Your newest Oriole: Felix Pie

by SC on Jan 19, 2009 12:19 PM EST in News Comment 17 comments

"Felix, you've been traded to the Orioles!"

I was out of town at a soft open for the new hotel at the Blue Chip Casino, which was fun, and when I got up this morning and put on ESPN in the hotel, I saw this on the ticker.

I was like, "Dangit!"

That's edited for the front page.

There are a few things I have strong feelings on, and one of them happens to be Felix Pie. I don't think he's any good, and I don't think he's ever going to be any good. I'm not sure he ever was any good. He was/is a great tools prospect that lacks a lot of other things. Trading what could have been a serviceable Major League arm for what very well might be a AAA outfielder just doesn't feel good to me, especially for a team so absolutely bereft of pitching that also has a full, competent outfield in place for 2009.

I will root for Felix, of course, to prove me gloriously wrong, but I'm aware I'm hardly the only one here underwhelmed by this, and I'm also not the only one that sees this as an eyebrow-raising case of MacPhail being in love with a certain player.

On the other hand, I could easily say it's never bad to trade an "eh" player like Olson for a guy who was recently regarded as the Cubs' best prospect.

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hmm

at the very least the O’s have one sweet defensive outfield.

But yeah, I’m not really high on Pie either. He of the .665 OPS against left handers in the minors. Too many holes in his game to be a regular at this point. But who knows, he might blossom. Sucks that another pitcher is gone, but Olson had plenty of chances. He will find more success outside the brutal AL East.

by UMterp08 on Jan 19, 2009 12:25 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I would be more excited

If he wasn’t from the cubs and hadn’t been rushed through their system. I guess you just acquire talent and hope for the best. Its funny that last year we couldnt get him for Roberts but now Olson alone does the trick.

"I have seen the future and his name is Matt Wieters." Keith Law

by Reddrummer9187 on Jan 19, 2009 1:03 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

probably more like the O's

wanted Gallagher, Ceda, Marshall and Pie and were offered Murton, Patterson and Cedeno had a lot more to do with that trade not happening.

But getting Pie is a nice add I think.

by sanders833 on Jan 19, 2009 4:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Bereft

My best game plan is to sit on the bench and call out specific instructions like 'C'mon Boog,' 'Get ahold of one, Frank,' or 'Let's go, Brooks.' -Earl Weaver

by Baltimo on Jan 19, 2009 1:29 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Nice

My best game plan is to sit on the bench and call out specific instructions like 'C'mon Boog,' 'Get ahold of one, Frank,' or 'Let's go, Brooks.' -Earl Weaver

by Baltimo on Jan 19, 2009 1:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I bet that was his face when he heard the news

by Timmy L. on Jan 19, 2009 1:33 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

c'mon

Wieters/ Zaunn
Huff
Roberts
Izturis
Mora
Pie
Jones
Markakis
Scott

is a hell of a better lineup (defensively and offensively) than the one last year with Millar, CastroFaheyBynumCintron clusterf*ck, Hernandez, so much so that i think we can take the career 6.00 ERA hit in our starting rotation and deal with a guy like Waters or Bass for a year.

by jared.sager on Jan 19, 2009 2:45 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Yup

And I’m hoping the improved defense helps to mellow out the pitching woes. It would be nice if our pitching was simply bad, instead of awful.

"Whether your name is Gehrig or Ripken, DiMaggio or Robinson, or that of some youngster who picks up his bat or puts on his glove, you are challenged by the game of baseball to do your very best day in and day out. That's all I've ever tried to do."

by spike2131 on Jan 20, 2009 8:52 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Defensively, yeah

But I think its pretty much a push offensively. Wieters/Zaun will hopefully be more productive than Hernandez. But at SS we’re essentially the same, Izturis put up OPS+ of 57, 60, and 67 the last 3 years. And I think it’s going to be tough for Huff and Mora to repeat their performance from last year. Pie/Freel would have to step it up by a large amount to match Millar from last year.

I do think AJ will have a better year at the plate and Nick may give a little more too. But I don’t see this year as an upgrade in offense.

"Hey Yankees... you can take your apology and your trophy and shove 'em straight up your ass!" --Tanner Boyle

by BirdFanInPhilly on Jan 21, 2009 8:48 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Defense

is great but it doesn’t stop walks or home runs.

Always trust your cape. -Guy Clark

by BPinOK on Jan 21, 2009 1:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

sadly...

those izturis ops+ are a substantial upgade over pretty much everybody but cintron and i don’t think i’m alone in the assessment that cintron looked terrible at short.

"When people ask me what my motivation is, I have a simple answer: Money."

--Jerry Reed, on acting

by j.q. higgins on Jan 21, 2009 3:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Orioles got a total of a 50 OPS+ from SS last year. So it could be a modest offensive gain.

"Hey Yankees... you can take your apology and your trophy and shove 'em straight up your ass!" --Tanner Boyle

by BirdFanInPhilly on Jan 21, 2009 4:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Izturis is unquestionably an upgrade

It might not be the one people want, but he can play shortstop and poke enough singles to leave Juan Castro in the dust.

Bad Left Hook
Camden Chat

"I decided to become a basketball fan this year and it’s not working out so well because the Wizards SUUUCK. So then I shifted to hockey. That’s pretty fun except there are a lot of flashing lights and horns and shit at the game."

by SC on Jan 22, 2009 4:30 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Gamble from strength

Yeah, the O’s pitching is weak overall, but they have a bunch of guys who can be serviceable back of the rotation guys. IYou could say they are deep with back of the rotation starters. I’m guessing that management doesn’t think he will ever be better than that. He certainly didn’t show much last year. Pie hasn’t shown much either, but management must believe that the chance of him being Crawford light is better than Olson becoming a top of the rotation guy. I think they’re right.

by uneasy rider on Jan 19, 2009 3:43 PM EST reply actions 0 recs