According to cubs.com, the Cubs are closing in on free agent outfielder Joey Gathright. Gathright, who hit .254 in 105 games for the Royals last season, played for Piniella in Tampa and would give the Cubs a speedy, versatile bench player. Gathright has shown flashes of success, and getting the 27-year old back with his first manager could have a huge impact.
However, bringing in Gathright does not bode well for Felix Pie, a similar type player with more upside. The Cubs reportedly have a very high asking price for Pie, and they know by putting him back in Triple-A, where he has already proven himself, would give them no leverage in trade negotiations down the road.