all of next year is a good thing. Lets not Corey him. I don't understand your argument at all - all it seems to show is that Dusty should be replaced for failing to use his expanded roster to give young players a chance. The Cedeno argument is not a great one though because he got hurt. Offer the same proposal to Philly for Michaels, get a better player, and he's under contract/arby eligible for '07. That puts the Cubs in a position to platoon Pie/Michaels, something that wouldn't happen if they traded for Pierre and did or did not sign him long-term. I agree, Pie should get all of '06 at AAA and become a Sept. callup when the Iowa Cubs are done. As far as Pierre and his upcoming FA and how the impacts Pie. There isn't a scenario where the FA negatively impacts Pie. If you're getting a stop-gap, do it with someone that can ease Pie into a starting Cf'er rather than having him go straight from AAA to the majors w/out any other decent options. You assume the Cubs wouldn't have any other options in place going in to 07 - that's some time from now. I agree with Poudre Moose on this one. The Cubs would have another options, going thru FA for a CF'er or going with Pie on very limited ML experience. Now if they get a CF'er to platoon Pie with fine, but I doubt the odds would be high of that happening. My goal for Pie is for him to have a productive '06 at AAA, platoon for '07, and become the everyday CF'er in '08.

How would it be different with someone else in center? I think committing to keeping Pie in the minors all of next year is a good thing. Lets not Corey him. I don't understand your argument at all - all it seems to show is that Dusty should be replaced for failing to use his expanded roster to give young players a chance. The Cedeno argument is not a great one though because he got hurt. Offer the same proposal to Philly for Michaels, get a better player, and he's under contract/arby eligible for '07. That puts the Cubs in a position to platoon Pie/Michaels, something that wouldn't happen if they traded for Pierre and did or did not sign him long-term. I agree, Pie should get all of '06 at AAA and become a Sept. callup when the Iowa Cubs are done. As far as Pierre and his upcoming FA and how the impacts Pie. There isn't a scenario where the FA doesn't negatively impacts Pie. If you're getting a stop-gap, do it with someone that can ease Pie into a starting Cf'er rather than having him go straight from AAA to the majors w/out any other decent options.

1st off, you're wrong about all of your assumptions. I know Pie isn't ready and he might not be after next year, that was one of my points. The Cubs like most teams should use Sept. to evaluate young talent at the ML level, that has nothing to do with what position they are in as far as the standings. If they are in a close race as they were in '03 and '04 fine, but if they finish like they did say 2 months ago, they should use it to evaluate their prospects. Of course, Cedeno didn't get much out of the last month. Show me a team who is in the playoff race and doesn't expand their roster with various prospects? If Pierre has a .370 OBP next year and leads the Cubs to the WS, you think he's going to sign a 2 year deal and block Pie for 3 years? He won't. 1st, if Pierre has a good year next year, the Cubs would still need to improve several positions on the team to become likely to make the playoffs. 2nd, if Pierre has a good year he'll be a prime target for FA and with Pie's potential progression the Cubs would likely not go after him. Pierre is a rental, a rental that will put the Cubs in a vulnerable position for '07 as far as either locking up Pierre long-term or handing it to Pie w/out enough experience to judge if he's ready. Pierre isn't the difference between a team making the playoffs and not making the playoffs, even with Baker as manager.

It's a lose/lose as far as entering Pie into the equation and Pierre's FA. How will the Cubs accurately judge if Pie is ready to become a ML CF'er next year? He's going to spend the bulk of his year at AAA and if he's a Sept. callup, he wouldn't play over Pierre and his best shot would be a corner spot, depending on who they get for RF. You can't pencil him in for '07 with that little sample size, it's similar to Cedeno, I'd want someone more proven in '06, but if the only other option is Perez, I'd roll the dice with Cedeno. The Cubs would be better off getting someone cheaper and with more than one year left before he hits FA. Let's say Pierre does well next year are the Cubs going to say "Pie is almost ready to become an everyday CF'er, so we can only offer you a 1-2 yr deal"? Pierre improves CF and the leadoff spot, not as much of an improvement as I'd hope from the CF position, but an improvement nonetheless.

I think it's impossible to put odds on whether Cedeno or Perez would be the starting SS if those were the two choices. You can either way and come up with a valid point, even though that shouldn't be the case and that what scares me.

Exactly, that's what being done here. Even Ichiro who likely has the highest OPS on that squad can't even come close to the OPS of someone like Thome, Beltran, etc. of '04. Even if they're lower OPS totals as would likely be the case. It's not out of the realm of possibility that'd you find a lineup that consists of 9 .280/.310/.400 player and a lineup that consists of .250/.310/.400 and then compare those. But, if the 9 hitters with higher BAs also had the higher OPS they would score more runs than lower avg, higher slg. You can't accurately judge one sector over another if the OPS catagory has that high of a variation. You give me a team with a much higher OPS over the other and I'll predict a winner assuming an avg. pitching staff and defense.

Shouldn't this be done with players w/similar OPS though? OPS outweighs avg., obp, and slg.

I'd trade for one (CF) now, I want Michaels and I'm encouraged that Philly has been in contact w/Lofton's agent. Corey on the Cubs is a bad fit, I'm afraid he'll likely struggle and reduce his already diminished trade value b/c mentally I think he needs a change. But, Houston should look to address the btm of their order, that's a weakness that has been exposed in a similar fashion as it has been on the Cubs. I want Macias gone as much as anyone else, but I said that last year and the Cubs gave him a raise. They love his ability to hit from both sides and play multiple positions. Unfort., he doesn't hit well from either side and defensively isn't strong as any of the positions, versitility is lost when you bring nothing to the table at any of the multiple situations. Agreed on bullpen management, but they have to cater to Baker's inability to manage a pen and make it a cookie-cutter pen with established LOOGYs, set-up, 7th inning, and long-relief. He's going to burn one of them out by the AS break, it's just a matter of which one.

They wanted to start over top to btm and I guess cleaning all the areas would do that. When Lou exited Seattle, the players compaigned for McLaren and when Lou exited TB, they wanted McLaren. I've always been a McLaren supporter going back to his days in Seattle, he's always been able to be stern and gather player's respect. He's also been an aggressive manager throughout his minor league and winter ball coaching career.

I find it funny that you argue for Giles over Furcal because Furcal is past his prime. Giles has the type of skills that don't rapidly decline. Is Marcus Giles really much better than Walker? I would sign B Giles, Nomar and turn my attention to the pitching staff. You still need a CF'er, putting Corey at the btm of the order for 140 games is asking for trouble given the amount of time you'll see Perez, Blanco, and of course the SP in the same batting order. CF/RF/Nomar at SS would do wonders for the batting order. Of course, the bench would consist of Perez, Macias, Cedeno, Blanco, and one open spot. Offensively, that bench is horrible. They likely need two relievers at this stage as far as addressing pitching.

They should've hired McLaren as the Cubs should've instead of Baker.

They have to fix the OBP at the top and it appears they have no intention of letting Murton/Walker hit 1/2 based on their inability to scoot.

I'd like to see him back, his ideal role is being occupied by Macias (who's ideal role should be the 25th man on a team with the payroll of an Indy League squad). He could get some time at 2B with Walker and get some time showing poor instincts in CF.

I can't blame the upper management as far as lowering payroll, it wasn't working spending it like they did. Now, onto to how they lower it and how it involves the Cubs. :)

Since it looks like the Bears will need a 3rd HB, Thomas was signed last Tuesday by NO. The best avail. is Amos Zereoue who was relased recently by the Pats.

We should have a good Kentucky vs. Iowa matchup in the Guardian's classic next Monday. Has UK figured out their frontcourt situation yet? Morris won't be playing, Sims will likely start at the 4 and Crawford at the 3. It'll probably be Shag, Sims, and Crawford.

what? you're not changing arm speed or delivery from your fastball if you're doing it right. it's the resistance the ball sees that slows the ball down, not arm speed. the forces on the arm should be the same. 12 year olds learn this pitch. it should be the second pitch you learn (after the fastball). I know, what I said is what makes a change-up an effective pitch is the same arm angle and speed, it is also difficult for some pitchers to do while getting the drop in velocity and movement. 12 year olds can throw it, most throw a palm ball, though. But, to get a change-up to become an avg. or a plus pitch major league pitch is separate than a 12yo throwing it. It certainly isn't an easy pitch to master or everyone would be throwing it well.

I've been promtoing Jason Michaels for quite some time and he'd be a great leadoff option. In fact, he's a better leadoff option than Pierre. Pierre's speed doesn't make up the the ability to get on base or the defensive advantages Michaels brings over Pierre.

Raw, we both wanted the Bears to draft Pickett. Well, we'll get to see vs. a great defense, poor weather, and no talent around him. :)

Change-up is difficult to learn b/c it messes with your muscle memory. Getting the drop in velocity and slight movement down and away isn't as difficult to do, but keeping the same arm angle and speed is.

Jones is out for today's game, Benson will start. Good move by the Bears.

Ryan wants to improve Minny's offense, putting Nomar at SS would do that. Give him 120 starts with periodic rest and hope he stays healthy. If they get a DH and a SS, offensively they'll take the next step.

Very, but I don't see that hurting the 49'ers and their 4th string QB as much as Orton. Bears 20 49ers 13