Fox Sports Ken Rosenthal has reported that the Orioles have traded Garrett Olson for Felix Pie — a player that Andy MacPhail has always coveted.
The Cubs have reached agreement with the Orioles on a deal that will send Pie to Baltimore for left-hander Garrett Olson and Class A right-hander Henry Williamson, according to major-league sources.
Pie, rated the Cubs’ No. 1 prospect by Baseball America in 2007, has yet to prove he can hit in the majors, batting .223 with a .284 on-base percentage in 287 career plate appearances.
Olson, the 48th overall pick in the 2005 draft, could fit for the Cubs as a middle reliever if lefty Sean Marshall moves into the team’s rotation.
The Padres wanted Olson as part of a three-team trade for Jake Peavy earlier this off-season, and could ask for him again from the Cubs if those talks revive.
It goes without saying, most fans think this trade might pay-off for the Orioles if Pie ever reaches his potential as a major leaguer. Olson, who has shown some flashes of brilliance with Baltimore probably won’t be starting in Chicago, unless it is at the tail end of the rotation.
Olson is good pitcher if he’s on a locates his pitches, but he can be hit hard if he doesn’t have his command. It sucks that he has been traded; however, sometimes you have to deal in order to get where you want to be.
On the other hand, Pie is loaded with skill; however, he’s not had a chance to harness it in Chicago. He’s spent a good amount of time in the minors, and if Pie finds himself in Baltimore, he’ll give the Orioles a load of talent in the outfield. Seems like once again, we’ve had our annual trade with Chicago, but this time, it could pay off great dividends down the line if Pie ever can live up to the hype.
