http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/6357428

Rosenthal writes that the Cubs, who have an obvious hole in center field (if Pie isn't ready by the start of the seaon), are looking to

1. Perhaps (still) trade Jacque Jones
   
2. Sign Cliff Floyd
   
3. Sign free agent OF's Erstad or Finley

I question the theory floating around here and elsewhere in baseball that the Cubs need a temporay CF if Pie isn't ready. Look, the kid (he's a mere 21) needs more work (cut down those K's and take more walks), but then again we all have some improving to do, right?

Anyway, I believe that Pie is closer than ever to being the starter in center... after the trading deadline, the time by which Jacque Jones should be sent on his way, unless his defense improves and his hitting stays consistently strong.

I really like Pie. (I also privately defended Hendry for signing Jacque Jones last offseason, so I have a history, as we've seen, of being totally off base--at times).

At any rate, Pie is no Corey Patterson; he has had to earn everything in his baseball life, from what I understand. Corey, in addition to being coached improperly by too many good-intentioned meddlers, lacked the mental focus early on in his Cubs career.

Pie will be great. Later. For now let's put Jacque Jones in center and see how Pie fares in the immediate future.  

As a side note, does anyone know if Jacque Jones has any LF experience?

I know, I know, let's not steal time from Murton, but what about Murton in LF against lefties and Jacque Jones in LF against (most) righties? Pie in CF and Soriano in RF would be awesome, don't you think?

I'm done. Have at me, I mean, it!