Cubs Sign Pena to 1 year, $10 million Deal (p. 3)

[davell]

What contracts expire at the end of the 2011 season?

 

If you're talking about the Cubs, we lose Grabow, Samardzija, Fukudome, Ramirez(team option), Silva, and Dempster has a player option.

 

If you're wondering what's available through FA next offseason, the short answer is not much. But, 1B options could include Prince, A-Gon and even Pujols.

I was wondering how much was coming off of our payroll. Thanks for the info.

 

 

Monetarily speaking, its right around 43 mill, not counting Dempster.

[questionmarkgrace]

If you're going to get someone who's been mediocre to bad at 1B, at least make it someone young enough so that if they beat expectations, there's more than a 1 season payoff. I'd rather buy a lottery ticket on someone like Chris Davis or the Kila monster than try to draw another good season out of Pena or Branyan. Berkman I might make an exception for.

 

 

I agree give a young guy a shot for this year. Maybe he turns out really good. Or maybe he just gets us through this year so we can try for Agonz or Fielder. If we arent signing Dunn then this is the way it should probably go down.

[champaignchris]

Do the Cubs not understand the old saying that a bird in hand's as good as two in the bush?

 

If the Cubs think they will compete in 2011, they should sign Adam Dunn to a three year contract right now, as he is the best 1B option out there.

 

If the Cubs think they will compete in 2012, they should sign Adam Dunn to a three year contract as he will be one of the best four 1B options and they can lock him up right now for quite a bit cheaper than the others.

 

If the Cubs think they will compete in 2013, they should sign Adam Dunn to a three year contract as he will be one of the best four 1B options and they can lock him up right now for quite a bit cheaper than the others.

 

If the Cubs really don't think they'll compete again until 2014, I'm not sure why I'm even paying attention any more.

[Guest]

Do the Cubs not understand the old saying that a bird in hand's as good as two in the bush?

 

I think they understand the old saying, you can lead a horse to water but you cannot make him take a bath in it.

[Backtobanks]

Do the Cubs not understand the old saying that a bird in hand's as good as two in the bush?

 

If the Cubs think they will compete in 2011, they should sign Adam Dunn to a three year contract right now, as he is the best 1B option out there.

 

If the Cubs think they will compete in 2012, they should sign Adam Dunn to a three year contract as he will be one of the best four 1B options and they can lock him up right now for quite a bit cheaper than the others.

 

If the Cubs think they will compete in 2013, they should sign Adam Dunn to a three year contract as he will be one of the best four 1B options and they can lock him up right now for quite a bit cheaper than the others.

 

If the Cubs really don't think they'll compete again until 2014, I'm not sure why I'm even paying attention any more.

 

I understand wanting to sign Dunn, but I don't think you should use the "cheaper than others" argument. The "available" free agents next year that will cost more are Pujols and Gonzalez who are miles ahead of Dunn offensively and defensively.

[flyseye]

Do the Cubs not understand the old saying that a bird in hand's as good as two in the bush?

 

If the Cubs think they will compete in 2011, they should sign Adam Dunn to a three year contract right now, as he is the best 1B option out there.

 

If the Cubs think they will compete in 2012, they should sign Adam Dunn to a three year contract as he will be one of the best four 1B options and they can lock him up right now for quite a bit cheaper than the others.

 

If the Cubs think they will compete in 2013, they should sign Adam Dunn to a three year contract as he will be one of the best four 1B options and they can lock him up right now for quite a bit cheaper than the others.

 

If the Cubs really don't think they'll compete again until 2014, I'm not sure why I'm even paying attention any more.

 

I understand wanting to sign Dunn, but I don't think you should use the "cheaper than others" argument. The "available" free agents next year that will cost more are Pujols and Gonzalez who are miles ahead of Dunn offensively and defensively.

 

While Dunn will make the least of the above group, he will most likely still be the most overpaid.

[Rob]

Do the Cubs not understand the old saying that a bird in hand's as good as two in the bush?

 

If the Cubs think they will compete in 2011, they should sign Adam Dunn to a three year contract right now, as he is the best 1B option out there.

 

If the Cubs think they will compete in 2012, they should sign Adam Dunn to a three year contract as he will be one of the best four 1B options and they can lock him up right now for quite a bit cheaper than the others.

 

If the Cubs think they will compete in 2013, they should sign Adam Dunn to a three year contract as he will be one of the best four 1B options and they can lock him up right now for quite a bit cheaper than the others.

 

If the Cubs really don't think they'll compete again until 2014, I'm not sure why I'm even paying attention any more.

 

I like Dunn quite a bit, but let's not forget that his profile is not that of a player who is likely to age gracefully. Signing him with an eye towards competing in 2013 is a very risky move, and not one that I would endorse.

[Sammy Sofa]

I never understand why people are so quick to pin Dunn as a player who is going to fall off of a cliff as he gets older, especially just 3 seasons from now.

[Little Slide Rooter]

With Dunn off the market, and the likelyhood of A Gon signing long term with the Red Sox if the deal happens, I think that we need to accept the fact that Carlos Pena is this years Marlon Byrd, meaning the least awful option at the position were trying to fill.

[inari]

I'm not sure that sounds like anything but a horrible comparison.

[TruffleShuffle]

Do the Cubs not understand the old saying that a bird in hand's as good as two in the bush?

 

I think they understand the old saying, you can lead a horse to water but you cannot make him take a bath in it.

 

well at least someone understands that, because i sure as hell don't.

[inari]

So I guess we're down to either Pena or Davis? I actually think Pena is a decent signing, if that happens.

[Clem Fandango]

So I guess we're down to either Pena or Davis? I actually think Pena is a decent signing, if that happens.

 

Likewise. Legit power, great plate discipline, great defense. His BABIP was 57 points lower than his career average this year, that AVG is clearly an aberration. I would think he would bounce back nicely prdouction wise. He'll probably only bat in the .240-.270 range somewhere, but I would think he would hit better being in a weaker division. I like the idea of Davis, and as Rob said in the Davis thread, the two are not exclusive and we could just as easily sign Pena and trade for Davis and have them both, but if we are a legit power hitting 1B and a pitcher or two away from playoff contention, I think Pena is the clear cut way to go in terms of providing that production in the lineup while also helping the team's playoff chances.

[dew1679666265]

So I guess we're down to either Pena or Davis? I actually think Pena is a decent signing, if that happens.

 

Nick Johnson is still out there as well. He's the best option if he could stay healthy, but that's a really big if.

[XZero771679666304]

So I guess we're down to either Pena or Davis? I actually think Pena is a decent signing, if that happens.

 

Nick Johnson is still out there as well. He's the best option if he could stay healthy, but that's a really big if.

 

That's a gigantic if. In fact, it would be stunning if he did.

[Clem Fandango]

So I guess we're down to either Pena or Davis? I actually think Pena is a decent signing, if that happens.

 

Nick Johnson is still out there as well. He's the best option if he could stay healthy, but that's a really big if.

 

Johnson's ability to draw walks is tremendous, but Pena is no slouch in that regard either. Definitely not better than Johnson, but still very good. If Johnson could prove he could stay healthy for 130 games or so like he did a couple of years ago, you then need to ask yourself whether you want Johnson and his ability to hit for better average or Pena and his ability to hit for better power. I think we need the power bat more, plus since Johnson is a near lock to miss more games than he starts I think Pena looks like a more attractive option by the minute.

 

I feel like I keep talking about Pena in every thread.

 

*checks*

 

Yup I kinda am. Sorry

[dew1679666265]

So I guess we're down to either Pena or Davis? I actually think Pena is a decent signing, if that happens.

 

Nick Johnson is still out there as well. He's the best option if he could stay healthy, but that's a really big if.

 

That's a gigantic if. In fact, it would be stunning if he did.

 

Stunning if he stayed healthy for an entire year, sure. But if he could give us 133 games like he did in 2009, he'd likely be quite productive. We'd have to make sure we had depth (Kila, Davis, etc), but he'd also come very cheaply. That said, I wouldn't mind choosing Pena over him for the health certainty.

[dew1679666265]

Johnson's ability to draw walks is tremendous, but Pena is no slouch in that regard either. Definitely not better than Johnson, but still very good. If Johnson could prove he could stay healthy for 130 games or so like he did a couple of years ago, you then need to ask yourself whether you want Johnson and his ability to hit for better average or Pena and his ability to hit for better power. I think we need the power bat more, plus since Johnson is a near lock to miss more games than he starts I think Pena looks like a more attractive option by the minute.

 

I feel like I keep talking about Pena in every thread.

 

*checks*

 

Yup I kinda am. Sorry

 

I'd take either, to be honest. I think the upside for Johnson is a bit better and he'll be a bit cheaper (and more of a certainty to accept a 1 year deal), but you do make a good point on Pena's power ability.

 

And I'm tending to talk too much about the first base situation too, I think.

[Clem Fandango]

Johnson's ability to draw walks is tremendous, but Pena is no slouch in that regard either. Definitely not better than Johnson, but still very good. If Johnson could prove he could stay healthy for 130 games or so like he did a couple of years ago, you then need to ask yourself whether you want Johnson and his ability to hit for better average or Pena and his ability to hit for better power. I think we need the power bat more, plus since Johnson is a near lock to miss more games than he starts I think Pena looks like a more attractive option by the minute.

 

I feel like I keep talking about Pena in every thread.

 

*checks*

 

Yup I kinda am. Sorry

 

I'd take either, to be honest. I think the upside for Johnson is a bit better and he'll be a bit cheaper (and more of a certainty to accept a 1 year deal), but you do make a good point on Pena's power ability.

 

And I'm tending to talk too much about the first base situation too, I think.

 

Well when 3 of the better/best options get taken off the board over the course of a day or two I suppose it becomes priority #1. I honestly think the Cubs are going to make a move as quickly as they can. If they sit back and let someone else snatch up Pena I'm going to be very upset.

[XZero771679666304]

You have to talk about the first base situation because it's really the only thing to talk about. Dunn, Berkman and AGon going off the board so quickly has to force Hendry's hand, unless the Cubs plan on going with Colvin at 1B next season.

 

Once Dunn was gone I turned my focus to Pena, and hopefully Hendry has his focus in the same place.

[dew1679666265]

You have to talk about the first base situation because it's really the only thing to talk about. Dunn, Berkman and AGon going off the board so quickly has to force Hendry's hand, unless the Cubs plan on going with Colvin at 1B next season.

 

Once Dunn was gone I turned my focus to Pena, and hopefully Hendry has his focus in the same place.

 

If I had to guess, I'd bet Hendry's focus has been on Pena all along. I don't really have any evidence to support it, I just get the feeling he's thrown out feelers on others, but has wanted Pena the whole time.

 

And I'm ok with that if Gordon isn't an option. Pena/Davis are solid additions for next year and the future, I think.

[Little Slide Rooter]

•Scott Boras' asking price for Carlos Pena remains "really high." The first baseman does have interest in Baltimore.

 

[expletive] Boras. How great would it be if we lost out to Baltimore for Pena and Washington for Webb and ended up with Overbay and Kevin Milwood or something of the like?

[inari]

Not great at all I guess. Is that what you were going for?

[Clem Fandango]

Carrie Muskat of MLB.com reports that Cubs GM Jim Hendry met this week with Scott Boras, the agent for first baseman Carlos Pena.

Terms were not exchanged. The Cubs are quickly losing out on some of their best free agent options and may turn back to Pena if that trend continues. He batted just .198 this year for the Rays, but he did slug 28 home runs while tallying 84 RBI. The 32-year-old has a legitimate power bat that would be well showcased inside the cozy confines of Chicago's Wrigley Field.

[italianocubsfan7]

Now there is this out there — http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/mlb/news/story?id=5896458&campaign=rss&source=CHICAGOHeadlines

 

Maybe something is imminent??