Here is the video of Felix Pie doing to Ken Griffey, Jr. what Griffey himself has done to others a few times over his career -- robbing him of a home run -- in the Cubs' 5-3 loss to the Cincinnati Reds last night.

Joe Aiello at View from the Bleachers presents some interesting bits of information on the Cubs from Bill James' new book. Specifically, Alfonso Soriano's free-swinging ways and Felix Pie's excellent baserunning.

The Cubs traded Felix Pie's possible centerfield platoon partner, Angel Pagan, to the New York Mets today for minor leaguers right-handed pitcher Ryan Meyers and outfielder Corey Coles. Pagan was the one player on the Cubs roster who allowed the Cubs to avoid playing Pie against left-handed pitching. It's now Pie's job, and his alone.

Angel Pagan has colitis and is heading to the disabled list. Taking his spot is Felix Pie, up with the big league club for the third time this season, reports MLB.com. The Cubs now have four lefthanded hitting outfielders -- Pie, Jacque Jones, Cliff Floyd, and Eric Patterson. Expect to see Mark DeRosa in the outfield a lot more. The Cubs ought to insert Matt Murton as the everyday left fielder. Pie could be the everyday center fielder, too, with Jones and Floyd battling for playing time in right.

As bad as Jones has been this year, he's been a better hitter than Floyd since the beginning of July (770 OPS v. 690 OPS). Floyd, two years removed from a 34-homer season, has seen much of his power disappear. Jones also plays much better defense.

Pagan's illness is bad news for the reason that either Pie or Jones will now be starting in center field against lefthanded pitchers.

The Cubs are still at eleven pitchers. Lou Piniella said before tonight's game they will be back up to twelve for tomorrow night's game, reports MLB.com. Piniella also said that Felix Pie and his 648 OPS are here to stay. Jacque Jones is still on the roster, but he is not playing. Whoever wants him can have him tomorrow, it appears.

Felix Pie went 4-for-4 in the Iowa Cubs' 7-2 win yesterday, the ICubs' third in a row. Pie hit his 4th triple and 3rd homer of the year. He is now hitting .406/.467/.604 for Iowa on the year.

The Cubs have recalled OF Angel Pagan from AAA Iowa and sent Felix Pie back down to Iowa. With both Jacque Jones and Felix Pie hitting from the left side, the Cubs lacked a platoon partner for Jones in center and regular playing time for Pie. Pagan, a switch-hitter, gives them the platoon partner. He's in today's starting lineup against Pirates' lefthander Paul Maholm.

But is Pagan a good platoon partner for Jones, assuming that's the way the Cubs use him (along with, presumably, as a late inning defensive replacement)?

In a very thought provoking article in today's Sun-Times, staff reporter Gordon Wittenmeyer notes that all the money spent has not created a cohesive team form either the offensive or defensive perspective. See: http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/360635,CST-SPT-gordo27.article

One question I have is whether there should not be an even bolder change in the field. Why not put Alfonso Soriano back into a second-baseman role? That could give Cliff Floyd playing time, keep Pie around, and let Murton fight it out with Jones and Derosa for right. Keep Theriot playing as long as he is hitting. Izturis and Jones could be traded, for that matter.

Just a thought. Soriano might feel relieved to be back at second and start hitting.

The Cubs have outscored their opponents 58-50 this season, but are only 5-8. That is because, after yesterday's 4-3, 14 inning loss to the San Diego Padres, the Cubs are 0-5 in games decided by 1 or 2 runs.

What really made yesterday's game exciting was a glimpse of the future, Felix Pie. Though just 1-for-6 (and though he saw just 20 pitches in those 6 at-bats), the one hit was a line drive into the left-center gap for a run scoring double. The electricity came in the top of the 10th, though, when he threw a no-hop rope to cut down Russell Branyan at the plate, keeping the game tied. I originally heard the play on the radio. Pat and Ron were resolved that the hit was going to lead to a run. Then Pat's voice level rose. Then the crowd erupted. That jolt of energy obviated any need for some additional afternoon coffee. After seeing the replay on MLB.TV later last night, it was impressive to note how quickly Pie closed on the ball before he picked it up.

http://tinyurl.com/276pc4

Is Pie really ready? Phil Rogers seems to think he is. Now anyone who has ever read anything that I have ever written on Yahoo regarding most anything written by Phil Rogers already knows that I think he is a drunk and a drug addict, but even the blind squirrel finds an acorn once in a while, and Rogers' idea is not completely without merit.

PECOTA projects Floyd at .265/.344/.461 next season. Those numbers could be even better if Lou Piniella severely limits Floyd's at-bats against left handed pitching. For each of the past five seasons, Floyd's OPS against righties has been at least 100 points higher than his OPS against lefties.

UPDATE (9:20pm): Contract details, courtesy of the AP:

Baseball Analysts' Bryan Smith has posted his top 75 prospects list, and the two Cubs with food product last names (at least if you ignore pronounciation) make an appearance: Felix Pie at #34 and Donald Veal at #47. (Hat tip: The Detroit Tiger Weblog.) Just two players -- and no honorable mentions -- is a bit disappointing. It's a good thing the Cubs have money to burn.

More indications that Felix Pie has a good chance of leaving spring training this year as the Cubs' starting center fielder. (See also "Is Pie the Man in Center?") MLB.com reports:

The Cubs will have their first full-squad workout in one month. Hendry isn't finished yet.

"In a perfect world, I'd like to tinker with the outfield," Hendry said. "We have a very solid group. We're counting on our young kid, Felix Pie, being a factor, whether it's Opening Day or down the road shortly after. When you get out your wish list, you can't make it all about buying new players. You want to have your own guys develop, too."

Additionally, Player Development Director Oneri Fleita says that Pie "will be given a chance to come in and have some fun. Let's see what happens."

It appears that the Cubs will not expect Pie to hit much. MLB.com also quotes Fleita as saying, "In this lineup, we don't need him to hit, we need his defense."

Indications are they wanted to have a spot ready for top prospect Felix Pie. If Pie is ready for the big time, the $6 million would have been poorly spent and Lofton would have been unhappy on the bench. If Pie isn't ready, then the problem may be addressed in spring training. The Cubs' options would be to start Angel Pagan in center, or even Jones. And newcomer Alfonso Soriano could play there if Pie seems to be a long way off, which the Cubs don't believe is the case.