Sources: Cubs trade CF Pie to Orioles by Ken Rosenthal
Updated: January 18, 2009, 2:15 PM EST
The chances of Felix Pie becoming a fixture for the Cubs in center field are over.
The Cubs have reached agreement with the Orioles on a deal that will send Pie to Baltimore for left-hander Garrett Olson and Class A right-hander Henry Williamson, according to major-league sources.
Pie, rated the Cubs' No. 1 prospect by Baseball America in 2007, has yet to prove he can hit in the majors, batting .223 with a .284 on-base percentage in 287 career plate appearances.
Olson, the 48th overall pick in the 2005 draft, could fit for the Cubs as a middle reliever if lefty Sean Marshall moves into the team's rotation.
The Padres wanted Olson as part of a three-team trade for Jake Peavy earlier this off-season, and could ask for him again from the Cubs if those talks revive.
Olson, 25, is 10-13 with a 6.87 ERA in 33 major-league starts, but probably needed more seasoning before the Orioles promoted him to the majors in 2006.
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I was sorry to see this, Lex. It's a kick in the teeth to see your favorite prospect traded. I still feel bad about the Yankees trading Jose Tabata to the Pirates last summer. He wasn't my favorite prospect, but he was in my top 4. It stings.