Tigers cut Pena

[Big_Mac]

http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060326&content_id=1362988&vkey=spt2006news&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

I admit I don't follow the Tigers too much and have just sort of heard about Pena's decline. When he was traded to you guys, he was a premier prospect. I would like too know from you guys what the real problem was? Was he inconsistent, could he not hit for power or was he just flat-out a big-league bust?

[racosun]

It would have to be his inconsistent ways at the plate. His defense is regarded as being top-notch, and he can really mash the ball when he's on. He was never able to turn the corner and become the player everyone thought he'd be. I can't say I'm saddened or surprised by this cut, as we have a younger and more consistent Chris Shelton taking on first base duties. The only reason Pena was kept last season was because he's a left-handed hitter with a great glove. That just wasn't enough anymore. Nobody can say he didn't get a chance to develop and prove himself.

[Andy1134]

Yeah. He was too inconsistent. You never knew what you were going to be getting from him on a day-to-day basis. I'd say it had to be done.

[KCGHOST]

He was a three-true-outcomes kind of guy that just drives fans and managers crazy. When you only hit .240 and your TTO percentage is 41% you might well find yourself unemployed.

[DoubleX]

It doesn't seem all that long ago when Pena was regarded as just about the best 1B prospect in the game.

[Captain Cold Nose]

I wonder if the Reds are going to go after him.

[racosun]

I'm positive someone will give him another chance. Heck, even Eric Munson has a good shot at making the Astros. Now that Pena has been cut, that's kind of whom I'd compare him to....Munson. Dave Dombrowski said, regarding the cut, something along the lines of "if he would have hit this spring anywhere near the way he did at the end of last season, we would have found a spot for him." Pena's got an MLB-calibur glove, maybe even Gold Glove-calibur defense, and he does have MLB power, he just doesn't know how to get through slumps or take advice. He hit well over .300 during his stint at Toledo last season, so he CAN hit, there's just some kind of mental block with this guy that causes him to think too much at the dish at the big level. There's still hope for Pena, just not here anymore.

[Paulmcall]

You can't say the Tigers didn't give the guy a chance.
He's another one of those "can't miss" guys you hear about who never pans out.
Gee, the Tigers have had a few of those over the years...haven't they?
Just be glad that Shelton did pan out.

[George & Al]

Hopefully we can't add him to the list of players who play well -- EXCEPT when in a Tigers Uniform... I won't mention any names (Ausmus, Luis Gonzalez, Ken Hill, Phil Neven, John Wetteland, et all).

[Paulmcall]

I just don't see him turning it around at this point. He has had numerous chances and failed. I think he's one of those guys that just can't stand any pressure. He will do well on a minor league team or when the season is all but over but choke when the heat is on.
The only place he consistently played well at was in Cleveland.

[TonyStarks]

I'm a bit disappointed in Pena.

He's got that ugly word I hate attached to him, "potential".
He's got so much of it but he hasn't been able to piece it all together.

I think Pena can become a a contributer in a few years if he can stick around.
Maybe he can do what Tony Clark did...move on and then catch on later on.

[Paulmcall]

I don't think Carlos is as good as Tony. I'm afraid he is washed up at an early age. Hopefully, he has invested his money well and can move on to a life after baseball.

[tigers527]

The one thing I noticed about Pena.

This years spring training not withstanding, Pena seems to heat up with the weather. I have tryed to look this fact up, but I do not have the acess to them super duper fantasy sites. Although a career .240 hitter I would venture to guess his numbers below room temp (72 degrees) are around .180 while above 72 degrees close to .300 maybe .285-.295 with much more power. He would do well to move to Texas or perhaps Arizona.

[tigers527]

where is Carlos (for those that did not hear)

I am sure you all know. But for those that don't about 2 days ago the NewYork Yankees signed Carlos Pena to a minor league deal. With Giambi stinking up the field with his glove, they hope Carlos shows something in the minors to bring up to field and hit 8th (or thereabouts)

[racosun]

Pena certainly does have a good glove. If he gets the call, Carlos might do pretty well for the Yankees. He was thrust into the power bat role as soon as he got to Detroit, and it was all downhill from there. He'd probably bat 7th or 8th for New York, which will relieve alot of pressure from him. I've read that if he doesn't get called up by a certain date, he can ask for his outright release. Sounds like a good risk for both sides. Hopefully he fares better in pinstripes than Weaver did.