Juan Pierre Trade Speculation Just Pie in the Sky

Cubs manager Dusty Baker insists the Chicago Cubs still have time to play their way back into contention, so it seems unlikely the team would trade disappointing center fielder Juan Pierre to the crosstown rival White Sox. Though speculation about the trade is rife, and the White Sox have a glaring need for a center fielder with rookie Brian Anderson's pending demotion to AAA Charlotte, the Cubs have no one to replace Pierre. Highly touted prospect Felix Pie, 21, projects as a potential center fielder, but is at least one, even two or more years away from serious consideration for promotion to a fulltime job in Chicago. Mindful of the Corey Patterson disaster, the front office is determined to avoid rushing Pie from AAA DeMoines, where he is hitting only .260.