Au Revoir, Jacque!

By Benjy Lipsman in News on Nov 13, 2007 2:33PM

The Cubs finally traded maligned outfielder Jacque Jones on Monday, sending him along with $2 million to Detroit for utility infielder Omar Infante.

A slow start to the 2006 season after signing a 3-year, $16 million deal to join the Cubs caused the fans to sour quickly on Jones. He became the next "Corey Patterson" -- which Chicagoist predicted the day he signed -- and the target for relentless taunting by the fans in the Wrigley bleachers.

Cubs GM Jim Hendry tried to trade Jones last winter, and there were a couple seemingly imminent deals that fell through as the trading deadline approached. Ironically, Jones's hot second half (.332 batting avg. after the All-Star break) was one of the keys that propelled the Cubs into the playoffs.

While the Cubs believe they have enough depth in center field with Felix Pie, prospect Sam Fuld and perhaps even Ronny Cedeno, the Cubs will now need to replace Jones's left handed bat in the lineup. And Cubs fans will have to find the next target of their drunken taunts.

Photo by John Gress/Reuters