Pie runs out of options with Cubs

Felix Pie is no longer a Chicago Cub. Pie was out of options and if he didn’t make the roster out of spring training, he would become a free agent. It looked doubtful that Pie, the once highly praised prospect, would make the club. This came evident when they signed Joey Gathright who is the same type of player as Pie, but Pie had more potential.

The Cubs traded him today for two pitchers, left-hander Garrett Olson and right-hander Henry Williamson. Olson is 25 years old year and was a rookie last year. As a rookie he went 9-10 with a 6.65 ERA. In his minor league career he was 12-10 with a 2.96 ERA in 71 career Minor League appearances.

Olson will either be used as trade bait or will battle for Marshall for the 5th spot in the rotation. The other candidates for the 5th spot are Angel Guzman and Jeff Samardzija. If we keep Olsen this mean we will have at least one lefty in the bullpen besides for Neal Cotts who is very inconsistent.

I think Olson will be traded though. The road blocks in the Jake Peavy trade was Jason Marquis contract, and not enough pitching prospects. We received pitching prospects from trading Pie and DeRosa. Thus, those obstacles are no longer in the way. As long as Kevin Towers the GM of the Padres doesn’t demand to many prospects including Sean Marshall, Josh Vitters, and all the other prospects we just got in the trades this off season. We will see what happens.