Pie Time

by David Bloom on Apr 25, 2007 1:02 PM CDT

I happen to be a long time follower of Lou Piniella's antics as the founder of DRays Bay and have been following his team closely since spring training.

In Spring I saw Felix Pie playing exceptional ball and it was early in the Cactus league season that Lou said he was out of the mix for the start of the year.

I wondered why Soriano would be playing CF knowing that Soriano performed so well in LF last year.

I wanted to reach out to the Cubs community and see their take on where they see Pie with the recent move of Soriano to the position he should have started in and what they plan on doing with OF from here on out.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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An amazing athlete...

with good baseball instincts. Looks to have a problem with plate dsicipline, and adjusting to a smaller strike zone. On a team with better offensive production, I'd like to see him playing. With the current situation in Chicago, I suspect he's best getting his at-bats in AAA for a few more months.

by Damen Jackson on Apr 25, 2007 1:10 PM CDT reply actions

I will bite....

since I am at work and do not like working.

I think, given the common fear that we are going to create another Corey Patterson if he is called up too early, he needs to stay. He provides a MUCH needed upgrade defensively and has shown that he has offensive skills.

He is a rookie and will undoubtedly require some fine tuning at this level. Give him the chance though...

I love that Lou is here now and I think that I like most of what he is doing. I think he is getting used to this league again and also getting to know the team. I do think however, that he is giving people like Floyd, Ward, Cedeno, and even Izturis too much playing time since he ought to know what he has with these guys.

Others such as Theriot and Murton truly deserve more time to actually know whether they are suited to start and where.

Pie must stay, With him in CF, Soriano in LF and Murton in RF seems acceptable. I wish that the unrealistic contracts given to players like Jones and Floyd, were not seemingly forcing the hand of managament in making decisions.

Can't we sit a player with a multi year contract, or perhaps on that was just given a contract?

Floyd is fine off the bench...he is simply a statue in the field.

Got Hebrew National?

by Kinky Reggae on Apr 25, 2007 1:16 PM CDT reply actions

I will agree...

...with you to an extent: I like Soriano in LF, Pie in CF, and Murton in RF (although I'd love it better if you'd flip Murton and Soriano, since I think RF is where someone with Soriano's arm should be).

I don't agree that JJones' contact is "unrealistic." In fact, given the FA market this past offseason, I'll say it was reasonably in line for someone with his numbers. (Please note, though, that I'm not defending the signing...I just don't think Jones or his contract is the albatross we all thought it would be at the time of the signing)

That being said, I think our best hope is to move Murton, since he arguably gets us something in a trade due to his youth, good numbers/future prospects, and small contract. If Soriano was in RF as opposed to left, this would be even easier, since Floyd/JJones could alternate in LF (sorry, but Floyd cannot play RF), with Jones also available to give rest to Pie and Soriano.

But today's lineup, playing Theriot at SS? AWESOME. (Awesome, that is, if we play)

by Chadnudj on Apr 25, 2007 1:48 PM CDT up reply actions

I suppose we are close...

I agree that todays lineup appears to be a good idea for now, we shall see.

Still want to hold on to Murton and find some way to move Jones...I am okay with Floyd off the bench.

Again, IMO, Lou was the best signing of all and he WILL bring wins here, as soon as someone figures out what the hell is going on with this team.

Got Hebrew National?

by Kinky Reggae on Apr 25, 2007 2:26 PM CDT reply actions

Question.......

I have been a Cubs fan since birth but only really truly started to learn the nuances of the game of baseball within the last 5 years. I hated the sport previously but always loved and followed the cubs.

My questions is, and tell me if I am just ignorant. If you have a hole at a position and a young player that can fill the defensive side of it better than anyone else in your organization. Would you not want that player hitting against the best pitchers rather than minor leaguers who he can hit with no trouble?

It seems in other sports, such as the NBA, that a young player that leaves college gets ana advantage even on the bench being able to work with and practice against the best palyers in the game. Why wouldnt/couldnt this work in baseball with Sr. Pie?

It just seems odd to me that you would leave him in the minors to get "better" off of lesser pitchers when you can have him learn against the best of the best on a daily basis. He may struggle for a while and even lose a little confidence from time to time but how many times have we seen a player making great defensive plays get more confident at the plate?

Can we please get some wins in close games? One?

by Dcubbienole on Apr 25, 2007 2:53 PM CDT reply actions

Yes and no.

Here is the only problem with that scenario. The Cubs are trying (granted, without much success) to win games NOW. A team that is trying to do that is not going to do a lot of experimenting with a young player, and I think that is the main reason that Pie started the season in AAA. Pie is going to hit at the Major League level, but he has not really done it yet, and you can't wait around for a guy to start hitting when you also have Murton and Floyd, who are proven Major League hitters.

I will say this: If the second half of this season turns into nothing more than a dress rehearsal for 2008, the Cubs need to go with the young guys absolutely every day. Theriot at either second or short (probably short, as the Cubs are not going to sit DeRosa with what he's making), Murton in left, Pie in center, and Soriano in right. And I think they will.

"Don't complain to me about the stormy weather, boys. Just bring the ship into port." --Steve Stone, September 2004

by ctcoff99 on Apr 25, 2007 3:19 PM CDT up reply actions

While I'm not going to argue with you

Izturis/Cedeno is like putting suck and shit together it's not simply their fault this team doesnt' produce, granted there've been times where they could've come through for us, this has been a team failure, the whole team is culpable at this point.

Izturis/Cedeno need to go, that's for sure, they should be banished to Iceland somewhere, the Artic maybe, anywhere away from a baseball field.

Faith Plus One - Contributing Editor -http://www.inaleagueofherown.com

by Faith plus 1 on Apr 25, 2007 4:55 PM CDT reply actions

Off topic, but

Congrats on your sweep of the damnyankees. We NL'ers hate them too!

Go Nebraska Football!

by sanantonecub on Apr 25, 2007 6:49 PM CDT reply actions

Interesting

Why the inquiry?

As for the question I think the Cubs had no choice based on timing and circumstances. Pie is the best defender and then the question is whether he can hit and develop plate discipline. Soriano can relax. As for RF....well the answer is not Murton, Jones of Floyd....so I wonder if TB is willing to part with Crawford for Jones & Murton?

Best Harry moment: 'Hey there's Marla without her shorts on!'

by Ivy Walls on Apr 25, 2007 11:15 PM CDT reply actions