Carlos Pena claimed on Waivers

[Little Slide Rooter]

Carlos Pena Claimed On Waivers

By Zach Links [August 24 at 1:09pm CST]

Cubs slugger Carlos Pena was claimed on waivers by an unknown team, according to Buster Olney of ESPN.com (via Twitter).

 

 

Let the fun begin.

 

We could just let go and save 5 mil for next year.

[KingKongvs.Godzilla]

Should be interesting.

[Little Slide Rooter]

In 480 plate appearances this year for the Cubs, the 33-year-old is hitting .222/.342/.455 with 23 homers. Pena is owed about $1MM for the rest of the year and projects as a Type B free agent this winter. The Cubs will be on the hook for a deferred $5MM in January even if they deal him.

 

Well that sucks.

[WrigleyField 22]

If we're still on the hook for the deferred payment either way, I just assume keep him.

[kylescubs23]

I agree, especially considering he's on pace for a type B free agent.

[Ryno12]

I'm having a hard time figuring out why the Cubs would still be on the hook for the $5M if they traded him. It would make sense that the obligation would pass with the player, unless the Cubs agreed to pick it up as part of a trade.

[Little Slide Rooter]

I'd like to see him moved if for no other reason than for the relief of knowing they plan on going in a different direction next year.

[SouthSideRyan]

Maybe it was structured as a bonus? Or maybe the CBA has something in it regarding deferred payments.

[Have a seat, Neifi]

Ken_Rosenthal

Ken Rosenthal

 

Pena claimed, but #Cubs likely to pull him back. Need 1B for 2012, want to keep options open. Did not get good offers before 7/31. #MLB

[WrigleyField 22]

Maybe it was structured as a bonus? Or maybe the CBA has something in it regarding deferred payments.

Yea my assumption is that deffered payments have special status under the CBA.

[SouthSideRyan]

Ken_Rosenthal

Ken Rosenthal

 

Pena claimed, but #Cubs likely to pull him back. Need 1B for 2012, want to keep options open. Did not get good offers before 7/31. #MLB

 

[expletive] you.

[Ballgame64]

Ken_Rosenthal

Ken Rosenthal

 

Pena claimed, but #Cubs likely to pull him back. Need 1B for 2012, want to keep options open. Did not get good offers before 7/31. #MLB

Does Rosenthal understand the Cubs could still sign Pena for next season as a free agent? I can understand if the Cubs don't get an offer worth taking, but to use 2012 as the reason for pulling Pena back is kind of dumb.

[jersey cubs fan]

Ken_Rosenthal

Ken Rosenthal

 

Pena claimed, but #Cubs likely to pull him back. Need 1B for 2012, want to keep options open. Did not get good offers before 7/31. #MLB

Does Rosenthal understand the Cubs could still sign Pena for next season as a free agent? I can understand if the Cubs don't get an offer worth taking, but to use 2012 as the reason for pulling Pena back is kind of dumb.

 

It would be part of the reason, along with not getting anything of value in return. The fact is it's easier to keep your own free agents than acquire them from other teams. Obviously it would suck balls if the Cubs intended of going into 2012 with Pena as the 1B, but that's another issue.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Ken_Rosenthal

Ken Rosenthal

 

Pena claimed, but #Cubs likely to pull him back. Need 1B for 2012, want to keep options open. Did not get good offers before 7/31. #MLB

 

[expletive] you.

 

Is it possible to fire an interim GM before hiring his replacement?

[UMFan83]

Maybe it was structured as a bonus? Or maybe the CBA has something in it regarding deferred payments.

 

I gotta think it has to do with a reason similar to this.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Ken_Rosenthal

Ken Rosenthal

 

Pena claimed, but #Cubs likely to pull him back. Need 1B for 2012, want to keep options open. Did not get good offers before 7/31. #MLB

Does Rosenthal understand the Cubs could still sign Pena for next season as a free agent? I can understand if the Cubs don't get an offer worth taking, but to use 2012 as the reason for pulling Pena back is kind of dumb.

 

I think the question is whether or not the Cubs understand that.

[Guest]

If we're still on the hook for the deferred payment either way, I just assume keep him.

 

Minus whale. For all intensive purposes, we wouldn't be saving any money.

[UMFan83]

If we're still on the hook for the deferred payment either way, I just assume keep him.

 

Minus whale. For all intensive purposes, we wouldn't be saving any money.

 

I could care less about saving money.

[Guest]

If we're still on the hook for the deferred payment either way, I just assume keep him.

 

Minus whale. For all intensive purposes, we wouldn't be saving any money.

 

I could care less about saving money.

 

It's a doggy dog world.

[MWV]

Offering him arbitration probably nets the Cubs as much as any offer out there, even if he's type B. I think one can be pretty certain Pena would decline an arbitration offer; he's arguably the 1st or 2nd best of what's left in terms of free agent 1B next season(excluding Fielder/Pujols):

Lance Berkman STL 
Russell Branyan LAA 
Jorge Cantu SD 
Brad Hawpe SD 
Eric Hinske ATL 
Ross Gload PHI 
Nick Johnson CLE 
Derrek Lee BAL 
Xavier Nady ARI 
David Ortiz BOS 
Lyle Overbay PIT 
Carlos Pena CHC  
Jim Thome MIN 

[UMFan83]

If we're still on the hook for the deferred payment either way, I just assume keep him.

 

Minus whale. For all intensive purposes, we wouldn't be saving any money.

 

I could care less about saving money.

 

It's a doggy dog world.

 

True. Irregardless, it's a mute point.

[weis21]

If we're still on the hook for the deferred payment either way, I just assume keep him.

 

Minus whale. For all intensive purposes, we wouldn't be saving any money.

Intents and purposes.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Ken_Rosenthal

Ken Rosenthal

 

Pena claimed, but #Cubs likely to pull him back. Need 1B for 2012, want to keep options open. Did not get good offers before 7/31. #MLB

 

Now is this from any intel or just Rosenthals opinion?

[weis21]

If we're still on the hook for the deferred payment either way, I just assume keep him.

 

Minus whale. For all intensive purposes, we wouldn't be saving any money.

 

I could care less about saving money.

 

It's a doggy dog world.

 

True. Irregardless, it's a mute point.

Moot.

 

(I'm on a roll in this thread)

 

If it saves any money at all, I'd say deal him. Who cares at this point? And as was said earlier, it would be nice to know that he's really not even on their radar for next year (though I understand he could be traded and re-signed).

[davearm2]

You go, weis