BaseballHappenings.com

I’d say there is not position battle in all of baseball that is muddled the way the Cubs outfield is. It was early in camp that Lou Piniella went out on a limb and stated that Felix Pie has no room in the Cub’s outfield.

It was last season that Alfonso Soriano was kicking and screaming about moving to the outfield, then he goes out and has a remarkable season with both his bat and his glove too. Yes, folks his glove too. Based on the full array of defensive measures averaged up, Soriano ranked fourth overall in all of baseball with his play in left field. If that blogger’s work is not good enough for you, John Dewan’s ZR ranks Soriano second in NL at LF. His arm is not that bad either, as he ranks sixth overall for LF.

That’s when a classic Lou Piniella moment settles in where he declares Soriano is his center fielder. Well, its probably true with Matt Murton, Jacque Jones, and Soriano there really is no CF in the bunch. Murton ranks pretty well for a LF as well. Jacque Jones is a pretty good RF, though his arm is nothing to write home about. So, with who they have Jones makes sense in RF. With Jones in the lineup, the choice comes down to Murton or Soriano in left. However, I agree that Pie should be in this equation as he has shown that he is the future and he has shown no signs of being fazed so far in Cactus league play.

Now, I haven’t even mentioned Cliffy yet. Cliff Floyd still swings a nice bat. I do question his ability to stay healthy. I guess the Cubs hands are tied with Jacque Jones traded when Pie is ready. But, Pie still remains with the big club, go figure?