Soto up, Pie down

by andysilv on Jul 12, 2007 7:33 PM CDT

The Cubs called up Triple-A catcher Geovany Soto and sent down outfielder Felix Pie on Thursday. Soto start Friday as the Cubs start the second half against Houston.

Manager Lou Piniella announced the call-up before Thursday's workout at Wrigley Field.

http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports_hardball/2007/07/soto-on-board.html

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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3 Catchers???

Sorry I made the same post at the same time but why is Pie going down? We have 3 catchers now.

by gocubs40 on Jul 12, 2007 7:33 PM CDT reply actions

Oops...

I responded to your diary. I'm pretty sure another move will be coming shortly. They won't/can't stick with 11 pitchers and 3 catchers (two of whom can't hit at all) for very long.

Collecting my thoughts as well as some other posters' guesses, we're probably seeing one of the following:

showcasing Soto for another team
getting ready for a trade
testing Soto for a bit to see what he's got before letting Hill go
getting another RH bat

by SouthernCub on Jul 12, 2007 7:55 PM CDT up reply actions

And Lou

said Soto will be catching Z tomorrow. Heard it on Sports Nite tonight.

The recipe for success needs a little Marmol-ade.

by sue369 on Jul 12, 2007 7:40 PM CDT reply actions

Dempster

Dempster may be coming back soon (Next couple days) which could make us release or trade Bowen or Hill.

by gocubs40 on Jul 12, 2007 8:14 PM CDT reply actions

Zambrano and Soto

Glad Soto's up, sorry Pie is down (I realize he's not hitting, but I love his attitude). And I'm nervous about El Toro having Soto catch him tomorrow. He was in a real groove with Hill.

"Hello again, everybody. Harry Caray from Wrigley Field on a beautiful day for baseball."

by danimal15 on Jul 12, 2007 8:32 PM CDT reply actions

Me too.

I like the energy when Pie is up. I hope this doesn't kick off a downward spiral. I thought if it aint broke, don't fix it? I could have done with just a Soto for Hill league swap but I don't like this.

MMMMM...Hebrew National

by Kinky Reggae on Jul 12, 2007 8:47 PM CDT reply actions

agreed!

pie was tearing it up when he was recalled.then he slumps and they send him down.perhaps there is something in his swing?he can't possibly do any worse than jj and pagan i think is a liability in the outfield.also,we will have 4 catchers when blanco returns!

by cubz409 on Jul 12, 2007 11:07 PM CDT reply actions

A few things...

I don't think Pie would outhit Jones the rest of the way. This is the worst Jones has ever hit in years. He's due to rebound. Pie, on the other hand, wasn't making good contact at all for the past few weeks. I'd bet on Jones having better numbers in the second half if both played everyday.
Pie wasn't going to get regular AB. His playing time had been greatly reduced in the last week. Thus, it's better for him to see regular AB, even if it's in AAA.
They aren't going to keep 3 catchers for long. One of the three will be moved, probably once Dempster is ready to return.
It's not "when" Blanco returns, it's "IF" Blanco returns. That's still not a guarantee. And if/when that happens, they'll make another move. They won't have 4 catchers on the 25-man roster.

by SouthernCub on Jul 13, 2007 6:13 AM CDT up reply actions

Really?

I think Pagan is OK in the outfield (running the bases is another matter). Pagan is hitting .267, not great but respectable. I don't understand why so many folks are willing to give Pie unlimited opportunity but want to dump other guys. Pie is hitting .216 in 139 AB this season with an OBP of .272. That's bad. Many people here constantly complain about our catchers lack of offense and think we need to make a move. Granted, Bowen has not hit well in his nine games with the Cubs, but overall this season he is at .220 with an OBP of .326. Better OBP than Pie and a comparable average. If we need to replace him, why not Pie? I think Felix is going to be a good player, but if Lou isn't going to play him much, send him down and get him some at bats. We have a shot at winning the division so it isn't the time to keep running a rookie out there who isn't producing just to see if he can get it together. I also think Soto has earned the call up and a chance to show what he can do. If he plays well certainly either Hill or Bowen will be gone.

by qccub on Jul 13, 2007 6:50 AM CDT up reply actions

I'm happy to see Soto

but I wonder why it took so long. And I understand Blanco is about to begin his rehab in the minors this week. If he's given 7-10 days in the minors, Hendry has some major shuffling to do this close to the trade deadline. But at least we haven't waited until July 31 to do something.

Josh Kroeger. Remember the name. Stay tuned for the fame.

by tharr on Jul 13, 2007 6:47 AM CDT reply actions

I think...

...his shoulder was hurt and he was limited to DH for a few weeks. Hence the delay.

by MikeJ on Jul 13, 2007 8:10 AM CDT up reply actions

Hill was out of options ....

so he would have had to clear waivers if they were going to send him down. I think they are making a good move to get Pie some AB's & JJ a chance to see if he can resurrect his season. He was starting to show some good signs before the break. Love Pie & he's be back but also anxious to see what Soto can do, hopefully he starts out great catching Big Z today.

by Basman on Jul 13, 2007 8:14 AM CDT reply actions

About Hill...

the options issue is the same now as it's going to be in a few days/weeks. That won't change. They're going to have to do something with either Hill, Soto, or Bowen. They can't keep 3 catchers.

My guess is that they are either showcasing Soto, or they want to see if Soto can perform before putting Hill on waivers.

All that said, I doubt putting Hill on waivers is such a huge risk. It's not like there are going to be a ton of teams clamoring for a sub-.200 hitting catcher.

by SouthernCub on Jul 13, 2007 8:28 AM CDT up reply actions

Jones is the new starting CF according to

Paul Sullivan's article in this morning's Tribune. Wait, the guy who was almost traded for a single A player is now the starter for a team trying to win the division? This makes no sense to me. What (besides a couple of base hits prior to the break) has changed? I would much, much prefer Pie and his .228 average coupled with his excellent defense and speed in the lineup everyday comparedto JJ with his wuss arm, poor baserunning and light hitting bat. This has the making of DISASTER in my opinion.

Dallas Green!

by SonnyJ9 on Jul 13, 2007 8:48 AM CDT reply actions

Here's why it makes sense.

Jones has been at least a decent major league hitter throughout his career. One of the reasons he hasn't hit this year is his inconsistent playing time.

His defense is atrocious, but his bad arm can be hidden a bit in CF.

What they are doing, I think, is trying to give him two weeks of consistent starts so maybe, just maybe, he'll hit enough for some other team to trade for him AND take the contract.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Jul 13, 2007 8:55 AM CDT up reply actions

Several things...

Jones has had by far the worst stretch of his career. He's not as bad a hitter has he has been to this point. Therefore, we'll probably see better from him.
You're not getting a .228 hitter in Pie. He's currently at .216/.272/.345. Since June 13, he is hitting .114/.170/.205! Speed is irrelevant when you can't get on base.
Pie was already benched. He had 3 AB in the last 10 games. So since he already wasn't playing, it's better for him to get regular time in AAA at least.
It's better to give Jones a chance to bounce back and improve his trade value.

So Jones, at his absolute worst, was still performing on a par offensively with Pie for the season. And if you compare him to the recent Pie, it's not even close. The move makes sense.

by SouthernCub on Jul 13, 2007 9:23 AM CDT up reply actions

I still say Pie in the lineup with his

speed and defense makes the Cubs a better team than with Jones in the lineup. It doesn't make sense to me and I still think it does not bode well for the Cubs as a team. Jones will not be in the #8 spot so his spot in the lineup will not be as "hidden" as Pie's. Watch the LOB, poor baserunning and atrocious defense and then tell me after two weeks that this still makes sense.
Jones didn't even earn this either which is another thing that bothers me.

Dallas Green!

by SonnyJ9 on Jul 13, 2007 11:16 AM CDT reply actions

Disagree...

Jones earned his playing time over several productive years as a major leaguer. And even in his worst year, he's been as productive as Pie has been offensively. Jones is bound to hit better in the second half, whereas you can't say that with any confidence for Pie (who REALLY regressed as a hitter the last few weeks, with an OPS under .400!).

You say that Jones didn't earn it, but what has Pie done to earn it? He only got the job in the first place because Jones was struggling and Soriano couldn't play CF. At least Jones has 4,000 AB with a .750+ OPS and over 150 HR to support his playing time.

by SouthernCub on Jul 13, 2007 12:12 PM CDT up reply actions