Still have eye on Pie (too bad it doesn't rhyme)
The Orioles remain interested in Chicago Cubs outfielder Felix Pie, so don't assume that ship has sailed.
But they won't get him straight-up for pitcher Garrett Olson unless the Cubs can flip Olson to the Padres for Jake Peavy.
And there's the rub.
Some people in the Cubs' organization think a Peavy deal is close. Others say the first priority is finding a left-handed hitting right fielder, which is where manager Lou Piniella wants his club to concentrate. He believes the Cubs have enough pitching, but general manager Jim Hendry wants Peavy.
One person who's seen Pie quite a bit says the young outfielder's strike zone extends "from his toes to his nose." Not much plate discipline, which is a main reason Piniella has soured on him.
I ran into former Orioles catcher Chris Hoiles in the lobby. Well, I walked over and shook his hand. I've seen that guy block the plate enough times to know I shouldn't initiate contact.
Hoiles is expected to return as the York Revolution manager, though he hasn't signed a new contract. The announcement came a little early.
Hoiles enjoys managing the club, but he's exploring other options. He'd love to return to the Orioles in some capacity, perhaps in player personnel - evaluating talent and reporting back to the front office - but hasn't been able to make it happen. In the meantime, being affiliated with the Atlantic League allows him to spend more time with his family. He has three sons, and the oldest plays football in seventh grade.
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Categories (click for archive)Roch Kubatko | Roch Kubatko Orioles |
Roch,
I keep hearing we don't have much of a chance of signing Tex from every media outlet. Is it because we won't spend the money to get a top tier free agent or that he doesn't want to come here?
It seems 3 months ago Tex was quoted as saying a version of "it would be a dream to play for the O's". What changed? I'm guessing it's the Orioles being cheap as usual, but do you have any clarification?
BaltimoreSun.com has become quite boring since you left...
Let's expand the Peavy trade to include Scott. He's not expensive, hits lefty and played rightfield in Houston. Then we might be able to get Pie and a starter from the Cubs, and they'd save enough money to make Peavy more possible. We seem very sour on Olsen and Cabrera, but they took the ball last year, and they could both do it again next year until the better prospects develop. I'm skeptical of trading any pitchers at this point, as outside of guys who have pitched here already (Ponson) or are wrapping up otherwise fine careers (Trachsel) no starter has signed with since the 90s. Why do we think people are all of sudden going to be in a rush to do so? Remember that we're playing with Confederate dollars before we give 400 innings next year, even 400 lousy ones.
Why are we still interested in Pie when we have Scott,Reimold,and Montanez!? We're set in the outfield so there is no use trading a young pitcher, which we need, for an outfielder that we don't need. I can understand trading Olson for a young shortstop like Sean Rodriguez but not for another outfielder.
Pie has 5 tool potential. Most young hitters are undisciplined...I really think we should move on this kid if we can get him. An OF of Pie LF, Jones CF & Markakis RF could be something special...emphasize COULD
Thanks Roch,
JW
Roch,
If you are looking for some local hotspots away from the strip I recommend Stoney's. It is south of the strip. Good times!
I have thought about walking thought the bellagio with my Markakis T-Shirt and O's hat yelling "Sign Nick Now! and Tex Too!" Think that would help? I bet I get 10 feet before I get tackled.
Ravens/O's fan lost in the desert.
Roch wondering if its not too early to give up on olson;his draft staus and triple a numbers suggest he can be effective (think john maine)ecspecially for pie.outfield is one of the few needs on this team
I miss Hoiles. He was an under-rated catcher in his day.
Roch, do you still think anything will happen before midnight? With the trade talks involving Pie, do you think Scott will be traded for a need?
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Nothing is happening before midnight. Scott could be moved in the right deal, but the Orioles aren't looking to unload him. - Roch
Thanks for the Rule 5 info. on a previous post. Now here's a follow up question, that I've posed before: what, if any, thoughts do AM and Co. have regarding Rocco Baldelli? He's 27, pretty much a proven above-average major leaguer (when healthy - understanding how PA feels about signing oft-injured players) and a free agent. I remember watching him for Tampa during his rookie season and the kid can play. If the O's can sign him (probably on the cheap), then why trade for Pie. Let Baldelli, Reimold, Scott and Motanez compete and (hopefully) bring out the best in one another. I don't understand why Baldelli hasn't received more attention / discussion.
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I've never heard him mentioned. The illness is an obvious concern. - Roch
XD23,
Agreed on Hoiles. He was one of my favorites from that team, and from my few interactions with him, a heck of a nice guy on top of it.
Hopefully the O's can find a place for him somewhere in the org.
The Orioles should try including both Olsen and Scott in the trade to the Cubs in the Peavy three way deal. They could work something out where they would get both Pie and Marquis. The Cubs have already made it clear they would get rid of one of their starters if they obtained Peavy.
If were not able to get Tex than would we have a shot at Dunn?
I remember a game about 10-12 years ago on the day one of Chris Hoiles' children was born. He hit a home run in that game and was later ejected. I don't know why I remember that so well. (I'm 23, so I must have been around 10-11 year old.) Always loved Chris.
Ben - Good points. Expand the Pads/Cubs/O's trade to include Scott and maybe we can get Marquis. I don't know if the numbers would work out, but maybe that would be appealing to all involved. With Pie in LF we can move Riemold for a SS or SP - that of course, in a perfect world.
I have a hard time getting rid of Cabrera, but he just might need a change of scenery. That being said, I'm fine putting him back out there as a #5.
And yea, I was/am a Hoiles fan. I still have a signed card of his. All the best to that guy.
Roch, what have you heard about the ramon hernandez-ryan freel deal. Is this thing gonna go down?
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Wouldn't surprise me. It's definitely a match. - Roch
Roch,
I saw a rumor earlier that said the Cubs were gonna dump Cedeno by the end of the week. Can we get him tossed in with Pie for Olson? Why not package Roberts and Scott and get Marquis and Vitters!
Ed in Alaska
Other than Cal, two of the modern players I wish the O's would try to get more involved with the club is B.J. and Hoiles. Both of them knew what it meant to be ball players, and both of them gave everything they had every game.
I still remember the two grand slam game Hoiles had in Cleveland...that was a crazy game.
felix pie i love u because your my uncle