Cubs Never Called Torii

I don’t have enough for an odds and ends, so this little tidbit gets its own post today.  Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times learned that the Cubs never put in a call to Torii Hunter’s agent this winter before he signed with the Angels.  Torii’s friend Derrek Lee found this shocking; he could have facilitated some talks. Hunter grew up a Cubs fan because of WGN, like many people outside of Illinois.

The Cubs don’t quite seem sold on Felix Pie as their center fielder, given their interest in Marlon Byrd earlier this year.  He’s had about 200 plate appearances worth of growing pains, and the Cubs apparently want more immediate production.  PECOTA projects a robust .291/.344/.480 line from the 23 year-old this year.