Wily Mo Pena Released

This is going to make for a very interesting debate within front offices looking for a power hitting outfielder:

Wily Mo Pena or Gary Sheffield???

There goes the Phillies right handed bat. I wouldn't mind the Mets giving him a look either, I always got the feeling this guys was going to click and become a monster. He is still pretty young. He still has never gotten a full season of at bats, either.

"This is going to make for a very interesting debate within front offices looking for a power hitting outfielder:

Wily Mo Pena or Gary Sheffield???"

And they both have shoulder issues. The problem with Sheffield is that his once cannon-like throwing arm is gone due to his shoulder problems and I just don't see him as an effective fielder anymore. Pena is interesting, because he has shown the ability to play reasonably good defense in CF and absolutely murders the ball when he actually hits it. The problem is, as others have said, his discipline. Plate discipline has never been Sheffield's problem and if he is healthy, he can probably still go 20/20 with a .380+ OBP.

Move him to texas, make him the next OF rejuvanted career project, it worked well for the last two guys why cant Willy Mo revive his career here? Other than our stacked outfield, loaded farm system, and better talent this makes perfect sense! On a serious note I hope the best for Willy I was always a fan of his watching him play for the Reds. I hope he finds a good fit for him and finds a way to fix whats wrong with his swing, was really an absolute stud in the minors, he has the power all his needs to work on is hitting for an average and walks, easier said than done yes, but possible.

And is Chris Carter news, the Sox gave him their final spot on the 25 man to back up first base and OF. He hasn't played a real game in 2009 and has already proven more valuable than Wily Mo.

"Wily Mo Pena or Gary Sheffield???"

WMP is the younger, still has power "potential," and is less likely to cause major problems. He'll get a job first. But the fact is he's been damaged goods for a long time. Reds fans have to be smiling right now...

"And is Chris Carter news, the Sox gave him their final spot on the 25 man to back up first base and OF"

Very happy about that, the man has a great bat.

Wily Mo Pena would benefit from a year of playing every day in Triple A.

Getting him regular playing time in the minors would likely be better for development than rotting on the bench as a part-time player. He could be the next Nelson Cruz type of story.

I think Wily Mo Pena would benefit of the pressure and spotlight off him and needs to finally learn how to recognize a slider. Since he's going to make $2m this season anyways, he might as well do what's best for his development and accept playing every day in Triple A.

Well said yanks09. This guy still has monster power potential, he just has never gotten to play. He has had a few 200-300 at bat stretches where he shows some serious life in that bat, but then never gets to keep it going because of lack of PT. He definitely needs to go somewhere and get 500 at bats and there is still hope for him imo.

Since 04, WMP has had stints where he posted OPS+ of 115, 105, 110, and 124, in stretches of 336, 311, 276, and 133 AB's. He has struggled at times in between these stretches, but again, he has never had a chance to get every day at bats. He is still relatively young (27), and he still has untapped potential. Some team should look to give him 500 AB's, and see what this guy really is.

Pena defintely needs a chance.

He's never even had 400AB's in a season, major or minors (or combined). He does strike out a lot, and really doesn't walk enough to make up for it. But the only way he is ever going to improve is to actually play.

Maybe he could end up in Florida. Although he would essentially be replacing the same player in Cody Ross, another high K, low BB, low OBP power hitter. Ross is probably a little better in the field, too. Too bad both bat right-handed...