Goodbye Felix Pie, Hello Future

Brian Kersey/AP

Sunday, the Cubs traded away once prized prospect Felix Pie. Pie joined the Cubs as an undrafted free agent in 2001 and played his first game in the Majors in 2007. Pie was once thought of as the best prospect in the Cubs system, but never really lived up to his potential at the Major League level.

Pie is only 23 but the Cubs just couldn’t wait. He was out of options, so they Cubs either had to keep him on the Major League roster or allow some other team to sign him. They weren’t going to make that mistake. I think the Cubs viewed him as a AAAA player. Someone who excels at AAA but just can’t hack it in MLB.

That’s not the Cubs problem anymore, it’s time for the Orioles to worry about that. The Orioles gave up left handed pitcher Garrett Olson and pitching prospect Henry Williamson. Olson started 26 games for the Orioles and went 9-10 with a 6.65 ERA. I don’t think he’ll crack the Cubs starting rotation, but he does add a lefty to the bullpen.

It’s a curious move for the Orioles though. Just last off-season, they traded their ace Erik Bedard to the Mariners for their top centerfield prospect Adam Jones. The Orioles outfield is pretty clogged as it is. Now they add Pie to the mix. The Orioles continue to run a very strange ball club.

I think this will prove to be a good move by Jim Hendry and the Cubs. I haven’t been in love with Pie, and they had to get something for him. Now we’ll see what happens to Angel Guzman.