Pie Is Rounding Into Form

Felix Pie certainly has had an interesting Spring so far. After coming into camp preparing to battle with Sam Fuld for the starting spot in center field Pie got off to a pretty nice start only to be sidelined by the dreaded testicular torsion injury. After he came back everyone was screaming that the Cubs were about to sign/trade/make up a center fielder to platoon with Pie because he couldn't handle the position himself. Through all this drama Pie has kept working and it has paid off as he raised his Spring average to .340 yesterday with an electric 3-3 game at the plate that included a double, triple and scoring the winning run. THAT is what he has been his entire career in the minor leagues and THAT is what the Cubs are hoping he can bring on a consistent basis this season.

In a game that saw Cubs starter Ryan Dempster struggle and newly turned reliever Jon Lieber do the same, Pie was the constant in the lineup as he was on base all day and scored two runs out of the eighth hole in the batting order. Over the last week or so, Pie has stepped up his game and should leave very few doubts in the minds of the Cubs Organization as to who their primary center fielder should be this season.

Even with Pie playing well, it would behoove the Cubs to go out and pick up a right handed hitting option to play center field whenever Pie needs a rest and they seem to be on the verge of signing for Blue Jays outfielder Reed Johnson. Johnson is kind of a "jack of all trades, master of none" who can help out at all three outfield positions if he stays healthy. He struggled last season in Toronto but has shown an ability to get on base with regularity in his career.


Jack Cobra covers the Cubs, Bulls and sports in general on his blog, Cobra Brigade. He also writes for Yay Sports on Fridays.
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