Carlos Pena

[Invader3K]

Supposedly the Brewers might be interested in pursuing Carlos Pena. Tweet from @BerniesCrew (Jim Breen):

In the wake of the Aramis Ramirez signing, a source told me the #Brewers are determining if they have the money to pursue 1B Carlos Pena.

I don't think it's a horrible idea, but it sure seems like the Brewers don't really have much faith in Gamel/McGehee.

[Raw Biz]

I don't see how Pena would represent any upgrade over Gamel.

[RockCoCougars]

I don't see how Pena would represent any upgrade over Gamel.

I agree. He's better defensively probably, but I'd rather take my chances with Gamel at the plate. Pena wouldn't come cheaply, either. For some explicable reason, he turned down arby with the Cubs, so he's looking for big money.

 

I don't know about anyone else, but this off season is starting to shape up a lot like '92/'93, only with a ton of money spent. This team is losing a lot of key contributors. I sure hope that they don't start plugging holes with older guys that were once fringe all stars but now are clearly past their primes like Pena (back then it was guys like Brunansky, Doran and Thon).

[docduany]

Please no. I'd really like to see what Gamel can do. Signing Pena would almost defiantly mean a salary dump for K-Rod. I'd like to hang onto K-Rod. I know the numbers say otherwise, but I don't think Pena is all that.

[Hate those Rodents]

I was pleasantly surprised we went after and got Ramirez, as I originally earmarked Melvin for signing Pena for sure. I may have spoken too soon. Can Pena play some corner outfield in a pinch?

[PrinceEatMeat]

Pena is a good player, and is proven. Gamel isn't. Nonetheless, I'd like to see at least one of our young guys get a shot, and right now that has to be Gamel. I think he could turn into a great player.

[trwi7]

Nearly a .900 OPS against righties last year and in his career. As long as they use him as a strong side platoon player and get him a right handed platoon partner, I don't see what would be so bad about this. I'd like to see Gamel get a shot but it's not like Pena is a scrub.

[brewtank34]

Give Gamel a shot. Once he gets his confidence that he's an everyday player, his bat will prove itself. It has in the minors. He just needs some confidence in the show.

No thanks to Pena. No more Cubs! (even though I'm very happy with the Ramirez signing)

[Raw Biz]

Nearly a .900 OPS against righties last year and in his career. As long as they use him as a strong side platoon player and get him a right handed platoon partner, I don't see what would be so bad about this. I'd like to see Gamel get a shot but it's not like Pena is a scrub.

Except there isn't a right handed platoon partner or a position for him to play. Gamel should get the job at 1B. Pena will cost too much anyway and since we have KRod and ARam, we don't need to keep adding high-priced vets.

[PrinceEatMeat]

No, absolutely not. I wouldn't be mad by any means. I'd be happy to pick up Pena. Gotta be the right price though. I don't think McGehee is a good platoon mate for him either, so we'd have to find someone else. I know there were a lot of people clamoring for Pena over Ramirez, having both would be sweet.

[Hate those Rodents]

If Roenicke were better at playing subs and young guys more in a reserve role, I wouldn't mind the move. I'd love to have Gamel as our third corner outfielder and backup 1b if RRR would get him 3-400 at-bats. And love for Green to get 300 at-bats between 2b and 3b. But these guys will both rot with RRR.

 

Two things...

 

1 - Where are the trades to improve the club

2 ' Since Morales played for RRR in LA, why are we not pursuing him

[FoxyFoxes]

If it is between Krod and Carlos Pena I pick Krod every time. KRod+Gamel> Loe/Kintzler/anyone on team bullpen+Pena. Who wouldn't agree with this?

[dadofandrew]

I doubt if it is coincidence this came out a few days after Braun's possible suspension. Mat could well be in LF for most of the 50 games, and Pena is outstanding versus RHP. Both would be best with a platoon partner.

[brettac1]

I'm a big fan of Pena, but I do want to see Gamel play every day somewhere.

[KCBrewerfan34]

Can Gamel play LF? (yet another position chnage).

 

I guess a lefty would help balance the lineup somewhat.

[sheetskout]

The only thing that would hold me back is that Pena is a righty. The lineup is simply to RH-heavy as it is. I would be more comfortable with Pena in there vs. Gamel though. Pena is also an obvious upgrade defensively.

[brewmann04]

well i hope if Gamel gets off to a slow start at 1st base those guys will come back here and read their posts.

[trwi7]

sheetskout wrote:

---

The only thing that would hold me back is that Pena is a righty

Since when?

[fondybrewfan]

The payroll is to high as it is; Gamel is cheap and has proven himself in the minors. Just give him the job and hope for the best. Gamel and Krod is way better than Pena and whatever scrap heap relievers Melvin picks up after dumping Krod.

[RockCoCougars]

sheetskout wrote:

---

The only thing that would hold me back is that Pena is a righty

Since when?He looked like a natural righty last season when he was hitting left handed against the Brewers. I'm still trying to figure out why this guy declined arbitration.

[dadofandrew]

Pena was the fallback in case Ramirez signed elsewhere. He'll be a solid platoon player next year. He's an OBP machine.

[DocLuna7]

The other option is that the team really doesn't have any plans for Gamel at 1B and are considering trading him. I am not quite sure what we can hope to get back in a trade, but it just seems like the team is not sold on Gamel at all.

[The Truth]

Interesting. I think they should stop messing with Gamel and instead start him every day and enjoy his talent for the next 5 years. Pena is a proven talent, I understand that, but I sure wouldn't want Pena if it would mean losing K-Rod!

[Warning Track Power]

The only way I would consider this is if Pena is signed to play 1B and Gamel goes to LF while Braun is suspended. As soon as Braun returns, Gamel goes to play 1B and Pena becomes a super expensive backup. As this is the most unrealistic scenario I can imagine, I don't think I have interest in Pena. I am a Gamel guy and think we should throw him out there to see what we have.

 

At this point, I'd be far more interested in a RH 1B off the bench to serve as insurance in case Gamel doesn't play to my expectations. Derrek Lee comes to mind. In fact even if Gamel were to play expectations, I'd still be interested in Lee as a PH/backup 1B role.

[TooLiveBrew]

.846

.827

.850

.923

.839

.884

.912

 

Those are Gamel's year-by-year OPS numbers as a minor leaguer. The one thing known for sure about him is that he can hit. I agree, The Truth - It's time to let him start doing that at the big-league level.