Keeping Carlos Pena?

[dabynsky]

NO....................................Fielder better be a cub.

I wouldn't be surprised if the Cubs passed on either Fielder or Pujols. I just would be upset if they did.

 

[Jntg4]

We got the point jntg, we know the age difference but it means shit. For me, I want players in the league to be 20 or 21 or just turning 22 (then call-up).

Players are usually drafted at age 22...

 

[dabynsky]

Players are usually drafted at age 22...

I am sure the average age of drafted players is 22, but a lot of drafted players aren't legitimate prospects. There are what 50 rounds in the draft. A lot of teams end up with more than that with sandwich picks for compensation. So I wouldn't be surprised if the average age of draft players is around 22, but that doesn't mean that we should be touting Justin Bour as the next big thing. Justin Bour putting up these numbers at age 23 in high A ball just isn't that impressive. Doesn't mean that Bour has no chance of being a good player in the future, but until he does it again at higher level most people will only consider him roster filler at this point.

 

[cubsneedmiracle]

Pena will be dealt at the deadline. Id be willing to place a large bet in vegas on that.

Yeah Id put a 95% chance on that.

Especially with him heating up lately.

 

[waldo7239117]

Pean will be dealt...like Dewy and CNM has said. I have no doubt in my mind. I know the D'backs have had interest in him this year and in the offseason.

 

[dabynsky]

I'm just hoping that two things happen with Pena getting dealt:

1. The Cubs pick up the deferred money and get at least one to two legitimate prospects back for him that aren't 3 years away.

2. The Cubs bring Vitters up to see what we have in the guy. I wouldn't mind seeing him play 1B right now since it appears like that might be his defensive position for now. Go out and sign Fielder, and then send Vitters to the Arizona Fall League to learn how to play the OF.

 

[waldo7239117]

I wish that would happen Dabs but I don't see Vitters getting the call this year.

 

[dabynsky]

I wish that would happen Dabs but I don't see Vitters getting the call this year.

They've been pushing him pretty hard through the system so I wouldn't be shocked one way or the other. I suppose I wouldn't be heartbroken if they used the opportunity to find out if Colvin's good stretches last year was a fluke or not. If Jeff Baker became the primary first baseman I would be upset.

 

[Jntg4]

I'm just hoping that two things happen with Pena getting dealt:

1. The Cubs pick up the deferred money and get at least one to two legitimate prospects back for him that aren't 3 years away.

2. The Cubs bring Vitters up to see what we have in the guy. I wouldn't mind seeing him play 1B right now since it appears like that might be his defensive position for now. Go out and sign Fielder, and then send Vitters to the Arizona Fall League to learn how to play the OF.

Or he could be like Castro and play in a Caribbean League... which has the potential for a lot more playoff experience:
Colombian Professional Baseball League
Dominican Professional Baseball League
Mexican Pacific League
Nicaraguan Professional Baseball League
Puerto Rico Baseball League
Venezuelan Professional Baseball League
Veracruz Winter League

It gives him a bigger break between the season and off-season league (winter vs. fall). The Dominican Professional Baseball League, the Mexican Pacific League, the Puerto Rico Baseball League, and the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League face off in the Caribbean Series after their own playoffs, adding the potential for extra playoff experience.

Then there is the Australian Baseball League, owned by the MLB, not sure if they accept non-Australians though.

 

[dabynsky]

I would prefer the Arizona Fall League because there are closer ties to Major League Baseball which would allow the Cubs coaches closer monitoring of him, but really either would be a good option.

For my second scenario to come true though there are a lot of ifs. The Cubs would have to call him up, play him everyday, and he would have to have success at this level. Then the Cubs would have to go out and sign Fielder which is far from a slam dunk on many different levels.

 

[cubsneedmiracle]

I'd rather Vitters keep progressing instead of potentially hurting his confidence being called up too soon.

 

[EnjoyYourTiger]

If the Cubs don't sign Pujols or Fielder (not that this will happen, no need to bust my balls or call me a homer, this is just hypothetically speaking here), and Pena isn't dealt at the trade deadline, I'd consider keeping him for another year or two if it was less than $10 million a year. Maybe $5-6 million a year for two years or $7-8 for one. But definitely no more than that. He's a decent glove and he's finally finding his power stride. So we'll see.

 

[dabynsky]

The Cubs have pushed Vitters aggressively through the system. While he has struggled early on at each stop he usually adjusts and begins crushing the ball. I agree that we should do what is best for his development, but everything he has done so far has suggested that he has the mental makeup to deal with adversity.

 

[DewsSox79]

If the Cubs don't sign Pujols or Fielder (not that this will happen, no need to bust my balls or call me a homer, this is just hypothetically speaking here), and Pena isn't dealt at the trade deadline, I'd consider keeping him for another year or two if it was less than $10 million a year. Maybe $5-6 million a year for two years or $7-8 for one. But definitely no more than that. He's a decent glove and he's finally finding his power stride. So we'll see.

nothing wrong with that approach actually at all. you can build in other areas