With Signing of Pie, Orioles Lineup All But Set

Today, the Baltimore Orioles traded young pitchers Garrett Olson and Henry Williamson to the Chicago Cubs for coveted left fielder Felix Pie. The signing helps the O's not only because it gets Olson out, who was miserable last year (9-10, 6.65), but it also makes the lineup all but set.

 

Last year, Olson was horrible. He showed promise at times, but all big-league caliber pitchers show promsise. The trade also makes it obvious that a Jake Peavy to the Cubs deal is back on the table. The Cubs have no interest in Olson, nor do they have any in Williamson. It's quite possible that Olson will be traded again—but this time, possibly to the Padres.

 

Pie was the No. 1 prospect in the Cubs organization in both 2006 and 2007. Pie, 23, hit .285 in Triple A Iowa and hit .241 in 43 games with the Chicago Cubs last year. In 699 minor league games, he's hit .299. It is likely the O's will sign another starting pitcher via free agency and it just got harder for Lou Montanez, Oscar Salazar and Nolan Reimold to start the year on the active roster. The O's are also in need at first base. The team has shown interest in Ty Wigginton, who can play first or third. With the Houston Astros last season, Wigginton hit .285 with 23 home runs and 58 RBI.

 

The signing of Pie solidifies an already scary young outfield that contains the new acquisition in left field, Adam Jones in center field and Nick Markakis in right field. Markakis is close to signing a six-year extension. Andy MacPhail was thrilled to get him. "We're delighted to have him," MacPhail said. "He's young and athletic, and he's a plus runner and plus defender with a plus throwing arm. We think he's going to hit, and we're going to give him the opportunity to play."In two short appearances in the majors, Pie has three home runs, 30 RBI and has a .223 batting average, but that can be attributed to the fact that he has never had 200 at bats in a season.

 

With his potential, he could make an impact in the majors. And he's only 23 years old. Pie, of course, will have to earn a starting spot. But, for now, it's his job to lose. Luke Scott hit just .210 with runners in scoring position and Montanez is almost 30 in his first full season in the majors. Also, Scott will play mostly designated hitter next season. That means Aubrey Huff will play first base and Kevin Millar appears on his way out of Baltimore.

 

The O's seemed sorry but confident to part with Olson. "Were sorry to have to part with him," said MacPhail of Olson. "Obviously, it's not an area that we have a lot of depth in, but we think that may change as the season progresses. It's just a situation where we have to give something up in order to get something we need."Henry Williamson, a 14th round draft pick in 2007, was 0-1 with a 3.72 ERA at Single A Aberdeen last year. In my opinion, Pie's potential will be shown if he gets more playing time.

 

Cubs GM Jim Hendry seemed happy to have Olson. "We felt we had a chance to add some pitching here," Hendry said. "You can't have enough people in the mix. The left-hander [Olson] is an interesting guy. He probably was a little quick to the big leagues last year. If he was with us here, he would've been in [Triple-A] Iowa."

 

The signing makes sense for the O's. It makes a flat-out SCARY outfield filled with young talent. They have three former No. 1 prospects in the outfield with Nick Markakis (2006 O's No. 1 prospect), Adam Jones (2007 Mariners No. 1 prospect) and Pie (2006 and 2007 Cubs No. 1 prospect). It's clear Andy MacPhail is true to his word of rebuilding. While it might puzzle some that they gave up two young pitchers, the O's got younger in the lineup—something they needed. And left field was puzzling O's fans. Luke Scott and Luis Montanez aren't the ideal options. Felix Pie is. He has potential through the roof and all he needs is considerable playing time. He couldn't get that if he was backing up Alfonso Soriano, one of the most powerful left fielders in all of baseball.

 

Also, the Orioles now have four men in the starting lineup under 30, compared to just two last season. And it could be five if Reimold or Montanez play DH instead of Scott, which, honestly, I prefer. It makes the Orioles lineup pretty potent and the team would have five or six under 30 when Matt Wieters comes up, which could be in late April or early May. But for now, the lineup is very good. It consists of Gregg Zaun, Aubrey Huff, Brian Roberts, Cesar Izturis, Melvin Mora, Felix Pie, Adam Jones, Nick Markakis and Luke Scott.

 

Now, MacPhail must sort out his problems in the rotation. He's got to announce who is the fourth and fifth starter. I am a heavy supporter of David Pauley and Chris Waters. However, I'm not in charge. There are probably some things I don't know about the team that MacPhail and manager Dave Trembley have seen and I haven't. But from my observation, I go with Pauley and Waters at the back end of the rotation.

 

 

I have to be impressed with this offseason. The O's have made three trades and picked up four young, potent position players along with future No. 3 starter Rich Hill. They have picked up two veteran pitchers via free agency. Baltimore has finally gotten rid of disgruntled catcher Ramon Hernandez. The O's made huge moves by re-signing Markakis and filling a hole at catcher by signing Gregg Zaun. The O's have also picked up shortstop Cesar Izturis via free agency. Andy MacPhail also got free agent Chris Gomez to answer some questions at first base. They also invited two veteran catchers to camp: Robbie Hammock and Chad Moeller.

 

For next year, the lineup is potent and the rotation is mostly youngsters and has plenty of potential. Now I know we've heard that in the past. We heard it last year. However, the three, four and five spots in the rotation are going to be a lot better then last year with the likes of Adam Loewen (0-2, 8.02), Steve Trachsel (2-5, 8.39) and Brian Burres (7-10, 6.04). This year, if it were up to me, the three-four-five spots would be occupied by Hill, Pauley and Waters. It all depends on spring training performance from the three. And Orioles fans: the Oriole Way is back, it's just not here yet.

 

Orioles blogger Roch Kubatko said this should remind O's fans of the days where the outfield was occupied by Steve Finley, Mike Deveraux and Brady Anderson. It's certainly better then Luis Matos, Larry Bigbie and Tim Raines, Jr. In fact, the outfield the O's have has to be considered for the best young outfield trio.

 

There are three young Gold Glove caliber fielders, three potential .300 hitters and three potential All Stars. Markakis is the brightest of the three and has the most credentials, but Jones was certainly impressive last year and Pie should be good when the opportunity presents itself—2009.

 

Something must be said of the job MacPhail has done the last two seasons. He has filled the lineup with potential and the rotation, as well. In 2004, the lineup was as follows: Javy Lopez catching, Rafael Palmeiro at first base, Brian Roberts at second, Miguel Tejada at short, Melvin Mora at third base, Larry Bigbie, Luis Matos and Jay Gibbons from left to right in the outfield and B.J. Surhoff DH'ing. I'm not about to sit here and say that's not a scary lineup—it is.

 

The O's have always had good lineups, but it's the pitching that has killed them. In that '04 season, the O's only good pitcher was Rodrigo Lopez. Other starters included Sidney Ponson (11-15, 5.30), Daniel Cabrera (12-8, 5.00), Erik Bedard (6-10, 4.59) and Eric DuBose (4-6, 6.39). Note: none of those pitchers are still on the team. Not the four bad ones, not Lopez. Lopez is on the Rockies, Cabrera is on the Nationals, Ponson is a free agent, Bedard is on the Mariners and DuBose is also a free agent, out of a job.

 

The O's have a rotation of guys could be in Baltimore for years. Guthrie is a true rising star in Major League Baseball, despite being 30 years of age. Mark Hendrickson and Koji Uehara won't be in Baltimore too long. Hendrickson signed a one-year deal and Uehara signed a two-year deal with the O's. However, they could provide the veteran presence and mentor the young pitchers and give them some pitching education.

 

Also, the O's have plenty of young pitchers in the minors who could be very, very good. For starters, there's of course Chris Tillman, David Hernandez, Brad Bergesen, Hayden Penn, Brian Matusz, Jason Berken and Radhames Liz. Tillman was invited as a non-roster invitee while Hernandez, Bergesen, Penn, Matusz and Liz are on the 40-man roster.

 

I think the O's are the Tampa Bay Rays of the future. They have some talented young pitching, a potent lineup, a great farm system and have made some good moves. The addition of Pie gives the Orioles a good left handed bat, speed and defense—something they don't have. And when Nolan Reimold comes up, it becomes all the more elite. And it also helps the Orioles relationship with the Dominican Republic. Pie is a La Romana, DR native.