An Orioles trade possibility with a twist

This is natural.  What happened to poor Felix isn't. 

The Baltimore Sun is reporting that the Orioles are involved in discussions to trade Garrett Olson as a part of a three way deal with San Diego and Chicago. Reports are now surfacing that the O's rejected a trade offer of starting pitcher Olson for San Diego shortstop Khalil Greene. Check out more on Greene here.

Now it appears that the O's may instead trade Olson as the third team in a deal that would send San Diego ace Jake Peavy to Chicago. The O's would ship Olson to sunny San Diego. In exchange, Chicago left fielder Felix (nicknamed “The Cat”) Pie would be sent to Baltimore.

This is a rather odd maneuver. Olson, 25, looked pretty bad pitching against the AL East in 2008, so it's no surprise that the birds would consider moving him, but why would they do so for another left fielder rather than a shortstop? There are currently 0 shortstops on the roster. The O's are carrying two left fielders, Luke Scott, who has some power, and Lou Montanez, who may be able to hit for average. In addition, left field prospect Nolan Reimold is starting to make noise in the minors.

Pie, 23, was a highly ranked prospect for the Cubs, but he batted only .223 in his first 260 major league at bats spread over the last two seasons. If that were the greatest problem he faced in his short major league career Pie would probably be pleased.

In spring training last year Pie suffered an injury that required surgery. He got his panties in a bunch. His britches were in a knot. His bits were jumbled up. What I'm saying is, this Cat suffered from an agonizing case of twisted testicles. 

*Ouch*

Pie was out of spring training for most of a week, undergoing what the Chicago Tribune questionably calls a “minor” procedure that involved having the misplaced bits sewed into the appropriate area.

*Cringe*

Anyway, the surgery was "successful" and it appears that Pie's performance last season had nothing to do with this terrifying occurrence. However, his low batting average is based on a pretty small sample size, so there is still a chance that the O's could land a great prospect in Pie. Sports Illustratedranked him the 34th best prospect in all of baseball in 2007, and just because the Cubs are ready to move on does not mean Pie can't hit.  The O's would be giving up little to get Pie.  If he blossoms, they would have a formidable and young outfield with Pie, Adam Jones, 23, and Nick Markakis, 25. 

This would be an, umm, gutsy move if the Orioles front office makes the trade.