29-year-old first baseman/outfielder Micah Hoffpauir on pace to...

When spring training opened nearly six weeks ago, Cubs manager Lou Piniella said Micah Hoffpauir had a good chance of making the final roster as a fifth outfielder and backup first baseman.

[Danforth]

Trade Double-Play Lee and play Hofbauer at first base. Surely other teams need the league-leading double play artist to kill their rallies. Maybe the Phillies will trade their mascot even up.

[Sanguine One]

DLee had a bad year (for him) offensively last year. To think that trend will continue is unlikely imo. His defense is excellent and seen as one of the major reasons for ARam's improvement at 3B.
I'm not saying that Hoff doesn't deserve a roster spot. His bat is lively! His OF defense is suspect at best and he isn't as good as Lee at 1B.
Therefore, you keep both in the short run.

[Bart]

I think Cubs fans have judged Lee too harshly. While it is true he hit into many double plays last year, one must also acknowledge that he probably had more chances than most other number three hitters, The Cubs had a livley offense last season, and it was rare that Lee batted with the bases empty, In his down year, he hit.290 with 20 home runs and 90 RBI's. I would say that he put up some good numbers and helped the team more than he hurt the team, Anyone who wants to just dump Lee from the team has little knowledge about his value to the team,

[macko14]

Put him at first a deal Lee.

[macko14]

It's a defeatist attitude to say he hit into double plays because runners were on base. He should have hit them into gaps and would have led the league in RBIs. If we could get a very good pitcher for Lee I'd say go for it. A fifth starter would be nice.

[Ripsnorter]

And Jake Fox ought to make the team, too. He's a hitter--having a Spring almost as good as Hoffpauir--but he probably won't. Funk-o-dome is hitting his usual .218 in the WBC, about what he hit after last May (.208). His $50 million contract guarantees his roster spot. But Fox will be at AAA Iowa, waiting for a chance to play. Yes, I know Fox can't play center. But Funko can't play at all. Maybe Fox can backup Aram. We need his bat.

[Oak Park Lefty]

I've got a bad feeling about this season already.

[da truth]

29? wow dude give it up time to retire.

[Vince]

If the Cubs were smart they'd try to trade Derek Lee before it becomes well known that he's washed up and start Hoffpauir at first.

[Mel]

Too bad the Hoff wasn't with the Cubs the last 2 years. The Cubs had no power coming off the bench just inconsistent Darryl Ward and way past his prime Cliff Floyd. Cubs wasted a promising young Hoffpauir. Needs to sub for double play DLee whenever possible so the Hoff can make up for lost time.

[Chicago Via Honolulu]

What more does this guy have to do to prove that he is a monster hitter? Either trade him so that he can have a career or play him in Chicago!

[Bart]

macko14 wrote:

It's a defeatist attitude to say he hit into double plays because runners were on base. He should have hit them into gaps and would have led the league in RBIs. If we could get a very good pitcher for Lee I'd say go for it. A fifth starter would be nice.

With 66 extra base hits last season, I would say he did drive the ball in the gap. Doing as you ask will not happen 100% of the time. Lee did it about 30% of the time which is successful in MLB standards. Dumping Lee for a 29 tear old career minor leaguer whose defense is highly suspect would not be a wise move. We already have a fifth starter. Whom do you suggest the Cubs get for Lee in a trade? If Lee is as awful as you claim, will this person's team want to deal? The defeatist attitude is focusing on the negative, and not seeing the whole picture.

[Art]

The people who immediately say "trade Derrek Lee" are absolutely crazy. Lee's defense is invaluable. How many errant throws from the other infielders have been saved by Lee? His defense alone makes him irreplaceable at first base. The guy will will .290 with 20-25 homers and 80-90 rbi's as well. Enough said. Yet everyone wants to sit him for a guy who has less than 100 major league at bats in his career? Makes total sense.

[Hawkeye]

Bart wrote:

<quoted text>
With 66 extra base hits last season, I would say he did drive the ball in the gap. Doing as you ask will not happen 100% of the time. Lee did it about 30% of the time which is successful in MLB standards. Dumping Lee for a 29 tear old career minor leaguer whose defense is highly suspect would not be a wise move. We already have a fifth starter. Whom do you suggest the Cubs get for Lee in a trade? If Lee is as awful as you claim, will this person's team want to deal? The defeatist attitude is focusing on the negative, and not seeing the whole picture.

I don't know where you're coming up with the "highly suspect defense" rap on Hoffpauir. He's Lee's equal at 1st Base and 10 times better than Soriano in the outfield.....and he won't stand up there and take pitches after pitches that are right down Main Street like Lee does. Lee's days as an offensive weapon ended with his broken wrist. If the Cubs can get a couple decent prospects for him, they should pull the trigger. I'd be seeing what the Giants have to offer. Lee would go there in a heartbeat.

[Edward de Vere]

Bench Lee. Start Micah.

Nobody hassles the Hof.

[Ronnie]

On pace to replace Lee

[Truth]

Hawkeye wrote:

<quoted text>
I don't know where you're coming up with the "highly suspect defense" rap on Hoffpauir. He's Lee's equal at 1st Base and 10 times better than Soriano in the outfield.....and he won't stand up there and take pitches after pitches that are right down Main Street like Lee does. Lee's days as an offensive weapon ended with his broken wrist. If the Cubs can get a couple decent prospects for him, they should pull the trigger. I'd be seeing what the Giants have to offer. Lee would go there in a heartbeat.

Baseball dumb! He is not even close to Lee's D and he isnt even equla to Soriano in the OF! Come on! I get you like Hoff but there is a reason he is 29 and has less then 100 ab's in the Majors. And about trading Lee...he has a no-trade clause in his contract. Come on stop thinking with your heart and start thinking with your brain!

[The Truth]

Put Micah at first base, and sit .173 D-Lee on the bench...

[corona]

Hawkeye wrote:

<quoted text>
I don't know where you're coming up with the "highly suspect defense" rap on Hoffpauir. He's Lee's equal at 1st Base and 10 times better than Soriano in the outfield.....and he won't stand up there and take pitches after pitches that are right down Main Street like Lee does. Lee's days as an offensive weapon ended with his broken wrist. If the Cubs can get a couple decent prospects for him, they should pull the trigger. I'd be seeing what the Giants have to offer. Lee would go there in a heartbeat.

Lee's equal at first??? Wow! I like Hoff, but you are dreaming there. Lee has a no trade clause and probably wont be going anywhere. split his time in right, backing up Lee, and pinch hitting. We'll be all right with that.

[corona]

I got totally frustrated watching Lee hit into all them double plays. The fact is that he doesnt intentionally try to do it. I'm going to say it was just some bad luck last year. He led the team in hits, total bases, and even had more runs that Theriot.