The Cubs have signed Carlos Pena to a one-year $10 million deal. I've commented before at some length on Pena's abilities and his career to date. I still don't like this deal. For one thing, it is obviously a stop-gap deal, but for the type of player you get and the amount you've invested, you get a message the Cubs think they can contend now. So it is really a mixed message at best. This guy will strike out, take the occasional walk, hit home runs, field his position, and otherwise do pretty much nothing else. The other question I have is where he will bat. Presumably third, between Castro and Ramirez, but with all those strikeouts, he looks like as much of a rally killer as Lee was last season.
Actually, it seems the Cubs and Hendry were all over the place today if one is to believe MLB Trade Rumors, which at one point or another had them trading for Chris Davis of the Rangers, signing Adam LaRoche, talking to the Dodgers about James Loney (probably the best alternative after Gonzalez went to Boston unless you wanted to take a chance on Colvin at 1B).
MLB Trade Rumors also had the Cubs shopping Tom Gorzelanny for unnamed talent. That's not a bad idea, but now that Pena is in the fold, you've got to wonder who they can get to fill their needs. Gorzelanny is not going to bring big talent unless additional prospects are on the table. Darrin O'Day and someone else from Texas? Who knows what these guys are up to now? Most of the best talent for 7th and 8th inning relievers, Wood and Crain, for example, are free agents anyway.
Well, lets hope for the best for next season or at least something interesting to watch on the field, all the while expecting the worst.
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