Should The Cubs Trade For...?

[CubsWin]

Felix Pie.

 

This is likely just an exercise in "what-if-ing" because, at the moment, I can't see any reason why the O's would be willing to give him up, but...

 

The Cubs are reportedly trying to sign a right-handed OFer to platoon with Fukudome and acquiring Pie wouldn't change that. But the whole reason why they got rid of Felix in the first place was because he was out of options and the thought at the time was that the Cubs didn't have room for him on the 25-man roster. Now, apparently, they do.

 

Pie hit well enough last season (.266/.326/.437) to be a serviceable reserve OFer that could provide superb defense in the late innings and a left-handed bat option in case any of the Cubs starting OFers get injured. At 25, he should continue to improve, as he has done every year for the last three seasons at the major league level (OPSs of .604 in '07, .637 in '08 and .763 in '09).

 

Hendry would have to swallow his pride and likely have to give up something better than Garrett Olsen in order to get him back. But would it be worth it? I'm intrigued by the idea, probably because I never wanted to see him traded in the first place, and since I'm having a hard time taking my emotionalism out of this, I figured I would put it to you.

 

Given a price that wouldn't be too high, the Cubs current OF needs and the prospects they have in the pipeline, is trading for Felix Pie a good idea?

[CubColtPacer]

The Cubs are in a similar situation as last year regarding Pie. They don't have room to carry 5 OF's all year. The 5th OF has to have options left (which is one reason why Gathright couldn't stay on the team for long last year). The Cubs may carry 5 OF's to begin this year, which leaves a bench of Hill, Blanco, Baker, platoon partner, and Fuld. As soon as they want more pop off of the bench or one of the infielders gets hurt for 4-5 days, Fuld will be back in the minors.

 

Pie might have been an option in trade for the open CF spot earlier in the offseason, but the signing of Byrd pretty much eliminates any opening for him.

[Backtobanks]

The Cubs are in a similar situation as last year regarding Pie. They don't have room to carry 5 OF's all year. The 5th OF has to have options left (which is one reason why Gathright couldn't stay on the team for long last year). The Cubs may carry 5 OF's to begin this year, which leaves a bench of Hill, Blanco, Baker, platoon partner, and Fuld. As soon as they want more pop off of the bench or one of the infielders gets hurt for 4-5 days, Fuld will be back in the minors.

 

Pie might have been an option in trade for the open CF spot earlier in the offseason, but the signing of Byrd pretty much eliminates any opening for him.

 

Unless the O's want Fuld in exchange for Pie, I can't see it happening.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Pretty much all the descriptors you used apply to Fuld as well. And his skill set likely lends itself better to success in a part time role.

[CubsWin]

Pretty much all the descriptors you used apply to Fuld as well. And his skill set likely lends itself better to success in a part time role.

Agreed, but Fuld doesn't have the ceiling and is already 28. The point of getting Pie is that he can do what Fuld can do now (minus the OBP ability, but he's improving), and still has the possibility of becoming something like the CFer we thought he once could be.

[CubsWin]

The Cubs are in a similar situation as last year regarding Pie. They don't have room to carry 5 OF's all year. The 5th OF has to have options left (which is one reason why Gathright couldn't stay on the team for long last year). The Cubs may carry 5 OF's to begin this year, which leaves a bench of Hill, Blanco, Baker, platoon partner, and Fuld. As soon as they want more pop off of the bench or one of the infielders gets hurt for 4-5 days, Fuld will be back in the minors.

 

Pie might have been an option in trade for the open CF spot earlier in the offseason, but the signing of Byrd pretty much eliminates any opening for him.

 

Unless the O's want Fuld in exchange for Pie, I can't see it happening.

Yeah, as I stated, this is likely an exercise in futility, but the question was, if Baltimore was open to moving him, would it be a good idea to go after him. Any thoughts?

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Pretty much all the descriptors you used apply to Fuld as well. And his skill set likely lends itself better to success in a part time role.

Agreed, but Fuld doesn't have the ceiling and is already 28. The point of getting Pie is that he can do what Fuld can do now (minus the OBP ability, but he's improving), and still has the possibility of becoming something like the CFer we thought he once could be.

 

He needs at bats to realize that potential. He's not going to get that being our 4th OF, and considering he hasn't really performed at a level above what's expected of Fuld(at the MLB level at least), I don't really see it being a worthwhile endeavor. Plus it's an impossibility considering his history as a Cub.

[biittner77]

The O's like him as a useful fill in for the oft injured Adam Jones. Any trade for Pie would therefore be prohibitively expensive unless it was part of a larger deal like Wells, Colvin, Marshall and Cashner for Markakis and Pie.

[CubsWin]

The O's like him as a useful fill in for the oft injured Adam Jones. Any trade for Pie would therefore be prohibitively expensive unless it was part of a larger deal like Wells, Colvin, Marshall and Cashner for Markakis and Pie.

Well, the Cubs have an oft-injured Soriano, so maybe it would be worth it. :grin: