Cubs pick up lefty Pena

[AdmiralBackhand]

Chicago Cubs set to sign first baseman Carlos Pena - MLB - SI.com

Hit .196 last year. With other good numbers and has been a good player through his career. Any thoughts?

 

[edgesofsanity]

Kind of an off year for him - BABIP down to .222, leading(?) to him pressing as his O-Swing% has been creeping back up. I think if you put good protection behind him, he'll turn back around and get his average back up.

What will be interesting will be to see if he starts pulling balls more - last year shanked a lot more into left field, with a corresponding dip in power. Balance that against the northeastern winds at Wrigley, and he might not see a bounce back in that department.

Still, I think this will be a good pickup for the Cubs.

 

[AdmiralBackhand]

I like that. How does your Cubs line-up look then?

 

[nd1]

yea he going to kill that field. he doesn't hit for high avg but has great power and drives in runs. he's going to be a good pick up for them.

 

[KPENN]

Maybe a bit of an overpayment for him at this point, but if he does what he's capable of doing it'll b worth it.

 

[AdmiralBackhand]

Byrd
Castro
Colvin
Ramirez
Pena
Soriano
Soto
Dewitt
Pitcher

 

[edgesofsanity]

I like that. How does your Cubs line-up look then?

It still depends. The easy answer currently is just exchange him into the 3 slot, take advantage of his good OBP/SLG combo infront of Ramirez and split up the RRR combo up in the front of the lineup. If he doesn't bounce back, flip him around.

But with Pena on board, there's no reason to hang on to Fukudome, and the Cubs stated they would try to shop him. So I imagine the Cubs aren't done dealing yet this winter.

 

[AdmiralBackhand]

Yeah, he has been the odd man out for a while. I was a big fan of Fukudome when the Cubs picked him up. I hate to see him go but I think Colvin is going to be a mack daddy.

 

[edgesofsanity]

Byrd
Castro
Colvin
Ramirez
Pena
Soriano
Soto
Dewitt
Pitcher

I like it in theory, but I don't think Colvin will stick in the 3 spot - too young, and he tailed off in August and September - post All Star slashes of 246/318/469; - pitchers getting used to his weak spots?

Even with Pena's down year last year (and historically low BABIP) he still pulled off a 186/330/393*. If Colvin does prove himself in spring training, I could see the Cubs putting Pena's high OBP in the 2 slot with Ramirez following and then Colvin with his ISO of .200+ in the 4 slot - and it would preserve a RLRL lineup as well (with either castro or byrd leading off).

 

[AdmiralBackhand]

I wouldn't mind that either. I think Colvin will do much better seeing more pitchers. He was platooned throughout the year. We'll know more as he starts most every game.

 

[edgesofsanity]

Yeah - it all depends on how fluky last season was for Pena. If he can fix his issues, great pickup. If he can't - could probably still contribute, but much less sexy.

 

[AdmiralBackhand]

I didn't watch many TB games last year so I don't know how he plays game-to-game. Sadly, TB fan base didn't catch the games either. Heh.

 

[edgesofsanity]

So early reports are the deal is for 1 year, 10 million. On one hand, nice job for the Cubs - if he busts, you're out quickly. But still - the Cardinals signed Lance Berkman for 1 year 8 million - the Cubbies couldn't have done better than that?

 

[AdmiralBackhand]

I think Berkman is on the edge of the last years of his career. I guess he is going to be relegated to the bench.

 

[KPENN]

I think Berkman is on the edge of the last years of his career. I guess he is going to be relegated to the bench.

I heard they signed him to play LF and are moving Holiday to RF. Not sure if true or not. Plus don't worry Berkman was absolutely brutal at the plate with the Yankees

 

[nd1]

I heard they signed him to play LF and are moving Holiday to RF. Not sure if true or not. Plus don't worry Berkman was absolutely brutal at the plate with the Yankees

thats wat they are saying.

 

[AdmiralBackhand]

Another Carlos Lee in LF..

 

[nd1]

hey paul konerko agreed 3 year deal with white soxs today for 37.5 million.

 

[KPENN]

hey paul konerko agreed 3 year deal with white soxs today for 37.5 million.

Figured. Wouldn't have made sense for him to leave

 

[irishff1014]

THe white soxs should be a tough team this year.

 

[nd1]

yea they are going to be tough. if the pitching hold up because they will be able to hit for sure.

 

[nd1]

word is that royals and jeff francour have agreed on deal. will announce later today.