Comments on: The Cubs sign Carlos Pena to a one-year deal

By: PanchoHerreraFanClub

PanchoHerreraFanClub — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 19:56:54 +0000

Ten million for a 1B who last year hit below the mendoza line! The Cubs haven’t gone 0 for 102 on pure talent alone, it takes a big assist from the Cubs “brain” trust along the way.

By: andrewkw

andrewkw — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 18:42:37 +0000

I really don’t understand why the jays didn’t top this offer. Rogers Center is pretty good for hitting home runs too, and it’s only for one year. They could have used some of the savings from trading Marcum to up their offer.

By: flpunx

flpunx — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 15:45:12 +0000

Say what you want about his age, the fact that he only knows how to hit homeruns, or that he can’t beat out the shift to save his life, but he is a difference maker in a lot of games, and last time I checked, the Cubs need someone who can do that. Maybe now Byrd can not feel like he has to carry the team by himself. As a Rays fan, I hate to see him go, but I have a really bad feeling this is the tip of the iceberg. . . .

By: Adam

Adam — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 15:19:44 +0000

“His first two seasons with the Rays, Pena hit .297 and .298 on balls in play, roughly the major league norm. This season, that figure has dipped to .229.”
Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/24/sports/baseball/24kepner.html

And he’s been swinging and missing for a long time. The bigger problem is that his GB/FB ratio skyrocketed last year, and he pulls the ground balls into the shift that’s employed against him.

By: PanchoHerreraFanClub

PanchoHerreraFanClub — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 15:12:44 +0000

Or maybe he won’t bounce back because he doesn’t have a clue about hitting in general and the pitchers in the NL Central in particular.

By: dondbaseball

dondbaseball — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 15:11:54 +0000

Yes, he has power, yes he has a good glove, yes he walks a lot but he doesn’t make contact AT ALL. When you swing and miss that much, you will mishit many balls that become outs so I don’t buy that 222 Babip going up a bit. Plus he is getting older and seems to have “old-guy” skills that will not age well. He took the first decent offer out there (good for him) but as usual, Hendry screwed up.

By: proudlycanadian

proudlycanadian — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 14:09:38 +0000

A few days ago, a rumor monger wrote that the Jays were all over Pena. That was a tad off. The Jays will kick tires, but are unlikely to sign an overpriced Boras client.

By: shawon0meter

shawon0meter — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 13:52:52 +0000

I don’t hate it……not sure what else to say

By: proudlycanadian

proudlycanadian — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 13:41:02 +0000

That is a lot of money for someone coming off a bad year.

By: Adam

Adam — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 13:14:53 +0000

He may have a chance to re-establish his value and have fewer FA 1B to compete against, but he’ll also have fewer teams with a need for his services, as multiple teams are locking up 1B this offseason to multi year deals.

Simply supply and demand at work.