Why trade for Crisp now?

by kifaru37 on Mar 2, 2008 9:34 AM CST Comment 61 comments

I've seen in several diaries people mentioning making a trade for Coco Crisp to platoon with Felix Pie in CF. The reason he wants out of Boston is because he's not starting...why would he want to come to Chicago to play in a platoon and play one every 3 or 4 days against lefties? Why don't we see what Pie can do as an everyday starter before we go and trade for another center fielder who can't hit that well? I'm sure we could find someone on the market during the season if Pie shows he can't handle the job.

Thoughts?

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I agree 100%

Someone like Crisp may prove attractive if Pie cannot get his offense going after a couple of months of playing every day. But trading for him now would prevent Felix from finally getting his fair shot at the position, and represent giving up in him far too early. His defense is good enough that he should be given MORE time, not less, to figure out the hitting. And as you say, Crisp isn't a very good hitter anyway.

Why does everybody stand up and sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" when they're already there? ~Larry Anderson

by JohnM on Mar 2, 2008 9:37 AM CST reply actions

he's 28-years-old

that means he is in his prime years. his offense this year should be better than any other year of his career. this is his career line vs. lefties:

.283 .332 .426

if you think pie will do that against lefties, you are the most optimistic cubs fan on this blog.

pie has plenty of time to be a full-time player for the cubs. im interested in putting out the best lineup we can everyday in 2008. not giving pie "his fair shot." a strict platoon with crisp and pie makes a world of sense.

Bill James Felix Pie 2008 Projection: .283/.333/.456 16 HR 21 SB

by kylejo on Mar 2, 2008 11:13 AM CST up reply actions

I still don't think Crisp is worth it

Pie will likely not match those numbers, but you have to factor in that Crisp is not going to accept a platoon happily, plus:

OF with Crisp against lefties will likely be Soriano/Crisp/Fukudome.

If you want to have a platoon, wouldn't it be better to use Fukudome in CF and have Soriano/Fukudome/Murton as your outfield against lefties? Sure the defense would not be as good (probably an understatement), but Murton's career numbers against lefties are .319/.386/.505.

I think it makes more sense to save the trade chips the team has until the season plays out a little bit and the true needs are exposed.

by kifaru37 on Mar 2, 2008 11:34 AM CST up reply actions

Most optimistic

You seem to have a lot of certainty about what Pie will or won't do. I don't think anyone really knows, since a) his MLB experience is extremely limited, and b) that experience did not come in a sustained period of starting every day. We'll never know till he gets that shot. The numbers you quote for Crisp against lefties may well be 60 points in OPS higher than Felix's will be, but are those 150 ABs out of the 8 hole worth 5 million a year, and having a pissed off Crisp, who wants to start and not platoon?

If Felix isn't getting it done offensively, out of the 8 hole, by June 1 -- then get someone in to platoon or take over.

Why does everybody stand up and sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" when they're already there? ~Larry Anderson

by JohnM on Mar 2, 2008 11:57 AM CST up reply actions

where did i ever

say specifically what pie would do in 2008, or how certain i am of those stats. to think pie would do that against lefties is just so far out of left field i would think its a general consensus among any baseball person who knows felix pie that if he hit .283 vs. lefties in his first full season in the major leagues after hitting:

.190/.254/.293

in his absolute breakout triple a season last year, it would be a minor miralce. look at those stats. that is what he did in the year he made triple a pitchers look like little girls. pie will struggle against lefties, and will most likely be out of the lineup against any decent left-handed pitcher. if you can swap marquis contract with crisp's, to have a better lineup in 2008 why would you not do it?

right now, we will have the highest paid long reliever in baseball. or we could have a strict platoon with a player who meets lou's and hendry's criteria. a right-handed hitter who can play all outfield positions and has the speed lou's been busting a nut over all offseason. the fact that crisp is entering the prime years of his career is just gravy. excuse me when i dont want to trade jose ceda or donnie veal for marlon byrd.

Bill James Felix Pie 2008 Projection: .283/.333/.456 16 HR 21 SB

by kylejo on Mar 2, 2008 11:02 PM CST up reply actions

Re: where did I ever?

"If you think pie will do that against lefties, you are the most optimistic cubs fan on this blog."

You seem pretty sure of yourself there, that Pie won't compare to Crisp, at least against lefties. And in your follow up post: "to think pie would do that against lefties is just so far out of left field ...... minor miracle, etc. etc." Again, you don't have much uncertainty about the issue, do you?

But I'd like to take issue with both of these statements. You put words in my mouth both times. I never said I thought those things.

You say I'm over optimistic, because I don't believe anyone knows what he'll do given the chance to play every day. You also try to marginalize me by implying my view is somehow off the wall, but there's plenty of others, even in this thread, who think Pie hasn't had a chance to prove himself yet, and that because of this, Crisp isn't the best idea for right now.

Again, I never said Pie would hit as well as Crisp against lefties. I did say the likely difference in their performance in 150 ABs wasn't worth $5 million (and completely second-guessing the organization's investment in and development of Pie).

Crisp is a good idea if Pie is a bust. Pie isn't a bust yet.

Why does everybody stand up and sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" when they're already there? ~Larry Anderson

by JohnM on Mar 3, 2008 4:51 AM CST up reply actions

the 5 mil is meaningless

if you swap marquis and crisp's contracts, as i originally suggested.

and yes, i am fairly certain that a player who hit .190 against triple a lefties while hitting .450 against triple a righties will not hit .285 against major league lefties. to think otherwise is ridiculous.

Bill James Felix Pie 2008 Projection: .283/.333/.456 16 HR 21 SB

by kylejo on Mar 3, 2008 10:19 AM CST up reply actions

"if you swap marquis and crisp's contracts

...as i originally suggested"

Sorry, I didn't see that mentioned here. It's a big leap of faith, or a big "if", to put in front of such a strongly argued point, though. What "if" Boston has no interest in that deal? Is the difference Crisp provides worth a couple of good prospects, or is it only worth it if it's a trade for Marquis?

Why does everybody stand up and sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" when they're already there? ~Larry Anderson

by JohnM on Mar 3, 2008 10:48 AM CST up reply actions

my bad

i originally brought his up in a different thread i guess.

all of my bantering on this subject was under the assumed trade of murton and marquis for crisp. i would not want to unload any prospects for crisp, and would actually hope to get a lower level prospect back in the deal.

i do not want crisp if it cost more than murton and them eating marquis contract.

Bill James Felix Pie 2008 Projection: .283/.333/.456 16 HR 21 SB

by kylejo on Mar 3, 2008 11:37 AM CST up reply actions

are you skirting the issue here?

"crisp is a good idea if pie is a bust. pie isnt a bust yet"

i do not at all think pie will be a bust. note my sig. however, crisp is a good idea because let me ask you this question. who on this roster plays center field against left-handed pithcers this year?

Bill James Felix Pie 2008 Projection: .283/.333/.456 16 HR 21 SB

by kylejo on Mar 3, 2008 10:20 AM CST up reply actions

skirting the issue

I don't think so, am I? I said "if x, then y". That's pretty clear cut, no? Just saying I'll agree with you when and if Pie turns out to be inadequate given regular playing time. I only asked for two months, not the whole season. That's maybe 50 at bats against lefties -- could you put up with that?

I do very much realize that Pie could be a bust and my over optimistic tendencies will be exposed -- that's not skirting the issue, I don't think -- it's just being realistic.

Why does everybody stand up and sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" when they're already there? ~Larry Anderson

by JohnM on Mar 3, 2008 10:58 AM CST up reply actions

i agree

i would have no problem if hendry brought this up to boston in may.

i would love for pie to start off on a good note against lefties and forget about this, i just want the best possible lineup out there everyday in 2008 because i really think this team has a legitimate shot at the ultimate goal.

Bill James Felix Pie 2008 Projection: .283/.333/.456 16 HR 21 SB

by kylejo on Mar 3, 2008 11:38 AM CST up reply actions

i second that.

by dogcatratcheese on Mar 2, 2008 10:33 AM CST reply actions

Thirded.

n/t

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

by Al Yellon on Mar 2, 2008 10:49 AM CST reply actions

hey i want to see pie full time

but do you expect pie to hit .285 against lefties this year? hell we would be happy if he did that against righties. i dont think you can argue that a straight platoon with the two would not make this lineup better. period. and who gives a shit what he thinks? he is going to play, and play hard regardless of his situation. a straight platoon in chicago is more than boston is offering him.

if the cost is murton and marquis, why would you not want to improve this lineup?

Bill James Felix Pie 2008 Projection: .283/.333/.456 16 HR 21 SB

by kylejo on Mar 2, 2008 11:09 AM CST reply actions

Well if you believe the stories

Cubs fans want to move Marquis now with his comments but supposedly Crisp made similar comments because he might be platooning with Ellsbury.

If Marquis is supposedly a clubhouse cancer, why isn't Crisp? Crisp will be in a similar position in Chicago with Pie.

by rlpete on Mar 2, 2008 11:16 AM CST up reply actions

who said anything about cancer?

i think the cubs want to move marquis because he sucks, and is not as good as their other options. where did some member of the cubs brass say that they should move marquis before he becomes a cancer? coco crisp can earn more playing time if his bat does the talking for him. once the season starts he's not just going to bitch and moan, he's going to play the game he's been playing, and try to play it well. unless a player has a history of not getting along with his teammates, he's not all of a sudden going to become a "cancer". do you think cliff floyd wanted to play more last year? hell yeah he did. was he a dreaded "cancer?"

Bill James Felix Pie 2008 Projection: .283/.333/.456 16 HR 21 SB

by kylejo on Mar 2, 2008 11:05 PM CST up reply actions

Disagree..

Cubs should trade Pie for Crisp. Having following Crisp for 2 years here in Boston, he is an excellent switch-hitting defender. He was injured during the 2006 season which probably carried over into 2007. I think he will do much better in the National League. Personally, I think Pie could be a bust (remember Corey?).

"Hey-Hey! Home Run! Attaboy Ronnie!" ~ Jack Brickhouse

by ronsanto10 on Mar 2, 2008 11:31 AM CST reply actions

now this

is just a horrible idea.

Bill James Felix Pie 2008 Projection: .283/.333/.456 16 HR 21 SB

by kylejo on Mar 2, 2008 11:56 AM CST up reply actions

If the Cubs trade Pie for Crisp,

I will become a Cardinals fan.

Forget Corey, remember Brock for Broglio?

"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07

by gary varsho on Mar 2, 2008 12:00 PM CST up reply actions

That's a little extreme, isn't it?

In any case, the Cubs would never trade Pie for Crisp. That'd be stupid.

To me, getting Crisp is pointless, since he'd be, as pointed out above, just as unhappy here platooning with Pie as he would be platooning with Ellsbury in Boston.

If the Cubs insist on a platoon partner for Pie, Marlon Byrd is a better choice. Me, I think I'd just let Pie play for a couple months and see what happens.

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

by Al Yellon on Mar 2, 2008 12:25 PM CST up reply actions

I suppose,

but a trade like this would be just plain stupid. I don't know if I could handle something so soul-crushingly inane. But I admit my response was a bit extreme.

"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07

by gary varsho on Mar 2, 2008 12:45 PM CST up reply actions

agreed.............

I'd rather have Byrd as well. He would accept a 4th outfielder role much better. Obviously Crisp is not interested in doing that. Ultimately I think Jay Payton is your 4th outfielder. I would not give up any decent young players for either Crisp or Byrd.

by plenz on Mar 3, 2008 6:49 AM CST up reply actions

Problems solved????

Coco Crisp and his $11 million due for Jason Marquis and his $16.5 million due, with Matt Murton added to sweeten the pot for Boston. We add a versatile 4th outfielder type who can platoon with Felix Pie in CF, or take over completely if Pie flops. We get rid of a cancer in the process.

by MDBNIU on Mar 2, 2008 12:39 PM CST reply actions

And get another one in Crisp?

No thanks. This would be a terrible deal for the Cubs, not because they need Marquis and Murton, but because their value together far outstrips just Coco Crisp.

Try again.

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

by Al Yellon on Mar 2, 2008 12:42 PM CST up reply actions

Well...

Al, I doubt there are any teams out there willing to gulp down $16.5 million for 2 years of Jason Marquis. Not unless the Cubs are willing to take on somebody else's bad contract, ala the salary wash move of several years ago that netted Mark Grudzielanek and Eric Karros for Todd Hundley.

by MDBNIU on Mar 2, 2008 12:45 PM CST up reply actions

Not so fast.....

Please read the following and tell me why Marquis is a cancer and Crisp isn't.

http://www.thebostonchannel.com/sports/15354687/detail.html

Crisp will be a platoon with Pie. Does it seem like he'll be a happy camper?

by rlpete on Mar 2, 2008 12:46 PM CST up reply actions

Fine

Then what is your solution for shedding Jason Marquis and his $16.5 million due?? If Al and you think there is a market for his services given his contract, then I'm all ears.

by MDBNIU on Mar 2, 2008 12:54 PM CST up reply actions

I suspect

that if Hendry throws in a few million that he could find someone to take him once pitchers start going down in Spring Training. Baltimore might for example but don't expect Roberts in return.

I don't like taking on Crisp' deal in a swap for Marquis.

by rlpete on Mar 2, 2008 12:59 PM CST up reply actions

Hope that

Marquis ends up in the 5-hole at the end of ST. Marquis is usually a decent first-half pitcher. Banking on that, he pitches adequately well in the first half and you move him at the deadline. Otherwise, should the oft-fabled Roberts trade go down, dump off Marquis in that trade, even if we have to take on one of their bad contracts, like Chad Bradford or Jay Payton.

"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07

by gary varsho on Mar 2, 2008 12:59 PM CST up reply actions

I have a hunch

That IF a deal for Brian Roberts is to go down then Andy McPhail will insist the Cubs eat Jay Payton's contract as part of the package. Would Baltimore take on Jason Marquis??? I don't know about that. It would seem to me that Hendry would have to sweeten the pot even further to get Baltimore to agree to take Marquis off our hands in a Roberts trade.

by MDBNIU on Mar 2, 2008 1:04 PM CST up reply actions

I don't take Payton

If they don't take Marquis. I'm not that hot for Roberts that I'm willing to swallow one of Baltimore's mistakes unless they eat one of mine. I take Payton, you take Marquis. Otherwise, I'm quite comfortable heading into the season with Derosa as my everyday 2B.

"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07

by gary varsho on Mar 2, 2008 1:11 PM CST up reply actions

It would make

a world of sense for Baltimore to take, no WANT to take Marquis for Payton.

Payton has no role on that team. They could substitute Murton and get more production. Baltimore needs a durable starter who can eat innings and protect the younger starters from overuse.

by nickler on Mar 2, 2008 5:09 PM CST up reply actions

Yep.

And I think IF, and that's a ten-foot tall "if," the Roberts deal goes through, Marquis will probably be a part of it, especially given his comments of yesterday.

"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07

by gary varsho on Mar 2, 2008 5:21 PM CST up reply actions

Could happen....

...but if the Cubs are able to trade Marquis, they will end up eating half of the dough - unless they take on someone else's dead weight.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Mar 3, 2008 8:45 AM CST up reply actions

No platooning...

Crisp should be the starter. Period. Pie will be backup. We tried Pie for a couple months last year and he flopped. He simply can't hit lefties. Trade him now before his value decreases. What if he turns out to be a disaster by May? What will his worth be then?

"Hey-Hey! Home Run! Attaboy Ronnie!" ~ Jack Brickhouse

by ronsanto10 on Mar 2, 2008 12:57 PM CST up reply actions

Crisp's line was .268/.330/.382 last year

I'd be willing to gamble on Pie before trading him for that.

by rlpete on Mar 2, 2008 1:01 PM CST up reply actions

Where would Crisp fit if....?

Lou has said that he wants to give guys more days off this year. (That may change when Sori throws a temper tantrum over not being in the lineup like he did in Texas.) If Crisp were the "4th OF", he would probably get enough ABs between platooning in CF and playing once a week alternating LF and RF, except....

If the Roberts trade happens (I personally don't think it will), then all of the extra COF ABs will have to go to DeRo -- if you want to keep him happy, and he's a clubhouse leader -- and Crisp will be extremely unhappy.

No matter which way you slice it, someone will be unhappy. The question is: "whose unhappiness will create the most clubhouse problems?"

"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007

by DeRoMyHero on Mar 2, 2008 1:53 PM CST reply actions

Corvelli

It seems that half of you are suffering Pie-paranoia and the others are treating Coco Crisp as if he were Generic Brand Chocolate Corn Puff Cereal. Crisp is a top defensive CF whose bat in the NL Central will likely play well if not spectacularly. As a 4th OF and CF platoon partner, he'd be the best we could hope to have in that role.

That said, note that the articles have said the Red Sox brought up Crisp, not Hendry, and I wouldn't be surprised if Jim's involvement in these negotiations are more to bring down Texas' insane price for Marlon Byrd.

And all that said - Felix Pie is not a bust and not close to being a bust. He didn't have enough time last year to prove what he is going to be; but he has proven himself at every other level. I'd still rather have Pie than Jacoby Ellsbury, fwiw.

Soriano must leadoff... to provide adequate protection for Big Z!

by DGU on Mar 2, 2008 3:05 PM CST reply actions

platoon?

look....let's just see what pie can do and forget about the platoon idea!how will pie ever learn to hit lefties if he is on the bench!show some confidence in the kid and LET HIM PLAY!!

by cubz409 on Mar 2, 2008 9:04 PM CST reply actions

he's 23

he has plenty of time to learn. a platoon makes this club better in 2008. period. who else on this current cubs roster, plays center field when erik bedard comes to the mound this summer?

because pie's .190 batting average and sub-.300 slugging agasint lefties last year when he tore triple a new asshole certainly is not going to be in the lineup. and if it is we're talking about the golden sombrero folks. i want pie to succeed just as much or more than anyone on this board. but i want the cubs to be as good as they can be in 2008 before i start worrying about pie and his ability to hit lefties five years from now.

Bill James Felix Pie 2008 Projection: .283/.333/.456 16 HR 21 SB

by kylejo on Mar 2, 2008 11:10 PM CST up reply actions

The Cubs won't face Bedard this year.

Besides, if Felix Pie is ever going to become a good major league regular (and I believe he will), the way to do it is NOT to make him a platoon player. Put him out there and let him play, at least for a couple of months. Taking a poor performance against lefties in a the hit-or-miss way he was in the lineup last year as what he's going to do in the future is just plain wrong.

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

by Al Yellon on Mar 3, 2008 3:50 AM CST up reply actions

Maybe

he would gain more confidence if he focused on mastering righties first, then once he got some confidence (over a season or so), started facing more lefties.

Also, even in the minors his splits were fairly dramatic. For example, in 2006 in Iowa he hit .293/.349/.500 vs righties and .256/.322/.327 vs lefties. So its possible he's not destined for success against lefties.

Regardless, the organization has been sending a few messages this off-season. 1. They don't want Marquis. 2. They want an athletic, versatile, right-handed 4th outfielder. 3. They are not as confident in Pie as many here are. I think this proposed deal follows the smoke of these factors well enough for me to think there might be fire somewhere.

by jazzypete on Mar 3, 2008 8:38 AM CST up reply actions

im not taking a poor performance

from the majors last year. im taking his abismal performance in triple a against left-handed pithcers. HES 23!!!!

plenty of time to learn to hit lefties. the 2008 cubs should not be concerned about grooming players for the future. they should be concerned about winning in 2008.

Bill James Felix Pie 2008 Projection: .283/.333/.456 16 HR 21 SB

by kylejo on Mar 3, 2008 10:22 AM CST up reply actions

I'd say that...

... .256/.322/.327 at Iowa vs. LHP isn't "abysmal". Would you agree?

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

by Al Yellon on Mar 3, 2008 10:44 AM CST up reply actions

nope not at all

i could not find his 2006 splits. i was going off of his .190 avg. 2007 split.

Bill James Felix Pie 2008 Projection: .283/.333/.456 16 HR 21 SB

by kylejo on Mar 3, 2008 11:40 AM CST up reply actions

ill ask this question again

who on the cubs current roster, plays center field against left-handed pitchers?

Bill James Felix Pie 2008 Projection: .283/.333/.456 16 HR 21 SB

by kylejo on Mar 3, 2008 10:24 AM CST up reply actions

I'll answer it.

Felix Pie. I just don't see why this situation cries out for a platoon, unless you have the perfect platoon partner in mind. Neither Marlon Byrd, nor Coco Crisp, nor Jay Payton, fits that bill in my mind.

Let Pie play. If in two months it's not working, revisit the question.

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

by Al Yellon on Mar 3, 2008 10:45 AM CST up reply actions

I haven't followed

spring games to date, but was curious as to whether Pie has been working in his bunting skills?

Against lefties, I really think he needs to offset the dissadvantage by dropping down bunt after bunt until he masters that craft. It will help to pull in the 3rd baseman, and give him a lot more room to slap the ball by him the other way.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Mar 3, 2008 11:13 AM CST up reply actions

good idea.

Bill James Felix Pie 2008 Projection: .283/.333/.456 16 HR 21 SB

by kylejo on Mar 3, 2008 11:40 AM CST up reply actions

On the roster options

Fukudome, with DeRosa in RF (you know who plays 2B)
Cedeno

Let's also point out that if the Cubs get a RH-OF who can play CF, that doesn't mean Pie will have to sit. I mean, we still need a 4th OF who can play CF, unless you're happy with the options above.

I do totally agree, though, that Pie has shown no ability to hit AAA lefties, let along ML lefties. The thing about lefties hitting lefties, though, is that they can seem to gain that skill suddenly. For a surprise, check Jacque Jones' splits last year.

Soriano must leadoff... to provide adequate protection for Big Z!

by DGU on Mar 3, 2008 12:49 PM CST up reply actions

It's already been established...

... that Fukudome is going to play RF. Period. That's one of the primary reasons he signed here instead of somewhere else.

What-if games are fun, but only if realistic. That's not realistic.

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

by Al Yellon on Mar 3, 2008 12:54 PM CST up reply actions

HA

The what-if game...if anyone listened to Murph today he was talking about a WHAT IF lineup that I was positive would get Piniella fired. It had Roberts and Crisp batting 1 and 2 and Soriano hitting 6th. I just about drove off the road

"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry "I strongly dislike Steve Stone." ---Hammer

by Hammer on Mar 3, 2008 4:00 PM CST up reply actions

I heard that too....

...and although I agree the Cubs will probably get Roberts at some point, I don't see the low OBP Crisp making any sense in the 2 hole.

I'll stick to what I have been saying for the past month or so; the Cubs lineup will look like this at some point early in the year:

Roberts
Fukudome
Lee
Ramirez
Soriano
Soto
Theriot
Pie (possible platoon)
Pitcher

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Mar 3, 2008 4:07 PM CST up reply actions

There's no way

Fukudome could play CF for 15 games a season? I was under the impression that was on the table. To be clear, I was just talking about Fukudome playing CF against some lefties to give Pie a chance to sit some of the time. I agree there's no way he's playing CF regularly.

Soriano must leadoff... to provide adequate protection for Big Z!

by DGU on Mar 3, 2008 4:11 PM CST up reply actions

I just don't see the point.

He's an outstanding right fielder. Why do that? Hurts your RF defense, for what purpose?

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

by Al Yellon on Mar 3, 2008 5:41 PM CST up reply actions

Because platoons work

The benefit of Murton's or DeRosa's bat against LHP compared to Pie's bat against LHP outweighs the defensive hit. Plus, why not use Murton as the 4th OF instead of trading for a poorer hitter as the 4th OF? If the only reason is - he can't play CF - well, how much does it matter if Fukudome can (from time to time)?

Soriano must leadoff... to provide adequate protection for Big Z!

by DGU on Mar 3, 2008 6:49 PM CST up reply actions

Murton can't really play RF either.

At this point, I say let Pie play every day for two months. If he's ever going to be a major league regular -- and I think he is -- you HAVE to find out if he can hit LHP!

A few AB last year where he didn't do well does NOT convince me he can't.

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

by Al Yellon on Mar 3, 2008 7:14 PM CST up reply actions

Murton can play RF well enough

First - I have no problem with letting Pie play for 2 months and see what he can do. It's probably my preference.

But, you don't HAVE to find out this year if he can hit LHP, and it might even be best to pick his spots against weaker LHP, rather than letting him face all the toughest LHP in the NL.

But it's not like it was just a few AB last year in which he didn't hit LHP. He didn't hit LHP in the minors all last year, either. This doesn't mean he won't pick it up eventually. It means he's not likely to pick it up in 2008.

Soriano must leadoff... to provide adequate protection for Big Z!

by DGU on Mar 3, 2008 9:45 PM CST up reply actions

Don't worry

Kosuke is in Chicago to play right field, period. And dont' be surprised if he wins the Gold Glove out there too. I'd be stunned if he so much as played 1 inning in center field.

by MDBNIU on Mar 3, 2008 9:44 PM CST up reply actions

Yes, a platoon

The Cubs are trying to win in 2008, not serve as developmental league. There's already a heap of concern whether Felix Pie can hit at this level without adding the burden of throwing him out there against lefties. Look at his career numbers versus left-handed pitching. Not a pretty tale.

by MDBNIU on Mar 3, 2008 10:09 AM CST up reply actions