Where does Pena go?

[dabynsky]

Phil Rogers:

Pena is batting .225 with 17 home runs and 44 RBIs. He signed a one-year contract to replace the departed Derrek Lee and must know contenders such as the Angels and Diamondbacks will consider him as they look for ways to improve before the July 31 trade deadline. But he insists the only thing he worries about is how to become more consistent at the plate, elevating his average along with his production.

"I don't imagine myself anywhere else,'' he said. "I don't look that far ahead.''

As productive as Pena has become, he is arguably expendable. His at-bats could be given to 28-year-old Bryan LaHair.
Signed to a minor-league contract two years ago, the left-handed-hitting LaHair has been one of the top hitters in the Pacific Coast League in 2010 and '11, this season hitting .361 with 21 homers and 60 RBIs in 74 games.

Finances would be a key question in any Pena trade talks. In order to get quality prospects back, the Cubs might have to be willing to pay the $5 million that Pena is owed after this season.

First Phil is certainly going to ride that LaHair train into the ground isn't he? Seriously is this the third article in a week mentioning LaHair as Pena's replacement for the rest of his season. His ABs should go to Colvin and/or Vitters, but will probably end up going to Jeff Baker.

Now for the real discussion where does Pena go and what can we get for him? Diamondbacks and Angels are mentioned in the article. I think the Giants could be fit. Pittsburgh is coming on strong and has Lyle Overbay playing first as well. White Sox would make some sense as well. Any other realistic destinations out there?

I am not sure what the price Cubs can get for Pena, but I am sure the price goes way up if the Cubs pick up the deferred money. And say what you will about Ricketts, but he did pick up some of Derrek Lee's money to net better prospects last time. I would have to think that a guy you have to pay about 2 million for the rest of the year that is OPSing .900 since May 1st ought to net at least one or two top prospects. He is just a rental, and is 33 years old though.

 

[Rice Cube]

He also likely carries Type B free agent status so there's that, assuming he declines arbitration.

I'd say any one of the AL West teams (except maybe Texas) would give him a go, that division is packed tight despite the A's sucking so much. Every other contending team already seems to have a good 1B option.

 

[dabynsky]

I actually kind of like the Pirates scenario a bit myself. Makes some sense since the team is above .500 and is in third place. The pitching has been there all year for them, but the offense is terrible in a lot of places. Upgrading from Overbay to Pena gives them an actual 4 hitter to plug behind McCutchen. If the Cubs took Overbay back in the deal (not for value mind you) in the deal and picked up the deferred money it would be even money deal for the Pirates.

Sad that I am proposing the Cubs selling to the Pirates instead of the other way around.

 

[waldo7239117]

Right now, my mind is still on the D'backs but he will be traded eventualy.

And Phil Rogers, stfu seriously...NO to LaHair. He's a Triple A player and that's all.

 

[tbo41fan]

Pena is probably my favorite CUB

 

[dabynsky]

Pena is probably my favorite CUB

Enjoy the last month that Pena ought to be on the team then...

 

[tbo41fan]

Enjoy the last month that Pena ought to be on the team then...

Im probably alone in saying I want him back next year and spend money on other parts of the team (Pitching, 2B, etc)

 

[dabynsky]

Im probably alone in saying I want him back next year and spend money on other parts of the team (Pitching, 2B, etc)

I would be if there was likely to be pitching worth spending on. Unforunately that won't be until the following offseason. The other reason to trade Pena is because he ought to bring in quite a haul. I could be wrong, and if teams are just going to low ball the Cubs I wouldn't mind him staying. I am just worried that are current GM has no incentive to make long term moves that make this a better organization.

 

[tbo41fan]

I would be if there was likely to be pitching worth spending on. Unforunately that won't be until the following offseason. The other reason to trade Pena is because he ought to bring in quite a haul. I could be wrong, and if teams are just going to low ball the Cubs I wouldn't mind him staying. I am just worried that are current GM has no incentive to make long term moves that make this a better organization.

Yea, I hear ya...

Pena is finally starting to heat up, and at a fraction of the price of Pujols and Fielder, I would rather just re-sign him and spend money to upgrade EVERYWHERE instead of spending 80% of our money on Fielder and have Fielder, Castro, and fillers

 

[CODE_BLUE56]

Pena is great trading bait right now

but lol@riding la hair's dick...if the cubs do give the green light to la hair i bet it wont end well..

i agree about giving colvin and maybe baker some of those ABs

not sure on vitters...maybe wait until next year

 

[dabynsky]

I wouldn't mind platooning Colvin and Baker at 1B for the rest of the year. I will make a case for Vitters coming up later when I can get the numbers in order. I am just looking to get Jackson and Colvin up here by August so that we can start seeing what the system has to offer.

 

[Rice Cube]

I think you make Vitters a September call-up. My reasoning is that if the Cubs plan on buying out Ramirez anyway, they can just release him after 8/31 (waiver trade deadline) and pay him the $2MM buyout, then let Vitters handle it for the rest of the year. See what happens.

 

[DewsSox79]

he will be a dback, and probably come back to the cubs next season since they wont be getting fielder or pujols.

 

[Uman85]

Im probably alone in saying I want him back next year and spend money on other parts of the team (Pitching, 2B, etc)

:hi5:

 

[poodski]

He also likely carries Type B free agent status so there's that, assuming he declines arbitration.

I'd say any one of the AL West teams (except maybe Texas) would give him a go, that division is packed tight despite the A's sucking so much. Every other contending team already seems to have a good 1B option.

I can't see anyway he would turn down arby.

Plus going into last month he was not projected to be a type B yet, but that probably changed with his recent surge.

Elias Rankings Update: MLB Rumors - MLBTradeRumors.com

 

[daddies3angels]

i think he goes to ARI.

 

[poodski]

I am going to guess San Francisco. Unless Brandon Belt comes back on fire.

Another possibility is the Indians with LaPorta not doing a whole lot there. Arizona maybe, but they have a pretty good offense as it is.

 

[daddies3angels]

I am going to guess San Francisco. Unless Brandon Belt comes back on fire.

Another possibility is the Indians with LaPorta not doing a whole lot there. Arizona maybe, but they have a pretty good offense as it is.

ARI dont really have a 1B though.

 

[dabynsky]

San Francisco and Pittsburgh are the only teams that have an absolute blackhole playing 1B. Amongst qualifers the lowest WAR amongst 1B is Aubrey Huff at -0.8 and Lyle Overbay at -0.7. Arizona didn't have a qualifier and their play at 1B has been equally bad. The Angels keep getting thrown out but Trumbo is actually hitting decently. I suppose Pena/Trumbo could play 1B and DH, but Abreu hasn't been bad this year in that role (DH).

 

[waldo7239117]

I have said Aiz for a while not and I'm sticking with them as the team to acquire Pena.