Okay, they "took" a fast one from the Cubs...
The O's sent lefty Garrett Olson and righty Henry Williamson to the Cubbies for OF Felix Pie and said they plan on Pie being their everyday LF with Luke Scott getting most of his time at DH and Aubrey Huff becoming the primary starter at 1B.
Nice move by the Birds.
I like Pie and think the Cubs gave up on him way too soon. The guy is 23 years-old (turns 24 Feb. 8), he hits for average, has some pop, has plenty of speed, he can throw and he's cheap. Nice combo if you ask me.
The Cubs should have given him a much longer, more consistent look in the big leagues than they did. Here's a guy that hit .300 with 34 HR and 37 SB over 1,123 Triple-A at-bats in his career and he did that at the ages of 21-22-23.
Why give up on that guy?
Well, maybe there is some method to the apparent madness...
The Jake Peavy rumors won't quit and there has been word leaked out over months that indicates Olson could be a guy that interests the Padres. He was awful last season (9-10, 6.65 ERA in 26 big league starts) and probably doesn't have a ton of upside, but a move to Petco Park might turn him into a solid, cheap 4th starter in very short order.
If this leads to a deal that brings Peavy to Chicago then my negative feelings about the Cubs giving up on Pie too soon will be withdrawn.
Either way, this is a great move for Baltimore. Suddenly they have a 3-man OF with tools galore that will provide outstanding defense now and in the future. Also, don't discount Pie as a potential 20-HR guy playing at Camden Yards.
He won't walk much but he'll catch the ball, keep base runners from taking liberties and he'll be a 20-20 threat at some point, IMO.
KW
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Even if the Cubs end up with Peavy and this deal is part of it, I will hate how the Cubs processed the deal. No team should open themselves up to embarassment like the Cubs do. Let Wood go, trade Marquis, Pie and Derosa. Cub fandom is pissed because MB is not enough. Now we are left to hope that it's part of a bigger deal - that's how we justify our confusion! If it is the case, what if the Padres or some other team part of a big deal say - ha, we just tricked you into blowing 2009! That wouldn't make sense so it cannot be true. A first year GM wouldn't open themselves up to that much risk. The real reason is he thinks the Cubs are getting better by making these moves because he blows. I can't wait until the new owner tosses him on the street.
ReplyDeleteIt feels to me like the Peavy deal is going to happen pretty soon. Olson was a rumored piece of the Peavy deal during the meetings, and now the Cubs acquire him, right around the time when the sale of the team is being finalized. Granted, Pie was out of options, and the Cubs do have a 5th starter vacancy, so I guess you can take this move at face value.
ReplyDeleteOther signs point toward Peavy, though. Dumping DeRosa and Marquis's salaries just to add Bradley and Gregg seems excessive, but it's a little more pardonable if you're adding Peavy's salary as well. Also, from a PR standpoint, what better way could a new owner create a strong first impression than by showing up with Jake Peavy in hand?
Obviously, this is all circumstantial evidence, but I would bet that Peavy is a Cub, and sooner rather than later.
...And now I look dumb. Oh well, it's not the first time, and it won't be the last.
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