Carlos believers

[freddy]

If spring training is any indication of his year coming, I think he'll surprise a whole lot of people. He might even repeat last years stats.
He actually calls me every other game to tell me about his homers, indicating he is still in it to perform well not just the cash. I think the whole team will benifit from his attitude and I'm looking forward to a very good year from our Rays.
WILD CARD HOPEFUL

[raysnbran]

I hope you're right, but even a 35 HR, 100 RBI season would be well worth it. I picked him early as my starting 1B on one of my fantasy teams, so I have a vested interest in seeing him do well

[raysnbran]

2 HRs, 5 RBI tonight so far vs the O's

[zengator]

GREAT pick for my fantasy team, if I say so myself. And the others laughed at me... LAUGHED!

[Edgartohof]

2 HR's, 6 RBI, 2 BB's!!!! I mean the guy was walked with the bases LOADED!!!

[Eddiey]

Carlos is hitting only .216 with 5 homers and 12 rbi's. Imagine what his stats
will be when he starts hitting for more average.

[raysnbran]

Freddy, have you spoken to Carlos lately? He needs to start producing if he wants to stay in the cleanup slot...

[Imgran]

Not time yet to worry about Carlos Pena. Not only is there plenty of time for his offense to pick up, but he's got no shortage of homers and he plays good defense. He'll pick it up.

[freddy]

[QUOTE=raysnbran;1180405]Freddy, have you spoken to Carlos lately? He needs to start producing if he wants to stay in the cleanup slot...[/QUO

I have spoken to him a couple weeks ago, he's been all over the place with bats long, shorter, lighter heavier. I asked him if he would mind if I gave my opinion he said sure go ahead. I tell him please toss all your new model bats in the garbage or give them to the minor team and go back to what you used last year and it's only a matter of time before things are back to normal. He was very appreciative of my honesty. Lets hope he listens.
Everyone of my players that signed a BIG contract in the off season is playing well below there capacity. Maybe earning 8 figures a year takes a little getting used to!!!!!!!!!! Miguel Cabrera Carlos Robinson Cano to name a few

[raysnbran]

He seems to be uppercutting everything, last year he hit a lot of line drive gap hits along with all the HRs. He also seems to be thinking about the mechanics of his swing as he makes it, very deliberate motion, instead of using his instincts and natural ability take over. It's like a pitcher thinking of all the mechanical things he does in his windup and delivery and overthinking the process, rather than just letting it rip which got him to the majors in the first place. Just my .02 cents...

[Imgran]

At the end of the yeaer Carlos will hit between .230 and .270 with a lot of walks and a lot of homers. You got a career year out of him last year but there's no reason Pena can't be a solid Adam Dunn type for the Rays given a full season's playing time. And if he flags, there's Hinske.

One thing to watch for: Carlos said that he liked Tampa last year because there weren't a billion expectations heaped on his head. Now he's got himself a huge contract and the Rays are in the middle of a pennant race. All the expectations are back and with them, you've got a nervous young hitter out there. It's down to the manager and hitting coach to find ways to take the pressure off the big guy and it's up to Carlos to get comfortable in his own skin and start trusting his skills again.

[freddy]

very true

Raysnbran and Imgran, you guys are probably right on the money.
I'm going to suggest he logs on here and read what has been written.
Don't know if he'll listen but...you never know. Maybe I can get him to post