I don't mind having Pena, and I don't mind trading Allen. But I really do think Allen had more value than this.

 

Pena is the superior pitcher in terms of stuff. With a 95-96 mph fastball and a slider he throws from 84-89, Pena should, within the next couple years, hit 80 Ks/season. His slider can be sharp or it can be a slurve-type slow bender. Right now he’s at 23 Ks in 31 IP. He’s got a 2.84 ERA, a 1.11 WHIP, and a .227 OBA. His K/9 has been around 6.5 in his three MLB seasons, but it’s strange to see a hard-throwing reliever with such low OBA, OBP-allowed (.294), and SLG %-allowed (.336) totals plateau in the mid sixes. I think that’s a product of immaturity–Pena just doesn’t have a lot of experience.

 

The other problem is that Pena has had trouble commanding his pitches. Last year he averaged 14.3 pitches/inning, and this year he’s stalled at 14.6. But that’s still better than Lyon, who, at 15.1, is right at his career average of 15.7.

 

Pena is 6-2, 219. He’s got a closer’s body, a closer’s mentality, and closer-type stuff. If he can be solid the rest of the year, I think he could be closing in 2009. Lyon, who just notched his 20th straight scoreless appearance, is a free agent in ‘09. Pena is making $400 K in ‘08, and isn’t arbitration-eligible till 2010. And he can’t become a free agent till 2013. With Chad Qualls pitching well, the Diamondbacks don’t have much incentive to hand Lyon a contract. Qualls works the eighth, and Pena works the ninth.

 

2008 is only Pena’s 4th season as a professional pitcher. He was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2002; he went from AA in ‘05–his first minor-league season–to pitching for Arizona in ‘06. So it’s very possible that he’s still learning at the MLB-level. He’s not unlike Rafael Soriano, who could’ve been a great closer as early as 2004 had he not undergone TJ surgery.

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I can't believe we're in page 6 and don't have a "Coop will fix him."

I fail to see how this improves the team this year or for the next few years.

 

Pena is not the answer to any question other than: "Name a failed reliever who gives up runs in the 7th inning."

I can't believe we're in page 6 and don't have a "Coop will fix him."

Frankly, that's exactly what this sounds like. Except we gave up more than Joe Borchard.

I fail to see how this improves the team this year or for the next few years.

 

Pena is not the answer to any question other than: "Name a failed reliever who gives up runs in the 7th inning."

 

That's exactly what his role will be next year, that of 7th inning set-up man.

Maybe we are about to trade Dotel?

 

That's exactly what his role will be next year, that of 7th inning set-up man.

So, he's replacing Dotel.

Question: Is Viciedo tall enough to play 1st base?

Maybe we are about to trade Dotel?

Dotel for Brandon Allen?

we may overvalue Allen a bit, but his power is real. Just looked at what he did in B-Ham last year in so few at-bats, and mind you B-Ham is a brutal hitter's park. He also is pretty darn athletic at first base and really has cut his strikeouts down. I just don't understand how a guy like Shelby can't net you a mediocre, 27-year-old reliever, because he probably could have.

Allen's HR/BIA% was more than fluky last year at B'ham and he definitely shouldn't have been considered untradeable (and obviously wasn't), but still, a f***ing reliever? Are you kidding us Kenny?

So, he's replacing Dotel.

 

Yes...who we better trade if we're out of it come the deadline. I actually would be fine trading him even if we're in it, especially if a team like Florida views him as a closer.

Frankly, that's exactly what this sounds like. Except we gave up more than Joe Borchard.

 

Except he's actually shown he can be really good before.

Question: Is Viciedo tall enough to play 1st base?

5'11".

Yes...who we better trade if we're out of it come the deadline. I actually would be fine trading him even if we're in it, especially if a team like Florida views him as a closer.

 

Good point.

 

And we know Florida has some good prospects.

Maybe we are about to trade Dotel?

 

If KW could find a way to trade Contreras/Dotel for a big package (spare me the gay jokes), I would love it.

Yes...who we better trade if we're out of it come the deadline. I actually would be fine trading him even if we're in it, especially if a team like Florida views him as a closer.

KW better be trading Dotel for a couple of good prospects, then.

5'11".

 

Is he really only 5'11? Wow...

this trade has me hearin crickets chirp....we have to be setting up for another deal...maybe poreda and some others for halladay...thats the only thing i can think of....

If KW could find a way to trade Contreras/Dotel for a big package (spare me the gay jokes), I would love it.

You thought of it first.

 

 

If KW could find a way to trade Contreras/Dotel for a big package (spare me the gay jokes), I would love it.

I spit out my ice cream just reading this.

A few things:

 

1) If there was any doubt, Williams is buying barring a July collapse.

2) Pena probably replaces Dotel's role on the roster next season.

3) He's a power arm, 27 years old, and under the team's control until 2013. I'm sure Williams sees untapped potential here. I'm not excited about acquiring him, but the Sox have a good track record in getting the best out of some of these type guys.

This is absolute bulls***. I am so f***ing pissed, right now.

I really think this is a set up move. I don't know if that set up move is surprising everyone and trading Jenks, or trading Dotel or putting Linebrink on the DL. Maybe we plan on moving Carrasco to the rotation? I don't know, but I really think this is a set up move for something else.

 

Plus, IIRC, Pena has some legit stuff, but has struggled to get good results. I'll take my chances with Coop, he has a good track record when it comes to fixing pitchers.

 

And I agree with others, Allen was pretty overrated on here. I thought he was a solid prospect, but not this future Adrian Gonzalez people were making him out to be. I thought he'd make sense as a part of a bigger package, but I don't mind it at all.

This is absolute bulls***. I am so f***ing pissed, right now.

 

I thought Allen had a bright future as early as next season, but I'm not upset about the Sox trying to make a run for it this season.