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 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. Where did my post say anything about not calling Pie up or expanding the roster? Of course, if he is ready to be called up, he could be called up to help. But to make an argument that the Cubs should not get Pierre, because it may stunt Pie's growth is ridiculous. Jim Hendry should be concerned with putting together a winning team in 2006. The Cubs have a hole at the leadoff spot and in CF. Pierre fits both of those holes.