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Rays Sign Carlos Pena

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | January 24, 2012 at 3:12pm CDT

The Rays have signed Carlos Pena to a one-year deal that will bring the powerful first baseman back to Tampa Bay, the team announced. The Scott Boras client will earn $7.25MM in 2012.

“Carlos is one of the most accomplished players in team history and he is a great fit for our club in 2012 both on and off the field,” Rays executive VP of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said. “He adds to our offense with his power while maintaining the high defensive standard we seek.”

Carlos Pena - Rays

Pena, 33, posted a .225/.357/.462 line with 28 home runs in 606 plate appearances for the Cubs in 2011. He earned $10MM last, when the Rays spent $42MM on their entire Major League payroll. Pena averaged 36 home runs and a .238/.368/.516 line in his four seasons in Tampa Bay from 2007-10. Just 9.36% of 15,700 people who participated in MLBTR's December poll expected Pena to return to Tampa Bay. 

The Rays have added substantial power to the lineup in Pena and Luke Scott. Casey Kotchman, who played first base for the Rays in 2011, will presumably sign elsewhere — possibly in Cleveland — now that the Rays no longer have an opening at first base. Potential suitors for Pena such as the Yankees, Tigers and Indians will have to turn elsewhere for power bats.

The Cubs offered Pena arbitration after the season, so they'll earn a compensatory draft pick for losing the Type B free agent. However, the Rays don't have to surrender a pick to add Pena. Pena ranked 16th on MLBTR's list of top free agents entering the offseason.

Jon Heyman of CBS Sports first reported the agreement, after Yahoo's Tim Brown reported that the Rays were "in pretty deep" with Pena. Photo courtesy Icon SMI.

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View Comments (148)
Post a Comment

148 Comments

  1. diesel2410

    13 years ago

    JALAPENA! Welcome back!!

    Reply
    • Ron Loreski

      13 years ago

      on a steeek

      Reply
  2. Onetimeaccount

    13 years ago

    Pena and Scott, good replacements over Damon and Kotchman.

    Reply
    • 101andcounting

      13 years ago

      Replacing high-average and low-power with low-average and high-power

      Reply
    • Gibson17

      13 years ago

      Haha…see, I told you I could be totally wrong and they could sign him!  I think this was a good move for them.  I didn’t like the Luke Scott signing, but that’s probably at least partly because I think Luke Scott is a knucklehead.

      Reply
    • Thomas Wilson

      13 years ago

      Ryan Howard 2011 .253/.346/.488 11.6BB% 26.7K% 33HR Bad D Salary 25 MilCarlos Pena 2011.225/.357/.462 16.7BB% 26.6K% 29HR Good D Salary 7.35 Mil

      Reply
      • Tko11

        13 years ago

        Bill James would approve. 

        Reply
    • Mike Murrill

      13 years ago

      good call…… Damon and Kotchman have better OPS.. I will take (2) .290 hitters over a 28HR .225 hitter and Luke Scott any day… HR or K, that’s about it for these two

      Reply
      • Onetimeaccount

        13 years ago

        Well thats cool I guess but like I said, they replaced Damon and Kotchman. Damon and Kotchman are not .290 hitters.

        Scott has stats too you know, and he averages almost .850 OPS.

        You’re kidding yourself harder than me right now if you actually think Kotchman will replicate anything close to 2011 ever again.

        Damon has lost all plate discipline in his search for hit # 3000. Can he still play DH? Sure.
        But Scott can play it better.

        Pena is better than Kotchman in every way except for batting average.

        Reply
      • vikray

        13 years ago

        DH and 1B are two positions where you need some power, especially when
        the ‘defense’ positions of SS and C pretty much just drove down air
        conditioning costs at the Trop last year with all those whiffs. Pena hit more homers and walked more than Kotch and Damon combined last year. Don’t get me wrong, I’ll miss Damon, but his AVG and OBP have declined the past three years and he hasn’t hit that .290 mark since he hit over .300 with the Yanks in 08. Kotch exceeded expectations but even if he reproduces his 2011 numbers a first baseman who drove in under 50 runs over an entire season won’t cut it on a contending team.

        Reply
  3. MeowMeow

    13 years ago

    Good move by the Rays, I think. Just thinking the other day that the Rays are a solid first base option away from contending again.

    Reply
  4. mwach1

    13 years ago

    Well that sucks. I was hoping Cashman would swoop in and sign him. How much do we think the deal was for? 1 year at about $8mm?

    Reply
    • diesel2410

      13 years ago

      I’d say 2/14 or 1/7 with an option

      Reply
      • diesel2410

        13 years ago

        $7.25 million on a 1 year deal. I was close

        Reply
        • scott brecht

          13 years ago

          yeah.  i was thinking 2/15.  didn’t think he would sign a 1 year deal again.  nice move by the rays.  

          Reply
      • slider32

        13 years ago

        That would be a 3 million cut from last year.

        Reply
        • Mikey Roederer

          13 years ago

          except when you add in the 5M he just got paid by the Cubs for this season…

          Reply
          • brian310

            13 years ago

            He’s including it with that statement…it was a one year, $10 mill deal with 5 mill being paid last season and 5 mill being paid this month

            Reply
    • Onetimeaccount

      13 years ago

      I’m thinking a multi-year deal, but yeah around 8mm for year 1.

      Reply
      • Onetimeaccount

        13 years ago

        boo only one year. oh well ill take it.

        Reply
    • $3513744

      13 years ago

      $250 mil over 10 years with a 5 year player option.

      Reply
  5. Shane Davison

    13 years ago

    thats a tough batting average to swallow in the AL East

    Reply
    • Shane Davison

      13 years ago

      Last batted .196 on the Rays in almost 500 PA’s

      Reply
      • Matt

        13 years ago

        That was accompanied by a .222 BABIP, which is low even for someone like Pena, and well below is .278 career BABIP. As a Ray’s fan, we need power, which is exactly what he brings with his.248 career ISO.

        Reply
        • MB923

          13 years ago

          I’m usually not one of those guys who fixes people’s grammar mistakes. (Hey I make plenty myself). But since you typed your sentences well, I thought I’d let you know there is a spelling mistake. It’s not Ray’s, it’s Rays.

          Reply
          • Tko11

            13 years ago

            Unless the Rays actually own Matt. Maybe they are that desperate for fans. 

            Reply
      • Matt

        13 years ago

        And seriously, who rely’s that much on battle average anymore? 

        Reply
        • MB923

          13 years ago

          And it’s relies, not rely’s.

          Reply
    • Onetimeaccount

      13 years ago

      He was a good fit for the Rays before, and hes a good fit for them now.

      Reply
    • Jon Stark

      13 years ago

      He consistently OPSes over .800.   His batting average isn’t that important.

      Reply
      • Jeffrey C Ditmer

        13 years ago

        lets not forget the fact that pena and crawford were the leaders when the rays went to world series and penas defense is equal to kotchmans id say and you get more power and heart. love longoria but penas leadership is far more contagious to the rest of the players

        Reply
        • Infield Fly

          13 years ago

          …And that pre-game boogie he does in the dugout is a happy plus! 🙂

          Reply
  6. RBIBaseball

    13 years ago

    Watch the Yanks sign Kotchman now.

    Reply
    • Mark M

      13 years ago

      To DH? Lol.

      Reply
    • Onetimeaccount

      13 years ago

      You don’t sign kotchman to hit lol.

      Reply
      • RBIBaseball

        13 years ago

        Projected .268/.344/.402 slash line next year. He doesn’t need to hit the longball. Just has to get a hit.

        Reply
        • Mark M

          13 years ago

          You get Kotchman to play great defense as well.  And given the Yankees have arguably the best defensive 1B right now, it seems superfluous.

          Reply
          • RBIBaseball

            13 years ago

            You use him at 1B when you need to give Teix a half day off.

            Reply
        • Onetimeaccount

          13 years ago

          I like to look at what he’s done before, than what someone thinks he might do in the future.

          Reply
          • RBIBaseball

            13 years ago

            Um..trying actually looking at his stats pretty consistent with that projection. 2010 he had a fluke year where he had a .229 Babip. Yankees don”t need another guy to hit homers they need a guy who can draw a walk or get a base hit.

            Reply
            • Matt Manzella

              13 years ago

              Very good points here. Yanks have plenty of power. 

              Reply
            • Onetimeaccount

              13 years ago

              What’s his 162 game average babip? 2011 was near .335 (fluke year).

              Reply
              • RBIBaseball

                13 years ago

                Well regression is in order, I know that but  Kotchman isn’t going to regress to 2010 levels either.

                Reply
  7. James Coughlin

    13 years ago

    He hit 30 points better in his season with the cubs where he earned $10 million so he should be getting a raise…

    Reply
    • bleedrockiepurple

      13 years ago

      No sir. 7.25 mil on 1 yr deal.

      Reply
      • James Coughlin

        13 years ago

        It was a joke, because him getting $10 million for a .195 BA was a joke.

        Reply
    • Cosmo3

      13 years ago

      You’re not taking the Hendry Factor into consideration. 

      Reply
  8. OnlyInCleveland

    13 years ago

    Much rather have seen Pena in Cleveland than Kotchman… especially with him signing for 7.25MM… much cheaper than I expected. Go figure that how things shake out in Cleveland.

    Would rather see them use the bullpen depth they have and swing a trade for someone else…. If the Angels aren’t interested in moving Trumbo, who could be a potential suitor?

    Reply
  9. Natsfan89

    13 years ago

    Damn. Was hoping the the Nats/Rays would work something out for LaRoche or Morse

    Reply
    • faceforest

      13 years ago

      For who on the Rays?

      Reply
      • Natsfan89

        13 years ago

        Upton. Rays needed a first baseman, Nats need a CF and it was rumored that Rizzo is in love Upton.

        Reply
        • $1529282

          13 years ago

          Except Upton had trade value and LaRoche doesn’t.

          Reply
          • R.D.

            13 years ago

            Well, until the All-star break at least. When Adam LaRoche turns into a superstar.

            Reply
  10. Bobby G

    13 years ago

    Woooooo Hooooooo PENA!!!!!

    Reply
  11. MetsEventually

    13 years ago

    Why didn’t the Rays resign Kotch? 

    Reply
    • diesel2410

      13 years ago

      Because he can’t hit for power. And do you actually think he can duplicate last year’s performance? Not me

      Reply
  12. faceforest

    13 years ago

    As much as I like Kotchman, Pena is a better player.

    Reply
  13. bjsguess

    13 years ago

    I’m actually surprised he got $7m – especially from the Rays. Was there that much demand for him?

    He’ll be worth it but I didn’t think the market was breaking right for him to cash in.

    Reply
  14. alan104

    13 years ago

    Holy Jalapena !! It’s a thing of beauty to watch Carlos swat those majestic homers and pick errant throws out of the dirt. The pitchers and former team mates will gladly welcome him back. I just wish he’d find a way to figure the shift and cut down on those awfuls whiffs.

    Reply
  15. TribeGuy

    13 years ago

    I guess Indians will have to go with Kotchman or wait to see where Fielder signs, I’m sad for this

    Reply
  16. John K Lee

    13 years ago

    Oh no, I was hoping for tigers to sign him…but Rays is my second best team so good luck Calrose

    Reply
  17. Les Johnson

    13 years ago

    Very nice signing by the Rays. 

    Reply
  18. vtadave

    13 years ago

    LF Jennings
    2B Zobrist
    1B Pena
    3B Longoria
    DH Scott
    CF Upton
    RF Joyce
    SS Rodriguez
    C Molina

    Not bad.

    Reply
    • Lefty

      13 years ago

      Rays New Line-UP VS. the Orioles Current line-up as of 1/20/12

      LF Who knows?
      2B TBD… I like Andino, but others do not
      1B Who knows! I hear Chris Davis is back and Reynolds to 3rd
      DH Who Knows?
      CF Adam Jones, then again who knows. Since Fan Fest is tomorrow and if the O’s were going to trade him. They should have done it by now.
      RF Markakis when he recovers fully
      SS Hardy
      C Wieters

      Rotation: More Question Marks, than the Riddlers outfit in the “Campy” Batman Series from the 60’s!
      Not Good! Way to go “Dumpster Diving” Duquette!
      Buying “Them” Cheap and Stacking “Them” Deep! Just how Angelos Likes “Them”

      Reply
      • FS54 2

        13 years ago

        I like the “open lineup”.

        Reply
    • javywoz

      13 years ago

      Might have been a mistake, but there’s no way the Rays bat Pena 3rd.  He’ll bat 4th or 5th (depending upon Joyce’s progress). 

      Reply
    • Michael Sabin

      13 years ago

      i would have put pena in the 4 spot. or maybe scott. i dont know i just love longo in the 3 spot. 

      Reply
    • Michael Sabin

      13 years ago

      i would have put pena in the 4 spot. or maybe scott. i dont know i just love longo in the 3 spot. 

      Reply
    • Michael Moses 2

      13 years ago

      More like:
      LF Jennings (R)
      2B Zobrist (S)
      3B Longoria (R)
      1B Pena (L)
      CF Upton (R)
      DH Scott (L)
      RF Joyce (L)
      C Molina (R)
      SS Rodriguez (R)

      Of course predicting a Maddon lineup is an exercise in futility.

      Reply
      • zack

        13 years ago

        LF Jennings (R)
        CF Upton (R)
        3B Longoria (R)
        1B Pena (L)
        DH Scott (L)
        2B Zobrist (S)
        RF Joyce (L)
        C Molina (R)
        SS Rodriguez (R)/ Brignac (L)

        Reply
        • javywoz

          13 years ago

          This will likely be the lineup except with Zobrist flipping with Scott verse lefthanders.  Zobrist probably should bat 2nd, but Upton produced a 1.000+ OPS at the end of the year when Maddon moved him up to 2nd.  He won’t mess with that until Upton proves otherwise I think. 

          Reply
  19. alan104

    13 years ago

    Things have shaped up nicely. I wish Kotchman and Damon well. They were tremendous contributors to last years team. Scott and Pena will add much needed pop to this line-up. Great signing.

    Reply
  20. NJMAXsports

    13 years ago

    With Pena’s LH/RH split so bad, I really saw him a perfect fit for the Yankees as their LH DH. But good for him getting a full time gig. I gotta imagine he will likely only see 1/2 the LH starters this season.

    Reply
    • Karan

      13 years ago

      I had commented the exact same thing regarding Pena and Yankees. It was just too perfect to happen

      Reply
    • GrayhawkAZ

      13 years ago

      Newsflash: he is NOT playing full time.. The have a right hand compliment in a AAA player who hit lefties to a tune of .350

      Reply
  21. optionn

    13 years ago

    Getting rid of Damon and Kotchman are additions by subtractions in and of itself.

    Reply
  22. thegrayrace

    13 years ago

    Only $875,000 more than James Loney will cost the Dodgers this season.

    Good job, Ned.

    Reply
    • whatever

      13 years ago

      Seems fair. Loney was about just as good.

      Reply
  23. thegrayrace

    13 years ago

    Only $875,000 more than James Loney will cost the Dodgers this season.

    Good job, Ned.

    Reply
  24. tfsmag

    13 years ago

    hope he can hit better than .225 for the Rays. The only thing he was good for last season was saving Castro from making even more errant throws and meaningless home runs! (.175 avg with RISP)

    Reply
  25. Hordak Sanchez

    13 years ago

    I don’t know why the A’s didn’t sign this guy to DH…

    Reply
    • gmenfan 2

      13 years ago

      Because they’re apparently “very interested” in 112 games of Manny Ramirez now.

      Reply
  26. LUWahooNatFan

    13 years ago

    Wow.. the little baby got my comment removed. Get a sense of humor, there was nothing offensive about what I posted

    Reply
  27. slider32

    13 years ago

    I wouldn’t expect the Sox to collapse again this year. It should be a three team race with the Yanks with the best chance to repeat.

    Reply
    • GrayhawkAZ

      13 years ago

      Your right it might not need to get that far.. They have one of the worst SP rotations in the AL that is trending down. I mean did you see those SP numbers in the second half… Their aging hitters trending down in Ortiz, Youkilis, etc. 
      Beckett, Clay (still missing 3 mphs on his fastball) trending down and the worst SP contract in the MLB in Lackey. 
      Lester is very good but they are moving a reliever with poor K/BB to the rotation is their answer. They need that NY/Seattle trade for them, expect their farm system is not as good because of trades for players.
      They are still going to score runs.. But prevent them.. hmm.. haven’t done anything yet.. Rays and Yankees have gotten better in the meantime

      Reply
  28. Jeffrey C Ditmer

    13 years ago

    i think bj in his contract year is going to finally hit for a better average. powers always been there prolly wont improve much but with better average everything else for him falls into place

    Reply
  29. Dennis

    13 years ago

     That’s $17 mil for two years. For a .220 hitter?  Absolutely crazy.

    Reply
  30. Otownpr

    13 years ago

    You guys should have learned by now to not question any of the Rays moves…every year is the same!     

    Reply
    • NYPOTENCE

      13 years ago

      As far as I’m concerned the Rays moves haven’t gotten them a title.

      Reply
      • GrayhawkAZ

        13 years ago

        Coming from a New York fan, no one would expect differently.. 

        Reply

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