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According to: The Official Site of Chicago Cubs: News: Chicago Cubs News

Road trip: The Cubs are keeping an eye on Felix Pie. Hitting coach Gerald Perry went to see Pie in the Dominican Republic this offseason to outline a specific plan for the outfielder, who batted .215 in 87 games with the Cubs, and hit .362 for Triple-A Iowa.

Pie was hitting .205 through 13 games for Licey. With Monday's trade of Jacque Jones to Detroit, Pie could take over as the Cubs' starting center fielder. He has a career .301 average in the Minor Leagues.

Ryne Sandberg and Bob Dernier also saw Pie on Tuesday. Sandberg and Dernier are spending the week in the Dominican Republic to see some of the Cubs' Minor League prospects, as well as some Winter League games.

"It's fun for them, and the kids enjoy it, knowing they came down to see them on their turf," said Oneri Fleita, the Cubs player development director. "I told Ryno it serves a purpose from an instruction standpoint, because there may come a time when he has to remind them where they came from."

Sandberg, a Hall of Fame second baseman for the Cubs, is coming off his first season as manager, having guided Class A Peoria to a 71-68 record. The Chiefs finished in a three-way tie for first place in the Western Division in the second half. Dernier is the Cubs' Minor League baserunning instructor. In the Dominican, they work out with players during the day and attend games at night.



Sandberg has said he'd like to continue managing, and the Cubs will announce the Minor League assignments next month.

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