Trade Target: David DeJesus

[Ben Grimm]

The Cubs are bringing their #1 prospect up today who plays CF. Even though DeJesus has been splitting time between CF & RF, he's more than adequate at center and is only due $4.25M next year. Considering he's a virtual lock for a .350-.360 OPB, I'd have no problem whatsoever in the Phillies making a move for him. Their strength is their pitching in the system, and I'm sure the Cubs would be open to any and all dialogue.

Believe it or not, a DeJesus/Brown 1-2 in the lineup would create many more chances of hitting with runners on base for the middle of the order. Jimmy - love ya, but you need to move to 6.

[philliesfiend55]

The Phillies already have an ideal leadoff hitter and base stealer in Juan Pierre, but they want to see if Brown, Mayberry and Schierholtz can be effective everyday players. It's obvious he's not in their plans for 2013. I think Pierre can still start for half the major league teams. It's better that he moves on because he'll only be a 4th or 5th outfielder with the Phillies.

[Ben Grimm]

I understand your thinking here, but banking on Pierre to be a leadoff hitter can be a longshot. His OBP is balanced heavily by his AVG because he doesn't walk much. When he hits .310, sure he'll have a .350 OBP, but if he slips back (which is likely) to his 2010/2011 numbers, he's a .275-.280 hitter with a .320-.300 OPB gut. that's not good enough. Pierre is no different than Jimmy Rollins or Placido Polanco in that his OBP is directly correlated to his batting average. If he hits well, his OPB will climb. But if one of them aren't hitting - say .230-.250 for the year, the OBP will hang around .290. DeJesus will walk enough and get on base enough to get .350 without taking a breath. This team needs guys who will take pitches and get on base. What's currently here isn't doing it, and they can't be tought having so many ABs under their belts.