http://www.sbnation.com/users/Seamer Posts made by Seamer on SB Nation http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2007/4/18/51633/0211 Seamer Wed, 18 Apr 2007 09:16:33 -0000 <p>The outfield defense has been abysmal. &nbsp;Floyd is slow; Soriano is far from comfortable; teams run on Jones with impunity; and Murton is average.</p><p>This won't do the pitching staff any favors.</p><p>Hit or not, Pie greatly improves the defense, especially if he's in center.</p><p>The issue then becomes what to do with Soriano. &nbsp;As this would happen on the fly, I'd put him in left, where he's played before. &nbsp;That means you have Floyd/Jones/Murton to play right. &nbsp;</p><p>We know what we get with Jones in right, and I don't think Murton would be any worse. &nbsp;Floyd has limited time in right, the last significant time being five years ago, but at least he's played there before, unlike Soriano. &nbsp;And earlier in his career, he had respectable OF assist numbers (granted, in left), so unless his arm is as bad as his legs these days, it's not the worst fit.</p><p>Offensively, giving Pie the bulk of the time will make the lineup heavily right-handed. &nbsp;Some of this could be mitigated by spotting Jones, Floyd, or Pagan if Jones or Floyd is traded, against tough RH starters and shifting Soriano to CF.</p><p>Under the Pie scenario, it's very difficult to keep Floyd and Jones because there won't be enough playing time. &nbsp;Neither is suited for PH duty so Ward seemingly has to stay. &nbsp;</p><p>If Jones is dumped, the specter of Floyd's injuries comes into play because you lose your one lefty slugger in the lineup. &nbsp;Murton isn't terrible vs. righties, so this has got to be better than trading Floyd and relying on Jones, who had his peak year last season and who it's unreasonable to believe will all of a sudden learn how to be patient and walk.</p><p>From what I've seen, there are fewer problems with putting Pie in center than there are keeping the status quo.</p><p>I look forward to all your thoughts.</p> <fieldset class="poll-box"> <legend>Poll</legend> <h5 class="poll-title">IF Pie stays in the lineup to shore up the defense, which domino falls?</h5> <div id="poll_container_8307_1214656213" class="poll_container"> <div class="poll_option clearfix"> <div class="poll_option_percentage" style="display:none">5%</div> <div class="poll_option_result"> <h5>Floyd traded</h5> <div class="poll_option_bar"><span class="vote_count">1</span> votes</div> </div> </div> <div class="poll_option clearfix"> <div class="poll_option_percentage" style="display:none">55%</div> <div class="poll_option_result"> <h5>Jones traded</h5> <div class="poll_option_bar"><span class="vote_count">11</span> votes</div> </div> </div> <div class="poll_option clearfix"> <div class="poll_option_percentage" style="display:none">30%</div> <div class="poll_option_result"> <h5>Ward traded</h5> <div class="poll_option_bar"><span class="vote_count">6</span> votes</div> </div> </div> <div class="poll_option clearfix"> <div class="poll_option_percentage" style="display:none">5%</div> <div class="poll_option_result"> <h5>Keep them all and let Pinella figure it out</h5> <div class="poll_option_bar"><span class="vote_count">1</span> votes</div> </div> </div> <div class="poll_option clearfix"> <div class="poll_option_percentage" style="display:none">5%</div> <div class="poll_option_result"> <h5>Soriano in right</h5> <div class="poll_option_bar"><span class="vote_count">1</span> votes</div> </div> </div> <p class="poll-total-votes"><strong>20</strong> votes | <span class="poll-has-closed">Poll has closed</span> </p> </div> <script> FastInit.addOnLoad(function(){ new SBN.Poll('poll_container_8307_1214656213').animateResults({renderImmediately:true}); }); </script> </fieldset>