Come on, Cubs: Anybody But Jim Edmonds

Really?  Jim Edmonds is about to sign with the Chicago Cubs?  Doesn't that city hate the man?  Didn't their ace pitcher throw at the man?  Hasn't Jim Edmonds been a rival St. Louis Cardinal for years?

I would understand this decision if Jim Edmonds could still produce, but he hasn't in a years, and has hit a whopping .178 so far this season.  Though center field is the one position that the Chicago Cubs could use improvement, their current options of Reed Johnson and Felix Pie are actually better than Jim Edmonds would be.  

The Cubs offense is in good shape. The offense has plenty of pop in it.  They have led the major leagues in runs and OBP for the better part of this season.

Derrek Lee's wrist is fully healed and he is playing like the MVP caliber player he was before the injury.  Rookies Kosuke Fukudome and Geovany Soto are playing great and have really helped the offense.  You know what you get out of sluggers Soriano and Ramirez.  Ryan Theriot is considered the weak link of the offense, and he's hitting .330 so far this year.

So here's my question:  Why not let the kid play?  Why not give Felix Pie a fair shot at the center field job? 

His defense is great, he brings youth and speed to the team, and is another left-handed bat who can provide sneaky power. 

With all of the names I just mentioned that are already in the Cubs offense, there shouldn't be a problem with letting a kid play who plays great defense and brings occasional offense.  In fact, I would think that particular situation would be beneficial for a young guy with less pressure. 

But, like always, Cubs management is abusing a chance with a young player.  I still think it's ridiculous that Rich Hill is in the minors, but that's another story.

I would be shocked if Jim Edmonds was not in every Cub fans top five most hated players list of all time, or at least of recent years. 

I know baseball is about winning and it shouldn't matter who your current players used to play for, but in this case, it is different.  Most Cubs fans didn't like Moises Alou before he came to the Cubs, but then the Cubs embraced him—mainly because he was still good. 

Jim Edmonds, is not.

Is it possible to boo a new player on your team in his first at bat? We will probably find out Thursday afternoon at Wrigley. 

I would not be surprised if Mr. Edmonds gets a rude welcome by the fans who still hate him.  This signing makes no sense, and believe it or not, I hope Edmonds goes 0-35 and gets released quickly. 

We'll see what happens.