Peavy talks to start up again?

Is Peavy on his way to the North Side? It could be closer than you think. Yesterday, Jim Hendry traded a former “can’t miss” prospect to the Baltimore Orioles for southpaw Garrett Olsen and right hander Henry Williamson. The Chicago Cubs had a line just as long as the season ticket waitlist for outfield roster spots. With the acquisition of fellow speedster Joey Gathright, Felix Pie was sent packing.

Once considered the prized possession of the Cubs’ farm system, Pie failed to adjust to major league hitting. Pie hit .299 in the minors throughout his career but followed the same path as Corey Patterson (another “stud prospect” who didn’t pan out!”

Some fans are outraged at this trade because Pie was once our “untouchable” prospect. However, those same fans fail to realize that with Kosuke Fukudome, Reed Johnson, Alfonso Soriano, Milton Bradley, & Joey Gathright, Pie (who is out of options) would’ve never seen the light of day on this roster. When a player is out of options, the only way the team can keep the player under their control, is to keep them on the 25 man roster. If the player isn’t on the 25 man roster, then they become a free agent and are free to sign with whoever they like.

Now Hendry, instead of losing Pie for nothing,  managed to grab some more pitching (as the old saying goes, “you can never have enough pitching.”) Olson was heavily coveted by the San Diego Padres a few weeks ago. However, the Padres couldn’t get the Orioles to part ways with him. This is where things get interesting, the Padres are the home of Jake Peavy. Peavy has been the center of attention with the Cubs at the GM meetings and all off-season. It was revealed that Jim Hendry stepped away from the table when the Hot Stove was getting warm.

Since the GM meetings, Hendry has shed himself of salary by trading Jason Marquis and Mark DeRosa. In the DeRosa trade involving Clevland, the Cubs recieved three minor league pitchers. When Pie was traded for even more pitching, the rumor mill began to operate at full swing once again.

My thought on all of these moves is this: WERE GETTING PEAVY! All of the signs are there. We got a stockpile of decent prospects from the DeRosa and Pie trades. We’ve made room on the payroll (Marquis). The only snag in the plan, is that the team still hasn’t been sold. This process has been dragged out for over a year, once its settled (the rumor is that the winning bidder will be announced this week) things will be a lot easier. Hendry will know what he is and isn’t allowed to do concerning payroll.

Enough about Peavy.

Quick Notes:  There have been rumors that Rich Harden has an injured shoulder already (spring training hasn’t even started)! If the Cubs don’t acquire a 5th starter, then the Cubs plan on holding try-outs during the Spring. Players in the running for the last rotation spot include: Jeff Samardizja, Sean Marshall, Chad Gaudin, Garrett Olson, & Angel Guzman. Last week, Carlos Zambrano (Mr. No-No) announced that he would have Lasik eye surgery to correct blurry vision in his right eye. On a lighter note, Jim Hendry was grilled by female Cub fans at the Cubs Convention about why he traded DeRosa and whether or not he could come back to celebrate a World Series victory in 2009. He smiled and said “I knew that was coming.”