Cubs sign 1B Carlos Pena

[ELCABALLO45]

Jon Heyman just tweeted this.

 

http://twitter.com/SI_JonHeyman

[danzig6767]

Hopefully it's about a 6yr deal at 100 million http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

[UeckerAddict]

Well, my projections for strikeouts by Brewer pitchers this year just went up.

[jjkoestler]

Sadly its only for 1 year @ $10m.

[HiAndTight]

Sadly its only for 1 year @ $10m.

Pretty much perfect for the Cubs to make a play on Prince next year......

[Funketown]

If he's as bad as he was last year, this could be a fun signing. It's a pretty big gamble for the Cubs, and I'll admit I'm a bit worried he'll be as good as he was in 2007-2008.

[paul253]

Well if Chicago is planning on making a move for Prince after this year, we'd all better hope they don't finish in the bottom half of the standings. This is a good move by them. If Pena has a good year, they can sign him long term or offer him arby knowing he'll likely walk looking for a multi year contract. They can then get some comp picks for him and sign Prince. If he has a bad year, they let him go and make a play on Prince anyway. Seems like a no lose situation.

[MJLiverock]

Paul253 you just hit on my biggest fear for the keep Prince for the picks scenario. Some big money team like the Mets, Cubs, Dodgers, Mariners, even Orioles, could suck next year and sign Prince and have their first rounder protected.

[monty57]

I know it was just one person's opinion, but I recently read in an article that Pena could be a good pick-up, as his power and plate discipline were still there, and it shouldn't be difficult to increase on the .190's batting average. It will be fun listening to the Cubs fans if he once again bats .190 with huge strikeout numbers, knowing they're paying him $10MM.

 

HiandTight, your post sent shivers down my spine. I'm stuck in Illinois surrounded by Cubs fans. I really don't want Prince to go there unless it's a 20-year $400MM deal :-)

[crewcrazy]

This is a pretty solid deal for the Cubs, unfortunately. 2010 was a down year, but his BABIP was only .222, and it's a one-year "prove it" deal. Defensively, he's not a total butcher, and he's still a very patient hitter at the plate. They'll have plenty of pop in that lineup if Ramirez can get back to being 100% healthy.

[vannzee]

Good defense at first, great teammate and good power but with a horrible average. He is going to have a monster year in Wrigley power wise.

[monkeyman343434]

I hope this is a sign the Cubs will sign Prince. As long as it's at least a 5 year deal. I'd LOVE to watch Aramis making throws across the diamond to Prince. It's making me laugh just thinking about it now.

[bucksbeat]

Hmmm.. I think Prince's defensive shortcomings are being greatly exaggerated now. It would be a nightmare if he'd land in the NL Central. You just know he'd murder us for the duration of his contract.