Tagged: Felix Pie

Pie to O’s for Olson

Last week, I reported that Felix Pie and Rich Hill were running out of time to plead their case to the team. Pie’s time ran out Sunday when the organization traded him to the Baltimore Orioles for left-handed starter Garrett Olson and minor league righty Henry Williamson.

Olson will get some starts in the spring with the possibility of becoming the fith starter in the Cub’s organization.

The move on Pie was in part because he was out of options if he didn’t make the team during spring training.

Hill, Pie time’s a runnin’ out

The once hearlded centerfielder Felix Pie and picther Rich Hill days are number as Chicago Cubs if they cannot pull their act together. Both players out out of options both in the bigs, and in general.

On Wednesday, Cubs GM Jim Hendry made it clear that the team will not wait for Pie and Hill to figure out how to play in the big leagues.

With the addition of Joey Gaithright, Pie’s days are numbered as a Cub.

 

DeRo for Peavy?

In looking at the latest Jake Peavy to Cubs trade news, I’m a bit confused about why people have such an attachment to Mark DeRosa. Now, don’t get me wrong. DeRo did a great job for the Cubbies in 2008, and was part of the reason why they won the division. But let’s be honest about this, despite  his career year he still had boughts when he was hot and cold.

This is the way I look at it: you need to build your team according to your needs. You have Ryan Theriot and Mike Fontenot who can play third and second. If you keep Cedeno, that allows you to give Theriot and Fontenot and day off. The outfield situation is a bit more precarious. You need a lefty bat in the outfield. It looks like the Cubs have set their sights on Milton Bradley. (They were also looking at him last year before they signed Fukudome.)

Hitting alone won’t get you to the World Series. The still have a weak spot in the rotation with Jason Marquis and never knowing which one is going to show up that game. You need another starting. Peavey is a good match and he wants to come Chicago and play in Chicago. Unlike Marquis who moaned and groaned all last season about playing in Chicago.

In order to get Peavy, they’re going to possibly have to give up their #1 draft pick from 2007–Josh Vitters, among other players (one of whom is Felix Pie).

 

In my book, it’s a good trade.

Cubs add veteran lefty to roster; Pie sent down

When the Friars cut Jim Edmonds loose last weekend, talk immediately turned to the Cubs who are in dire need of a left-handed bat in the line-up. Late Wednesday, it became official. Former St. Louis Cardinal and former San Diego Padres center fielder, Jim Edmonds signed with the Cubs.

To make room for the move, the Cubs optioned a struggling Felix Pie to Triple-A Iowa.

Now, there’s going to be a lot grumbling about going for a guy who’ll be 38 in a couple of months. Going for a guy who’s having a rough start. Going for a guy who’s injured. However, I see this as a bonus for the Cubs.

One, they’re getting a veteran player who’s been a Cub killer at Wrigley. Ywo, he’s a left-handed bat. Right now, the Cubs only have Fukudome. Edmonds brings his ability to hit (and his bat is showing signs of waking up) and good, solid fielding ability. This is a chance for the Cubs to get someone now before the season gets deeper when the pickings might not be as good.

I look forward to seeing Edmonds in Cubbie blue. He could start in Thursday’s finale against the Padres.

The Cubs still hold a one-game lead over the Cardinals in the NL Central. The Cubs are 6-4 in the last ten games.

Former Cub Greg Maddux starts on the mound for the Padres. Ryan Dempster is looking for his 5th win for the Cubs. Game time is 2:20 Eastern.

Pie powers Cubs to win in 15

Felix Pie came through bigtime for the Cubs in the top of the 15th with a two-out, two-run game winning single.

Ryan Dempster pitched seven solid innings, allowing only one hit, walking two and striking out five. What is more remarkable is that he allowed only one baserunner to get to the second and he retired 20 of the last 21 hitters he faced. He did not, get the win, however thanks to closer Kerry Wood’s failure to close the game out.

The Cubs are now 2-1 in extra inning games and have moved to 5-3 on the season.

The Cubs go for the sweep tonight at 7 E.T. Rich Hill faces off against Matt Morris.