With Jim Edmonds struggling at the plate his days in a Cubs' uniform could be coming to an end. A report on Cubs.com indicated there is no timetable to see if Edmonds will be able to help the Cubs or not. But the bottom line is Edmonds is not contributing offensively. Lou Piniella has shown, in his brief stint with the Cubs, he has little patience with players not performing and he likes to play the hot hand. While Edmonds' defense appears to still be solid, his offense is the huge question mark surrounding the veteran centerfielder. Edmonds is 3-for-24 as a Cub with a walk and no extra base hits.
Felix Pie struggled after his demotion to Triple-A, except for the past two games. Could Pie be turning the page down in Iowa?
Bruce Levine mentioned soon after Pie was sent down to work on his swing, that if he started lighting up Triple-A pitching again right away then he was not working on what Lou and his staff sent him down to correct, Pie managed only 3 hits in his first 8 games (3-for-32 with 2 walks and 1 extra base hit....a home run in his third game on May 20th).
In the past two games, Felix Pie has produced at the plate. He was 2-for-4 with a double, a run scored and 2 RBI's on Monday night. On Tuesday, Pie went 1-for-4 with a double, a walk and 2 runs scored. All 6 of his hits have come against right handed pitching and he is 0-for-12 against lefties....but that is not what the Cubs need this season out of Pie.
Lou Piniella wants a solid left handed hitter in centerfield that can play good defense and that he can platoon with Reed Johnson. Pie fits the job description....he just needs to work on his consistency at the plate.
While Jim Edmonds has not performed yet, Mark DeRosa brought up a good point in a report on Cubs.com. It is a new situation, a new team and Edmonds needs time to adjust. The Cubs want Jim Edmonds to be successful in blue pinstripes and Felix Pie should want the same. If Pie can continue to improve he will likely determine Edmonds' future with the Cubs. If Pie struggles and Edmonds continues to be unsuccessful at the plate, Jim Hendry might have to look for another solution for centerfield....and that could have a large effect on Felix Pie's future with the Cubs.
The Cubs are scheduled to face only two left handers over the next five games, so the next two weeks should determine whether Edmonds stays or goes....and where Felix Pie finishes out his season.
I believe that they should gave Micah Hoffpauir a chance in the outfield to see if he can be a solution.
I have a question for anyone who can help. I have been looking at the Iowa Cubs website for a few weeks, and in looking at the pitchers I saw Randy Keisler has an ERA of around 2.70, and today I am watching the game on Gameday, and he has 6 k's through 3 and 2/3 inning. I am not familiar with him, any insight would be greatly appriciated.
Nick...Keisler's bio info says he was a 2nd round draft pick of the Yankees in 2002. He is a lefty, age 32 and started 2007 with the Cards. They sent him to Memphis where he was 8-11 with a 4.79 ERA. He must have been a minor league free agent or was out-righted and then signed with the Cubs after 2007. At 4-4 with a 2.78 ERA at Iowa, he may be having his best year in a while.
Finding someone who does more than play defense and especially someone who bats left could be a challenge. I've liked David DeJesus at KC for a few years. He is a solid defender and citizen and has a .280 career average. With Gathright able to play CF and having a SS, Pena, who has hit .164 in 146 AB's, maybe there's a deal possible with Cedeno or Theriot included.
Crisp a switch hitter with some power and maybe a little too much ego is available and is a good player. My man Seth Smith is up with the Rockies because stars Holliday and Hawpe are on the DL. I don't think Pie is the answer this year.
Nick...Keisler's bio info says he was a 2nd round draft pick of the Yankees in 2002. He is a lefty, age 32 and started 2007 with the Cards. They sent him to Memphis where he was 8-11 with a 4.79 ERA. He must have been a minor league free agent or was out-righted and then signed with the Cubs after 2007. At 4-4 with a 2.78 ERA at Iowa, he may be having his best year in a while.
Finding someone who does more than play defense and especially someone who bats left could be a challenge. I've liked David DeJesus at KC for a few years. He is a solid defender and citizen and has a .280 career average. With Gathright able to play CF and having a SS, Pena, who has hit .164 in 146 AB's, maybe there's a deal possible with Cedeno or Theriot included.
Crisp a switch hitter with some power and maybe a little too much ego is available and is a good player. My man Seth Smith is up with the Rockies because stars Holliday and Hawpe are on the DL. I don't think Pie is the answer this year.
Sorry for the double post. The charmer in my life returned from errands and confused my posting activity with a rapid fire report on the various store's prices on corn, green beans, Breyer's ice cream, etc.
Edmonds is starting to wear thin with me as well. I will like to see what happens in these two weeks whrer he should play a decent amount of games. If he doesn't at least show some improvement I would look for other options and give Johnson the job full time till you find something.
Thank you JimK
I know Lou and company are insisting Reed's left-handed counterpart be a power bat, but we've survived thus far with NO bat in that role ... what about someone that gets on base, loves to play in Wrigley, and has tons of post-season experience.
Sure, he's 40, but it's just for this year, right?
KENNY LOFTON!!!! Come back!
I'd like to see Fukudome in CF and a platoon of Hoffpauir and Murton in RF.
I think you give Edmonds a longer look before making any drastic moves that involve dealing Pie or Cedeno to another team.
I like the Kenny Lofton idea as well, he's a vet and can be had on the cheap.
Unfortunately, Kenny Lofton is also a bit of a prick and, from what I heard, him and Hendry aren't too cozy. You know what I say? If we need a platoon partner for Reed, let's give Cedeno a chance. Like mentioned, screw the power bat in center, because we've made it this far without one. I say we give Cedeno a chance against some righties, sub in Reed or Edmonds later in the game for defense, and if it works, you can get rid of Edmonds, call up Patterson, Murton, or keep Hoffpauier up once Ward comes back, and get going to that World Series victory.
CF is obviously our problem position. Our options:
1. JIM EDMONDS: I would give him a little while, but that is now 114 AB's of suckitude between here and Iowa. Almost time to move on.
2. FUKU, with HOFFPAIUR or MURTON in RF: Really bad idea. Good idea offensively, but our defense would go from really good in OF to kinda bad.
3. REED all DAY: Not enticing, he's OK offensively, and below average on D, he is really a 4th OF.
4. FELIX: He is the answer. Even if he stinks with the bat, he can really cover ground. We can afford him in the 8th spot.
The answer is PIE in CF, but more than that it is Sweet Lou putting Soriano in check and taking the leadoff spot from him. Part of Pie's struggles is he was dumped in the 8 hole with the freaking pitcher hitting behind him. Now granted we have some good hitting pitchers--but still. He got curve ball aftr curve ball, breaking ball after breaking ball. Put him in the leadoff spot and bump Fukodome to #2. Someone with excellent bat control to protect Pie running. Then put your big boppers of Lee Soriano Ramirez and Soto followed by DeRosa and The Riot. Give Pie a freaking chance and set him up for success this time. When a tough lefty is out there, slide Reed into a spot start.
For those who suggest Cedeno out there, look I'm glad to see he is swinging a hot stick. And I'm sure he would be OK out there. But do we want to have someone out there in CF who is in a new position? I wouldnt want to take a chance of a muff in a crucial situation due to inexperience.
And Lofton??? C'mon....theres a REASON he is not on a team right now people!! No more oldies!!!