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Yankees Looking For Hitting, Carlos Pena On “Radar”

By Mark Polishuk | January 13, 2012 at 8:48pm CDT

Now that the Yankees have addressed their pitching issues with two major transactions, the club is looking to add some offense, reports Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com.  Carlos Pena is "now on their radar," and Heyman says the Bronx Bombers could be looking at other hitters as well.

Pena, a Scott Boras client, hit .225/.357/.462 with 28 homers for the Cubs last season.  He has been linked the Rays and Indians this winter, though overall it's been a fairly quiet offseason for the free agent slugger due to the presence of Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder in the free agent first base market.  If he signed with New York, Pena would become the team's primary designated hitter, with Alex Rodriguez or Andruw Jones getting the occasional start at DH when the Yankees faced a left-hander.  The Yankees put in a waiver claim on Pena in August but the Cubs pulled him back.

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New York Yankees Carlos Pena

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118 Comments

  1. rfffr

    14 years ago

    Isn’t Pena a better fielder than Teixera?

    Reply
    • notsureifsrs

      14 years ago

      nope

      Reply
    • Jay

      14 years ago

      Not by a long shot. 

      Reply
    • Guest 5054

      14 years ago

      awkward. 

      Reply
    • jljr222

      14 years ago

      Pena is a good defensive player, but Tex is a freaking cat at first base.

      Reply
    • RedEyedDream

      14 years ago

      Teixeira is one of the best fielding first basemen of this generation. He probably saves the infielders well over 20 errors a season. Plus his glove is like adhesive, he can nab almost any ball hit down the line, or on the 1B side of the hole between 1st and 2nd. He also has a nack for catching foul pop ups closer to the right fielder than catcher. 

      Reply
  2. Guest 5055

    14 years ago

    I’m hearing AJ Burnett for Adam Dunn straight up. 

    Reply
    • MB923

      14 years ago

      I hope you’re hearing wrong

      Reply
    • YanksFanSince78

      14 years ago

      I would do that deal, especially if we can get the Sox to throw in some cash. $12 mil for Dunn in 2012 vs $16.5 for AJ helps us save some money for 2012. I think Dunn will do better with Kevin Long to help.

      Reply
      • fxx3605

        14 years ago

        id keep him ajs contract is almost up, its easier to get a carlos pena type for dh for now than get dunn for another 3(4?) years/ we dont need that much offense/ while the bs can be called up id rather they not be rushed in case of a pitcher getting hurt and time to time aj can suprise you

        Reply
        • YanksFanSince78

          14 years ago

          Yanks have lots of depth at AAA as Warren, Phelps and Mitchell all pitched the entire 2011 season there. I can’t imagine any of those three couldn’t produce a sub 5 ERA.

          Reply
    • hardcoreforhardcore

      14 years ago

      I know Dunn was flat out awful last season, but in the Yanks’ lineup and in that park…sheesh. I could see a massive bounceback. Granted, I doubt this would ever happen but I would be on board.

      Reply
    • wrestlingcritic

      14 years ago

      that would be a god awful trade for the yankees

      Reply
    • Abraham Berrio

      14 years ago

      nah i dont think so. burnett has been struggling for 2 years now, dunn only 1. plus burnett makes more $ than dunn. maybe a young player or low end prospect along with burnett will do it, but not straight up. also, if both of them were on their primes, dunn obviously is more valuable than burnett, so again, no.

      Reply
    • Too Many Idiots

      14 years ago

      You’re “hearing” as in you heard this on some fan site from people playing GM.

      Reply
    • Too Many Idiots

      14 years ago

      You’re “hearing” as in you heard this on some fan site from people playing GM.

      Reply
  3. Joseph Cecala

    14 years ago

    50 hrs in YS3 with a .200 batting average

    Reply
  4. shockey12 2

    14 years ago

    He would be a monster pulling balls into right field in Yankee stadium

    Reply
  5. fxx3605

    14 years ago

    first they trade a hitter for a pitcher sign another pitcher now they want another hitter! these people need to make up there minds /s/

    Reply
    • Abraham Berrio

      14 years ago

      lol clearly u dont understand what baseball is about

      Reply
      • fxx3605

        14 years ago

        and clearly you dont know what /s/ means

        Reply
        • Chris

          14 years ago

          im guessin /s/ means sarcasm lol

          Reply
  6. Raton El Grande

    14 years ago

    Great pickup if they get him. Buy low. 

    Reply
  7. Raton El Grande

    14 years ago

    Source liar?

    Reply
  8. MB923

    14 years ago

    Thumbs up to anyone who 3+ hours ago would have predicted a headline saying the Yankees are looking for hitting.

    Reply
    • Guest 5053

      14 years ago

      yeah, that reminds me, I think I put a grilled cheese in the oven about 3 hours ago..

      Reply
      • coreif

        14 years ago

        Mte, I was all set to watch a movie and relax tonight. Now all this has taken up quite a lot of my time.

        Reply
  9. wickedkevin

    14 years ago

    No Bernie Williams!  They don’t want you!

    Reply
  10. jjs91

    14 years ago

    I like matsui or damon better easier to sit, and give players half a day off i feel pena would want to play everyday

    Reply
    • Chris

      14 years ago

      i wouldnt mind seein one of those two back in pinstripes for a year. Matsui needs to retire where he started. and Damon even at his age is a beast and a big clutch hitter. that was the yanks problem in the post season. guys on base but could not bring them in to score. hopefully long can fix pena. btw wasnt this the same carlos pena that billy beane traded back in 02? may be wrong.

      Reply
  11. wickedkevin

    14 years ago

    Still available!

    Reply
  12. phoenix2042

    14 years ago

    Pena’s defense is wasted at DH.  He is good in the field.  They should sign a more DH only guy like Matsui or Johnny Damon…

    Reply
    • Jay

      14 years ago

      Would love Damon back.

      Reply
      • slider32

        14 years ago

        Burnett minus 4 million for 2 years and Hughes for Hanley Rimirez.

        Reply
        • GriffeyandSizemore

          14 years ago

          favorite post of the week.

          Reply
        • leachim2

          14 years ago

          Try out for the comedy club bro.

          Reply
        • JacksTigers

          14 years ago

          I choked on my own tongue after reading this.

          Reply
        • Abraham Berrio

          14 years ago

          wow, u shouldve applied for the gm job the red sox had vacant

          Reply
        • MetsMagic

          14 years ago

          I…I…don’t even…

          Reply
    • Too Many Idiots

      14 years ago

      What defense?  He’s rated below average replacement player level!

      Reply
    • notsureifsrs

      14 years ago

      if either of those players were as talented offensively as pena that would make sense. but they aren’t

      Reply
    • YanksFanSince78

      14 years ago

      I think that’s a horrible idea. Matsui and Damon are good guys but their time with the Yanks has passed. 

      28 hrs and a 16% walk rate? I’ll take that.

      Reply
      • sdsny

        14 years ago

        That 16% walk rate also comes with like an 80% K rate…

        Reply
        • YanksFanSince78

          14 years ago

          more like 26% but ok? and? his ISO was still top 20 in the majors and in that ballpark and in that lineup he might be better.

          Reply
    • YanksFanSince78

      14 years ago

      Why in the world would Pena’s defense being a negative and make Matsui or Damon a better option? Pena, even with the off year he had, still had a better OPS than either of them, hit more hrs than either of them and had a higher walk % than both combined.

      Reply
  13. chris_synan1

    14 years ago

    he hits like 70 home runs with a .100 average

    Reply
  14. coreif

    14 years ago

    There are only a few scenarios that would take off the blow I felt from losing Montero. Carlos Pena, Hideki Matsui, and Johnny Damon are not any of them.
    However, these would be somewhat more pleasurable:
    1. Sign Cespedes. Swisher DHs
    2. Sign Fielder short term.
    3. Burnett for Dunn.

    Reply
    • Too Many Idiots

      14 years ago

      Cespedes?  You’re really impressed with Youtube videos and jumping over boxes.

      Reply
      • Joseph Cecala

        14 years ago

        Cody Ransom knew how to jump over boxes

        Reply
      • coreif

        14 years ago

        Actually, I barely watched 3 minutes of it.

        Reply
    • wickedkevin

      14 years ago

      Is this Nelson?

      Reply
    • JacksTigers

      14 years ago

      This is why people are annoyed by Yankee fans.

      Reply
    • Chris

      14 years ago

      cespedes wasnt he the one who went 0-3 in the DR league the other night? the guy cant even hit a curveball. yeah id pass on him. especially for the contract he wants.

      Reply
      • JacksTigers

        14 years ago

        It is no surprise that you are a fan and not a GM when you are judging a player on one game. Alex Avila struck out three times on Opening Day. He must be awful.

        Reply
    • Piro

      14 years ago

      i saw Cespedes play in the dominican winter league yesterday and he looks too vulnerable to the slider. He had 4 PA 3 K’s 1 HBP. He struck out 3 times swinging at a slider. I think he needs to go to the minors first.

      Reply
  15. dunagan_josh

    14 years ago

    The Yankees should get prince fielder or Damon or matsui do not mess around with Carlos Pena

    Reply
  16. stl_cards16

    14 years ago

    Pena is just a cover up to speak to Boras about the real hitter they want. They will be in on Fielder soon.

    Reply
    • Chris

      14 years ago

      i wouldnt be surprised if they are. but being in on a guy and actually getting him is two different things.

      Reply
  17. Freddie G

    14 years ago

    Damon is 37, that ship has sailed

    Reply
  18. Snoochies8

    14 years ago

    Why?

    Reply
  19. William Lappe

    14 years ago

    Magglio Ordenez and Vlad are still available too……..just saying, rather Pena honestly, but someone with pop.

    Reply
  20. Hayden "The Nomad" Miller

    14 years ago

    No… this is stupid. The yankees have plenty of low average big power type hitters, plus it makes so much more sense to just keep the DH spot open for rotating old people.

    Reply
  21. MurderersRow27

    14 years ago

    I was sad to see Montero go, but happy with the moves the Yankees made today. With that in mind, I would rather the Yankees go after Damon on a 1yr. deal than Pena, that is if they’re ONLY looking for offense. Yeah Pena can hit homeruns, but he doesn’t do much more than that. Damon is the better hitter of the 2, and if they’re only looking for offense, why not go back to Damon. The guy is a proven winner and would slot nicely into the DH role for the Yankees this season. He’d also cost less money than Pena would too.

    Reply
    • jjs91

      14 years ago

      Ya he also gets on base alot more than damon

      Reply
    • YanksFanSince78

      14 years ago

      I like Damon as a person but what’s this reminiscing of 2009 that some of you are feeling?

      2011 Damon: .261/.326/.418 w/ 16hrs and a 8% walk rate.

      2011 Matsui:  .251/.321/.375 w/ 12 hrs and a 10% walk rate.

      2011 Pena:    .225/.357/.462 w/ 28 hrs and a 17% walk rate.

      Pena’s bat avg is a bit lower but .250-.260 isn’t a huge advantage for DamSui. Pena hit the same amount of HRS combined as DamSui. Pena had almost the same walk % as DamSui. On top of that, Pena can actually play a position and be an emergency back up should Tex suffer an injury. Otherwise, we would have to move Swisher to 1B and then have a subpar replacement for Swisher in the OF. 

      I don’t see Pena getting more than a $8 to $10 mil 1 year deal and despite the lux tax ramifications, I don’t see it as an issue. 

      Reply
  22. E Anderson

    14 years ago

    They need a PT/FT 3B for the long term. An A-Rod caddy if you will. Who would be available?

    Reply
    • sdsny

      14 years ago

      Eduardo Nunez.  He’s already on the team.

      Reply
  23. NYPOTENCE

    14 years ago

    Have a feeling the Yankees have their eyes on the Prince.

    Reply
    • wrestlingcritic

      14 years ago

      i dont know if theyd be willing to pay the luxury tax for one player

      Reply
      • Chris

        14 years ago

        if their signing him for one year, the luxury tax would not be an issue. that way prince can go into FA next year with a better year under his belt after hitting at the stadiumm and wont have pujols to compete with in FA lol. could benefit both him and the yankees, the yankees get the power bat and can let him play 1b when tex needs days off, and fielder raises his stock for next off season to get that bigger contract, or could take a trade to another team in the middle of the year.

        Reply
        • wrestlingcritic

          14 years ago

          No matter the amount, I just don’t see him signing someplace for only 1 year

          Reply
    • wickedkevin

      14 years ago

      Nah, he’s just blocking the view.

      Reply
  24. jigokusabre

    14 years ago

    Why not just sign Prince?

    Anyhoe, if they refuse to pay Prince’s salary, Derek Lee would be a lot cheaper and just as effective as Pena.

    Reply
  25. Encarnacion's Parrot

    14 years ago

    It’s like Cashman just woke up from his hibernation and realized that half the off-season is over.

    Reply
    • YanksFanSince78

      14 years ago

      No I think Cashman used patience and it may have paid off. One of the article says that both teams have been talking about this trade for weeks. I give Cashman credit for waiting the market out and seeing what the alternatives were. he waited out Kuroda and got him for the deal he wanted.

      Reply
  26. Enzo250

    14 years ago

    With Fielder possibly signing with the Rangers. Trade for Michael Young.

    Reply
    • Caballo14

      14 years ago

      I thought I heard that the Rangers WON’T SIGN both Darvish AND Fielder. Anyways I would like Prince on a 3 year deal with the Yankees

      Reply
      • Enzo250

        14 years ago

        If Prince is being offered 6 year deal for $22-24 million per year. I don’t see him taking a 3 year deal.

        Rangers sign Fielder. Opt not to sign Darvish.
        Yankees trade Burnett for Michael Young.

        Burnett and Young are both owed $32-33 million for the next two seasons.

        Reply
        • GriffeyandSizemore

          14 years ago

          Then the Yankees trade A-rod for Longoria and Matt Moore!

          Reply
        • Chris

          14 years ago

          rangers wont sign fielder. if fielder signs with anyone itll end up being the nationals. somethings telling me their about to throw a big contract at him. their looking to contend now and fielder is the missing piece.

          Reply
      • Chris

        14 years ago

        the rangers wont sign both, but their getting prepared for when they cant sign darvish.

        Reply
        • Enzo250

          14 years ago

          In the event that Rangers do sign Fielder. Young may request trade. Like he did last winter, when the Rangers signed Beltre. Yankees are on his wish list.

          Young does have a no-trade clause, but per the Dallas Star-Telegram has given the Rangers a list of eight teams to which he would accept a trade. In addition to the Yankees, they are: St. Louis, Minnesota, Houston, Colorado, San Diego and both teams in Los Angeles.

          Reply
    • YanksFanSince78

      14 years ago

      I think the Rangers would want “real prospects” and the prospects they would want are prospects we probably don’t want to give up for Young. Signing Pena for a 1 year deal is much safer and doesn’t cost us picks or prospects and unless the Rangers want AJ, which they don’t, then it would save us from absorbing Young’s 2/$33 mil owed.

      Reply
  27. slider32

    14 years ago

    I’d take Vlad over Matsui, Damon, or Pena. Prince would just be over kill. Second thought Pena might be the right fit in Yankee stadium, he could hit 35/100

    Reply
  28. Abraham Berrio

    14 years ago

    hmmm ok pena would make sense for the yankees but i still think, now that the yanks have excess pitching, they will trade at least one of their pitchers and another young talented player for a player who can bat for dh

    Reply
    • YanksFanSince78

      14 years ago

      That’s such a waste. Why trade prospects for what will more than likely NOT be a superstar impact bat when you can sign a FA on a 1 year deal?

      Reply
  29. bklyn56

    14 years ago

    Give me Johnny Damon any day of the week over Pena…Lets get Johnny back 🙂
    With Montero gone we need a DH and Johnny is a perfect fit along with being a 5th outfielder…hes got alot of baseball left in him and he thrived at Yankee Stadium.

    Reply
    • YanksFanSince78

      14 years ago

      How does he have a lot of baseball in him? Did you not see his 2011 numbers compared to Pena’s?

      Reply
      • bklyn56

        14 years ago

        Pena cant run…he doesnt hit for average and he wants to play the field.
        He doesnt hit in the clutch.Damon will do much better power wise in Yankee Stadium. His offense is on par with Nick Swisher playing in yankee stadium.
        Johnny has been doing the DH part time outfiekd thing for a few years now.He’s more suited and adjusted to the role.

        Reply
  30. tdot32

    14 years ago

    pena would not be bad in NYS

    Reply
  31. slider32

    14 years ago

    I wonder what it would take to get a player like Either, Wright, or Lee for one year. They are all free agents next year.

    Reply
  32. slider32

    14 years ago

    The way Cashman’s working he will pull a hitter out of nowhere. I do like Pena and Vlad.

    Reply
  33. Too Many Idiots

    14 years ago

    Why chase Pena?  The Yankees already have a version of Pena in the minors by the name of Jorge Vazquez.

    Reply
    • Corey Italiano

      14 years ago

      Vazquez doesn’t get on base. All he does is K and hit home runs

      Reply
    • YanksFanSince78

      14 years ago

      If Vazquez is striking out at an alarming 33% and walking at a dismal 6% at AAA then what do you think he’s going to do at the mlb level?

      PLEASE have more respect for what an mlb player does vs a minor leaguer. There is ZERO reason to expect Vazquez to out perform , or come close, to what Pena did in 2011.

      Reply
      • Too Many Idiots

        14 years ago

        Yeah, his .200 batting average deserves soooo much respect.

        Reply
  34. Allan Linden

    14 years ago

    Check Pena’s splits against RH pitchers last year (Which is all he would face as a Yankee in 2012)
    baseball-reference.com/players/split.cgi?id=penaca…

    460 PAs, 373ABs, 21HR, 61RBI, .255Avg, .892 OPS.  If he does that as a Yankee Lefty DH that would be perfect. 

    Reply
    • disgustedcubfan

      14 years ago

      There’s no way to quantify this, but Pena also crushed at least 12 balls that died on the warning track at Wrigley due to gale force winds blowing straight in.
      I could see him hitting 35+ homers a year, getting regular at bats vs righties at the Stadium.

      Reply
    • YanksFanSince78

      14 years ago

      I would not be shocked if Kevin Long didn’t work with him to improve his numbers vs lefties like he did with Granderson last year.

      Reply
      • levendis

        14 years ago

        platoon him with Andrew Jones and you wont even have to worry about that

        Reply
  35. Aaron Ebbs

    14 years ago

    Save the money have Nunez Fill in as 3B, SS, 2B, RF, LF Gardner can play center with nunez in left everyone stays fresh and nunez is an everyday player

    Reply

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