Worth the risk?

[Backtobanks]

Let me start with a quick disclaimer: I'm only suggesting these moves as long-term suggestions, assuming they can be obtained very cheaply, and that they still have minor league options. The rumor mill has suggested that the Red Sox are basically willing to give up Willy Mo Pena for next to nothing and the Angels have already replaced Ervin Santana in the rotation. Perhaps some time at AAA with Joshua and spring training with Gerald Perry might straighten out Pena. He has shown the potential to be a .280 hitter with 40-50 HR power. As for Santana, he was wanted by a lot of teams last offseason and has a lot of potential to be a winning starter in the majors. Maybe Rothschild and the minor league pitching coaches can straighten him out. Both of these players are still young and have had some success in the majors, but are having terrible years and seemed to be "on the outs" with their current teams. Before I get blasted on these suggestions, remember the disclaimer at the beginning.

[anabiono]

i am not too sure about santana...but i would be all over pena like white on rice

[d_money]

i am not too sure about santana...but i would be all over pena like white on rice

 

I thought Pena's defense was not so good and he is a strikeout machine. Santana's not going anywhere - LAA would ask way too much for him.

[soapy]

pena might be a decent platoon option in RF with floyd if the cubs aren't going to call up murton and they think they can work out pena's issues this year. the price would have to be cheap though.

[seanhopper]

I thought this thread was going to be about Chicago native and recently tasered, Scott Olsen. I was going to advocate the Cubs trading for him after his last blow-up with his manager, but after this latest incident, I believe they better stay away.

[bhogg]

Wily Mo played SS in little league. He could probably do it for the Cubs, too.

[JimSorgi]

I would want both these players if the price was cheap.

[Cubfan_N_nebraska]

No No to WilyMo, as far as Santana you can never have to much pitching!

[anabiono]

it is also very possible that pena will greatly benefit from consistent playing time, something the cubs could quite possibly give him...i don't know...aside from griffey...he might just be the best thing to plop out there in RF...

 

dye appears to be not heading anywheres as of the latest "reports"...

[rawaction]

Pena's not worth the risk. Santana is worth all kinds of risk. He's still one of the most talented young pitchers around.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Pena's numbers are horrendous this year. His numbers last year weren't too terrible though. He definitely has potential.

 

I might take a run at him if he's basically free.

 

I'd be all over the chance to acquire Santana. I'm not sure what is the cause of his struggles, but he's good enough to take the risk.

[TruffleShuffle]

wily mo is still in search of the perfect fastball.

[reds44]

Wily Mo played SS in little league. He could probably do it for the Cubs, too.

You've seen Pena play defense right?

[anabiono]

alright, if that deal goes through...torres for willy mo...as per rotoworld...i will be absolutely distraught if hendry can't bring another *starting* bat into this lineup!

 

pissed!

[Transmogrified Tiger]

alright, if that deal goes through...torres for willy mo...as per rotoworld...i will be absolutely distraught if hendry can't bring another *starting* bat into this lineup!

 

pissed!

 

If that happens then it's time to call Littlefield again to see exactly what he'd want for Bay or Nady.

[jyoung55]

Wily Mo played SS in little league. He could probably do it for the Cubs, too.

You've seen Pena play defense right?

 

That was called sarcasm by bhogg.

[Cubzfan64]

First of all, Pena cannot be sent down due to his length of service in the major leagues - apparently he came up to the ML WAY TOO EARLY according to most baseball pundits.

 

The only way Pena could be of value is if a team can afford to basically let him learn how to play defense as well as learn how to make contact with a curveball and how to lay off pitches while playing FULL TIME. A couple team now have already tried the "he can learn while platooning" theory and it's been a disaster for Boston for sure.

 

There have been discussions in the past here about Manny Ramirez being a poor outfielder (I personally think he's average), but I can tell you right now that Manny Ramirez looks like a gold glover compared to Pena and that's honestly not sarcasm - Pena is TERRIBLE defensively - absolutely terrible!

 

If the Cubs were out of the race, I'd say take a flier on him if it costs you basically nothing, but imho no team in the middle of a penant race should waste a roster spot on a "project" player - and Pena is definitely that!

 

He gets you excited because every now and then he connects with a fastball and sends it a mile - but when every single ball hit to him in the outfield looks like an adventure, and he SO's between 30-50% of the time, I just think he would be an awful fit with our team - regardless if it costs us nothing.

 

Trust me when I tell you that Boston would DFA him if they didn't think there's some crappy team out there like Washington or Kansas City that might be willing to give up at least something for him. Pena's only hope is that he gets hooked up with a team that can play him full time and afford to put up with a guy that should be in AAA learning how to tune his abilities and talent.

 

Just say no to Wily Mo!

[Soriano12]

I would have no problem putting Pena in RF and batting him 7th everday and letting him "figure it out"(even for a team like the Cubs in the heat of a pennant chase) I understand the need to "win now", but I'd also like us to secure the future as well. I'm also concerned about D. Lee's power numbers dropping and I really think we need to add another bat in the OF.

 

 

Ironically, Pena is pretty balanced vs lefties and righties. Over the past 3 seasons he has an 850 OPS vs lefties and 813 vs righties.

[Soriano12]

I'd also like to add that when Ramirez came to the Cubs he was viewed as a butcher at 3B. Now he one of the better defensive third baseman in the NL.

 

It isn't like Pena is a Cliff Floyd(who can barely move anymore). He has the range, and a pretty good arm. If I was Piniella, I would be begging Hendry to deal for this guy so my staff could work with him. An outfield arm trio of Soriano, Pie, and Pena could be something special.

[anabiono]

I'd also like to add that when Ramirez came to the Cubs he was viewed as a butcher at 3B. Now he one of the better defensive third baseman in the NL.

 

It isn't like Pena is a Cliff Floyd(who can barely move anymore). He has the range, and a pretty good arm. If I was Piniella, I would be begging Hendry to deal for this guy so my staff could work with him. An outfield arm trio of Soriano, Pie, and Pena could be something special.

 

stash...i like how you think

[Soriano12]

I'd also like to add that when Ramirez came to the Cubs he was viewed as a butcher at 3B. Now he one of the better defensive third baseman in the NL.

 

It isn't like Pena is a Cliff Floyd(who can barely move anymore). He has the range, and a pretty good arm. If I was Piniella, I would be begging Hendry to deal for this guy so my staff could work with him. An outfield arm trio of Soriano, Pie, and Pena could be something special.

 

stash...i like how you think

 

Thank you. This trade should be a no brainer...especially in todays market..I mean...look what Gary Matthews Jr. got this offseason! :shock: Gary freaking Matthews Jr!