Boston gets OF Pena for RHP Arroyo

Post by **retep** » Mon Mar 20, 2006 10:29 am

Boston gets OF Pena for RHP Arroyo
By HOWARD ULMAN, AP Sports Writer
March 20, 2006

The Boston Red Sox traded right-handed pitcher Bronson Arroyo to the Cincinnati Reds for outfielder Wily Mo Pena on Monday March 20, 2006.
AP - Mar 20, 11:38 am EST

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) -- The Boston Red Sox traded pitcher Bronson Arroyo to the Cincinnati Reds for outfielder Wily Mo Pena on Monday.

Arroyo was 14-10 with a 4.51 ERA last season. The right-hander was part of a deep group of Red Sox starters and had taken a home-team discount when he signed a three-year contract worth $11.25 million on Jan. 19.

Pena batted .254 with 19 homers and 51 RBIs last season and struck out 116 times with 20 walks. A 24-year-old right-handed hitter, he could play right field instead of lefty Trot Nixon when left-handers pitch against Boston.

Without the 29-year-old Arroyo, Boston still has Curt Schilling, Tim Wakefield, Josh Beckett, Matt Clement, David Wells and Jon Papelbon as starters. Arroyo, who pitched five shutout innings Sunday after struggling in his first three exhibition appearances, was expected to start the season in the bullpen.

"They have a surplus of seven starting pitchers in their mind and I agree," Reds general manager Wayne Krivsky said. "They needed a right-handed bat to complement Trot Nixon. It all fell into place rather quickly. (Boston general manager) Theo Epstein and I have been talking about this for three or four days."

Arroyo had career highs last year with 14 wins, 32 starts and 205 1-3 innings pitched.

In the past four seasons, Pena batted .248 with 51 homers and 134 RBIs with the Reds.

Pena played for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic and had four singles in 10 at-bats in three games

"He's 24 years old. He's just a baby," said Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz, who played with Pena on the Dominican team. "You know this game. It's a learning process."

Pena said he was surprised by the deal. He is still considered a raw talent but has outstanding power.

The Reds freed up salary in the offseason by trading popular first baseman Sean Casey to Pittsburgh for left-hander Dave Williams. Williams has been spotty so far, but still expected to be in the rotation. Aaron Harang heads the rotation and was 11-13 with a 3.83 ERA in 32 starts last year.

Updated on Monday, Mar 20, 2006 1:08 pm EST

Post by **retep** » Mon Mar 20, 2006 10:32 am

I have just lost a lot of respect for the Boston Red Sox. Arroyo took between 4-7 million dollars less just to stay in Boston, and then they turn around and trade him. I think this is terrible.

People always say that they players have no ties to teams, and that they are in it for the money. But this year, look around: Big Hurt being kicked out of Chicago, Bagwell being pushed to quit, Arroyo, and a couple others I can't recall at the moment. This year, i think it is clear that the owners are the selfish ones who care little about the team unit.

TheLegend · Post by **TheLegend** » Mon Mar 20, 2006 12:36 pm

I have yet to read this article. But I was talking to Richard months ago about the A's going out to get Pena and dealing... oh I don't know... one of our 11 starting pitchers... this makes me sad. Pena would be a much better DH for us than than the Big I'm Hurt

Post by **Baseball=Life** » Mon Mar 20, 2006 12:47 pm

TheLegend wrote:I have yet to read this article. But I was talking to Richard months ago about the A's going out to get Pena and dealing... oh I don't know... one of our 11 starting pitchers... this makes me sad. Pena would be a much better DH for us than than the Big I'm Hurt

Let's hope you're wrong, Kenyatte. Yeah, Wily Mo does seem like a potentially more preferable option, but he has injury issues as well. He's never been an everyday player, so his productivity for a full season is really unknown. Plus the A's certainly don't need another outfielder.

TheLegend · Post by **TheLegend** » Mon Mar 20, 2006 1:56 pm

As an everyday player (at DH) Pena would be a 30 HR threat, imo moreso than Thomas, plus he's 23. Give him a few years and he could be the 40 HR threat that Oakland desperately needs. and still doesn't have

p.s. Pena wasn't an everyday starter because he was the 4th wheel in an outfield packed with stars, once the Reds moved Dunn to 1B, he was pretty much the guy... or so i thought...