The Baltimore Orioles traded ineffective starting pitcher, Garrett Olson, to the Chicago Cubs for Felix Pie (see story here). Clearly, Lou Piniella prefers veterans and lost patience with Pie, who has yet to make the transition from Minor League Player of the Year (2005, 2006) to major league hitting. The Cubs received a couple more arms and the Orioles have what could be a good player if Pie can figure out MLB pitching.
The acquisition also moves a bunch of Orioles around. Luke Scott, last year's left fielder, will move to designated hitter. Last year's designated hitter, Aubrey Huff, will move to first base. Last year's starting center fielder, Ryan Freel, moves to a platoon in left with Pie.
The Scott to DH move is best for both the player and the team as Scott is not that fleet a fielder. The addition to Pie to an outfield that already includes the burner, Adam Jones, in center field, and star-in-the-making, Nick Markakis, in right. In theory, this gives the Orioles a terrific fielding outfield.
Many feel that Pie just needs to play regularly to get a chance to show he has star potential. Piniella was never going to give him that chance. If the platoon comes to fruition for the Orioles, Pie should get plenty of at bats as he would be the lefty end of the platoon, and there are many more right handed pitchers than the other way around. Freel is a decent bat, but lacks pop, and will only get occasional time in the platoon.
It's hard to know what the Cubs will get out of Olson (see bio here). The lefthander had great stats in the minor leagues but has been terrible in parts of two seasons with the Orioles. Olson has started 33 games for the Orioles over those two years and is 10-13 with an ERA of 6.87 {{shiver}}. He has averaged exactly five innings per start. Olson has been a bullpen exhauster for the Orioles since his debut in 2007. Just to give an indication of his ineffectiveness, he has allowed 300 base runners to reach safely in 165 big league innings {{shudder}}.
Perhaps Olson will fare better in Chicago. Henry Williamson (not to be confused with the English author), is a 23 year old right hander who stands six foot, five inches. The news stories didn't mention much about him, but after doing some digging, he is a former 14th round draft pick who has done pretty well in his minor league assignments to date (see here). He seems to miss a lot of bats and after making a few starts his first year in the minor leagues, seems to be grooming for a career in relief.
By all accounts, Pie is a good kid and a hard worker. Hopefully, he will get his chance with the Orioles and make the most of it.
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