O's: The value of Pie

Dave Trembley indicated during his managerial press conference today that there has been a lot of interest from other clubs in outfielder Felix Pie, and there are rumblings here that he could be part of a trade for pitching help. What a difference six months make. Andy MacPhail was criticized early last season for force-feeding Pie into the Orioles starting lineup, but Pie improved steadily over the ensuing months and showed signs of the terrific potential that had gone unfulfilled in the Chicago Cubs organization. Since the Orioles seem very reluctant to experiment with Nolan Reimold at first base next spring -- something Trembley also confirmed today -- Pie is a surplus part who could aid in the MacPhail rebuilding plan more by leaving than staying. That said, Reimold is coming off surgery to repair a frayed Achilles tendon, so the Orioles would have to be pretty certain of his readiness for spring training to deal Pie.