Tony Pena or Brandon McCarthy?

[Buehrlesque]

McCarthy was cut by the Rangers last month and has dealt with a bunch of injuries over the last few years, but he could benefit from a move to a part time starter/part time reliever. At the same time Tony Pena, despite the high price the Sox paid to acquire him, isn't really anything special and will likely make about $2 million next year if offered arbitration.

 

Assuming McCarthy could be had for $1 million or less, which scenario would you choose: bring back Pena at ~$2 million or DFA Pena and replace him with the less-expensive McCarthy?

 

Maybe not a huge decision, but McCarthy has the higher ceiling (especially if you're not sold on Pena, which I'm not) despite the injury risk and would save KW a million plus that he cold use elsewhere. Thoughts?

[kjshoe04]

Pena.

[sircaffey]

McCarthy's not getting a ML deal from anyone. Plus, his stuff hasn't been the stuff we saw pre-injuries. If the choice in between the 2, it's definitely Pena.

[LittleHurt05]

Long Reliever: Pena

 

60-day DL spot: McCarthy

[chetkincaid]

Didn't McCarthy burn a few bridges on his way out of town when he was traded to the Rangers?

 

Maybe a return to Coop can get him back in some form. He'd be alright for a project, but I wouldn't expect to get anything out of him.

[fathom]

Yeah, no chance McCarthy is being brought back to this organization.

[maggsmaggs]

Neither?? Sean Lowe circa 2001. I still remember his clutch fake-to-third, throw-to-first pickoff move against the Cubs.

Edited November 22, 2010 by maggsmaggs

[justBLAZE]

Man, after a big hot stove opening day, this has been a rather slow week in the White Sox/MLB offseason.

 

 

[Buehrlesque]

Man, after a big hot stove opening day, this has been a rather slow week in the White Sox/MLB offseason.

Haha, I was thinking the same thing when I started this thread.

[southsider2k5]

Didn't McCarthy burn a few bridges on his way out of town when he was traded to the Rangers?

 

Maybe a return to Coop can get him back in some form. He'd be alright for a project, but I wouldn't expect to get anything out of him.

 

IIRC, it was actually the other way around. I believe it was Ozzie who had something to say about who he hung around with and what his late night habits were.

[elrockinMT]

You need to stay away from injury prone pitchers. We have one that was supposed to be our ace so we don't need two

[Steve9347]

Pena.

 

[southsider2k5]

If Brandon wants to come back here at all, the most I would do is offer him a minor league deal with an invite to spring training. I sure wouldn't clear a spot out of our rotation just for him. I'd with with Sale first, and then Pena before I would count on Bmac.

[Buehrlesque]

McCarthy's not getting a ML deal from anyone. Plus, his stuff hasn't been the stuff we saw pre-injuries. If the choice in between the 2, it's definitely Pena.

 

 

If Brandon wants to come back here at all, the most I would do is offer him a minor league deal with an invite to spring training. I sure wouldn't clear a spot out of our rotation just for him. I'd with with Sale first, and then Pena before I would count on Bmac.

 

Injuries or not, I bet McCarthy gets ML deal from someone.

[bschmaranz]

Didn't McCarthy say something tremendously stupid to the media about being excited to play in Texas because he hated playing in hot weather?

[DGSOXFan14]

I know its MLBTR but I read this and thought id contribute:

 

At Least 7 Teams Interested In Brandon McCarthy

 

 

[chw42]

Neither as a starter...

[jphat007]

Pena was awful as a starter at the end of the year. I can't stand that guy. I'd rather have Carlos f***ing Torres out there and he might be the worst pitcher in history.

[Rowand44]

Pena was awful as a starter at the end of the year. I can't stand that guy. I'd rather have Carlos f***ing Torres out there and he might be the worst pitcher in history.

He started two freakin games at the end of the season(one of which happened to be a quality start), hardly enough of a sample size to make a decision on him as a starter.

[witesoxfan]

He also had a start where the threw 6 perfect innings and got touch up in the middle of them

[ThunderBolt]

I know that the circumstances have changed now that BA is gone, but i still don't think Ozzie would take a shine to having Brandon back.

[Jerksticks]

I like Pena, but he really needs to take a step this year.

[Texsox]

If Brandon wants to come back here at all, the most I would do is offer him a minor league deal with an invite to spring training. I sure wouldn't clear a spot out of our rotation just for him. I'd with with Sale first, and then Pena before I would count on Bmac.

 

^^^^ x2

[balfanman]

McCarthy was cut by the Rangers last month and has dealt with a bunch of injuries over the last few years, but he could benefit from a move to a part time starter/part time reliever. At the same time Tony Pena, despite the high price the Sox paid to acquire him, isn't really anything special

 

What is this "high price" that was paid for Tony Pena? Brandon Allen has proven nothing at the major league level and most likely never will be anything near an all star. Tony Pena, while not reaching all star level either, has at least been a very serviceable major league reliever. At this point the Sox have the better end of that trade and I would bet that 5 years from now we will still be considered the winner of that trade.

[Swingandalongonetoleft]

Pena is quite sufficient at janitorial duties. If it's a question of starting, I'd rather roll the dice on McCarthy.