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Carlos Pena News & Rumors

Rays re-sign first baseman Carlos Peña
January 21
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Carlos Peña can be a loquacious and inspirational speaker, but on Friday he needed only two words — well, and five exclamation points — in a text message to convey how he felt about returning to the Rays: "Sooooo excited ... !!!!!" Peña is headed back after agreeing to terms on a one-year, $7.25 million contract that is expected to be officially announced — and thoroughly discussed — after his physical exam on Tuesday. The deal is the second step, following last week's signing of DH Luke Scott, of what the Rays project to be a significant upgrade of their offense. Peña averaged 36 homers and 102 RBIs during his 2007-10 stint with the Rays, while playing stellar defense and providing"
10 White Sox, Cubs file for free agency
October 31
Chicago Tribune
 
"Left-hander Mark Buehrle highlights a list of 10 White Sox and Cubs players who filed Sunday for free agency. That number could increase to 12 if the Sox decline a $3.75 million team option on reliever Jason Frasor or if Aramis Ramirez follows through on filing for free agency after telling the Cubs he will decline his $16 million option. The Cubs exercised their half of the mutual option Sunday night. Ramirez said in September he expected to decline if the Cubs exercised the option, holding out for a long-term deal on the free-agent market."
Carlos Pena sold on Theo Epstein's way of doing things
October 14
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Theo Epstein thought enough of Carlos Pena five years ago to sign him with the Red Sox organization. Does he think enough of Pena now to keep the pending free agent in a Cubs uniform next year? Pena, for one, thinks the hiring of Epstein as the Cubs' next GM bodes well for his chances. "No doubt,'' said Pena, who hit just .225 in his only season as the Cubs' first baseman — but whose 101 walks, .357 on-base percentage and left-handed power provided unique value to a mostly free-swinging lineup. "He is the type of person I definitely appreciate and a professional that I appreciate,'' added Pena, who played 11 games for Boston's Class AAA team in August before finishing that 2006 season with"
Aramis Ramirez, Carlos Pena making a case to stay with Cubs
September 8
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Surrounded by a lot of kids in the clubhouse and even more uncertainty out of it, Aramis Ramirez and Carlos Pena have made it clear they want to stay in Chicago, but neither has a clue whether he'll have any say in the matter. The Cubs haven't even hired the guy they'll need to talk to about it. So for now they'll settle for talking with their results over the last few weeks of the season. ''What I do on the field is going to be the answer to that,'' Ramirez said recently. Even more recently, he drove in two go-ahead runs with a double in the sixth Wednesday night, and — after the Cincinnati Reds came back to tie the game — Pena added the clinching three-run homer in the bottom of the"
Pena's 3-run homer lifts Cubs to 6-3 victory
September 8
Chicago Tribune
 
"If Mike Quade has learned anything in his first full season as Cubs manager, it's that people like to offer unsolicited advice on his starting lineup. Just as Dusty Baker was asked to play Ryan Theriot over Neifi Perez, and Lou Piniella was asked why he couldn't get Jake Fox more at-bats, Quade now is being questioned about whether he will find playing time for Bryan LaHair at first base or in the outfield. It's an occupational hazard for any Cubs manager, and Quade is no different. Except that Quade is fighting to keep his job for at least one more year, while Baker and Piniella were more established and didn't really care what anyone said about their lineups."
Cubs' Matt Garza, Carlos Pena are keepers
August 26
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Whether Carlos Pena is back at first base for the Cubs next season won't have nearly the impact as who joins Matt Garza in the starting rotation under the next general manager and/or manager. Neither could keep the Cubs from losing 8-3 to the Atlanta Braves on Thursday and consequently losing a series for only the second time this month. ''It is what it is, man,'' said Garza, who struggled with command at times and committed one of the Cubs' four errors. Three of the six runs he allowed were unearned. But Garza's continued presence at the front end of the rotation, along with returning veteran Ryan Dempster, looks critical to any turnaround the Cubs might hope to make any time soon. And"
Odds long on Pena leaving Cubs via waivers
August 25
Chicago Tribune
 
"While the Twitter world was abuzz with the Yankees reportedly claiming Carlos Pena on waivers, that certainly doesn't mean he's going anywhere. Almost every player on every team goes through the waiver process in August, but most either go unclaimed or their teams pull them back. Pena is believed to be among the latter group, unless interim general manager Randy Bush gets an offer he can't refuse. That's unlikely. Pena signed a unique contract last winter to get him to the Cubs, who didn't have much money to spend. He took $5 million during the season and $5 million before January 2012, so the Cubs are still on the hook for a bunch. Plus, there's no guarantee he won't be back next season,"
Pena: Z wasn't target of 'culture' observation
August 15
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Carlos Pena said he wasn't talking about Carlos Zambrano two weeks ago when he said the Cubs needed a ''culture'' change, including improved chemistry. ''I would never single out any one of my teammates because that would defeat the purpose of what I'm trying to say,'' Pena said of comments at the trading deadline that have been widely revisited and reframed in the wake of Zambrano's desertion Friday and his subsequent suspension. ''I'm talking about being united, being together, working for a common goal and being positive and expecting things to happen and really being proud to wear the uniform,'' said Pena, whose two-run homer in the seventh inning Sunday was the go-ahead shot in the"
Pena happy he wasn't traded, hopes to be back next year
August 1
Chicago Tribune
 
"First baseman Carlos Pena said he was happy to still be a Cub on Sunday, and hopes to return next year. If the Cubs can't afford to get in on the Prince Fielder sweepstakes, it's likely they will re-sign Pena, who shares Fielder's agent, Scott Boras. Either way, Pena was glad general manager Jim Hendry didn't make changes for change's sake. "I'd rather have someone really working toward our common goal, instead of (trading players) just for show," he said. "Our GM is not like that. He's not trying to 'look' like he's working. He's working. It's totally different than (thinking) 'I can fool the world by switching a couple pieces here,' and it really looks like he's making moves, making"
Hanging on to Carlos Pena would say a lot about Cubs' plans
July 24
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Carlos Pena will be back in the Cubs' lineup today after getting a day off against a left-hander Saturday. But what about a week from now? Or maybe a year from now? Could he still be part of the Cubs' lineup? With the non-waiver trade deadline one week from today, the Cubs' actions over the next seven days should reveal a glimpse into how drastically they plan to shake up the roster — and how deep they feel they can dig into their farm system — to turn around this year's mess. Pena, who signed that one-year, $10 million ''pillow contract'' in December, could be a key indicator. ''We all know where the deadline is and all that,'' Pena said. ''We're aware of that. But to be quite honest, I"
Pena 'maybe better than advertised'
July 24
Chicago Tribune
 
"Carlos Pena didn't hit his first homer as a Cub until May 20. He now has 20, which is second most in the majors during that stretch to the Blue Jays' Jose Bautista (22 before Saturday). Pena is working on a one-year, $10-million contract and it is widely assumed he won't be back next season. But manager Mike Quade isn't so sure. "Who knows, maybe he doesn't have to be replaced," he said. "That decision is a long way off." Pena has produced as advertised: Low average (.224), high strikeouts (101) and power (20 homers, 51 RBIs) in the middle of the lineup. "I'm glad he shook off a rough April," Quade said. "Maybe a lesser guy, who hasn't been here before, lets it carry over into a rough May"
Five Cubs most likely on contenders' radar
July 18
ESPN.com
 
"Chicago Cubs general manager Jim Hendry should be a busy man, fielding calls on some of his more desirable players, as the trading deadline quickly approaches on July 31. Here's a list of players who are most likely to be sought after by contending teams. Aramis Ramirez: There is lots of interest in the 33-year-old first baseman. The Detroit Tigers, New York Yankees, Los Angeles Angels and Cleveland Indians are his most likely suitors. This weekend, one of the Tigers' top scouts is watching the Cubs, and in particular, Ramirez. The Tigers have had interest in Ramirez for six weeks. The Yankees have had at least one scout watching the Cubs for at least three series in a row. With the"
Cubs' Carlos Pena ready for Home Run Derby if invited
July 5
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"With a week to go before the All-Star Game, the Cubs might have an outside chance of getting one or two more participants in the festivities in Phoenix. Shortstop Starlin Castro already is in as a reserve, along with manager Mike Quade as a coach. And top setup man Sean Marshall is on a short list of possible replacements if the National League is forced to drop a pitcher for injury or schedule reasons. ''There's always hope,'' Marshall said. ''But we're just going to work on the games this week and try and have some good innings and finish the first half of the season on a good note.'' But another Cubs player might have as good a chance as Marshall at getting a late trip to Phoenix: first"
Cubs 1st baseman has considerable value
June 29
Chicago Tribune
 
"Carlos Pena doesn't feel locked in at the plate, at least not by his own standards. But the veteran first baseman continues to make up for a slow start, torching opponents and creating value on the mid-season trade market. Pena, 33, was hitting .157 through May 2, homerless in his first 70 at-bats as a Cub. But that seems a long time ago now. His two-run homer off Ryan Vogelsong in the second inning Tuesday was his 10th in June and eighth in his last 12 games. He finished the 13-7 loss 1-for-4, and went 0-for-2 with two walks in Game 2, a lefty-lefty test vs. 2002 Cy Young winner Barry Zito. Pena's rise is a credit to his own work ethic and an understanding of the nature of a 162-game"
Pena, Ramirez back Garza with 2 HRs apiece
June 28
Chicago Tribune
 
"Mike Quade has the backs of his Cubs players, and many of his friends are watching out for him. One recent text message got his attention. "Someone texted me with a Winston Churchill quote — 'If you're going through hell, just keep going,'" Quade said. "I like that. It's short and sweet. I'd like to think we have a chance to walk out of hell in the second half." The cynic says dream on, and history says the cynic will probably be right. But optimism was the feeling of the day Monday at Wrigley Field, when one of the biggest weeks of the Cubs' season opened with a 7-3 victory over the Rockies. The game featured a strong performance by Matt Garza and two home runs apiece from Carlos Pena and"
Pena gets wrapped up in rivalry
June 5
Chicago Tribune
 
"Everyone knows Albert Pujols is one of the best hitters of this or any era, so his heroics Saturday didn't surprise anyone too much. "Yet everyone in the entire dugout, we thought we had him (in the 12th) and we thought we were going to get another shot at scoring some runs," Carlos Pena said after Pujols' walk-off homer ended it in the 12th inning5-4. "Unfortunately it didn't happen, but let's tip our cap. That was a very good pitch (from Jeff Samardzija). It was low, down almost in the dirt, and he hit it." Pena now has experienced the kind of classic game that has been part and parcel of the Cubs-Cardinals rivalry."
With Pena on DL, Harrell takes spot
May 30
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"The White Sox wasted no time throwing right-hander Lucas Harrell into the fire of a burning road trip after calling him up from Class AAA Charlotte on Sunday. After John Danks (0-8) was battered for nine runs and nine hits in four innings, Harrell came on to pitch in right-hander Tony Pena's customary long-relief spot. Pena was put on the 15-day disabled list with elbow tendinitis. Harrell, 25, was 4-2 with a 3.54 ERA in nine games, including eight starts, at Charlotte. He hadn't pitched in five days, so he was good to eat some innings, which manager Ozzie Guillen praised him for. Pena had been sidelined earlier this month with a tender elbow. He was 1-1 with a 6.20 ERA in 17 appearances."
Cubs, Pena come close, but fall to Diamondbacks
May 2
Chicago Tribune
 
"Carlos Pena's "pillow contract" has been anything but comfortable for the Cubs' new first baseman since arriving in Chicago. Pena has struggled to get in a groove in his first month, and turning a page on the calendar Sunday was a chance to put April in the rearview mirror. But just when it looked like Pena's home-run drought had finally ended, reality bit the Cubs in the backside again. Right-fielder Justin Upton caught Pena's would-be two-run home run at the top of the wall in the ninth inning Sunday, and the Diamondbacks wound up with a 4-3 win for a split in the four-game series. "Hand grenades, cigars … whatever the heck that (saying) is," manager Mike Quade said. Quade meant close"
Cubs trainers' creation gets thumbs-up from Carlos Pena
April 17
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"If the hits by Cubs first baseman Carlos Pena each of the last two nights are an indication his bat is starting to stir again, give a healthy dose of credit to Mark O'Neal and Ed Halbur. ''These guys are geniuses, man,'' Pena said of the Cubs' head athletic trainer and assistant trainer, who custom-molded a cast-like guard to protect Pena's injured right thumb under his glove while he plays in the field. ''Hopefully, that thing is going to really help me and protect it. It's not 100 percent, but it's so much better. I'm happy.'' Just a few days ago, Pena had trouble buttoning a shirt, never mind hitting with power, especially after a throw from third baseman Aramis Ramirez last Sunday"
Colvin makes good 1st impression on Pena
April 6
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Cubs first baseman Carlos Pena was out of the lineup Tuesday a day after suffering a sprained right thumb. Tyler Colvin couldn't have performed much better as Pena's backup. In his first major-league start at first, Colvin was flawless defensively, even turning a difficult 3-6-1 double play to cut short an eighth-inning threat. He drove in three of the Cubs' six runs with a two-run homer and a bases-loaded walk. ''I had a fun time,'' he said. ''I just trusted all my work from spring training and here. I'm ready for wherever [manager Mike Quade] wants to put me.'' Colvin may get more playing time at first while Pena recovers. Pena came out of Monday's game for a pinch hitter in the eighth"
Pena day-to-day after mild thumb sprain
April 5
MLB.com
 
"Cubs first baseman Carlos Pena came out of Monday's game because of a mild sprain of his right thumb, injured trying to catch a ball in the eighth inning. His status was day to day. Pena was pulled off the bag trying to catch shortstop Starlin Castro's throw on Justin Upton's grounder. The throw was wild and Castro was charged with an error."
Pena: Fans will love Garza's desire
April 3
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"The comparisons to Carlos Zambrano's anger-management issues hit the Chicago airwaves in January almost as soon as the news broke that the Cubs had acquired the fiery Matt Garza. But not so fast on those unfair comparisons, says Cubs first baseman Carlos Pena, Garza's teammate with the Tampa Bay Rays the last three seasons. ''I don't know what issues Carlos has. I know he is very intense as well,'' Pena said. ''But the intensity we're talking about here with Matt is controlling himself as far as wanting to be so, so, so good. To be able to step back and allow himself some room for error and allow himself to not be so hard on himself. ''It is his desire to just absolutely beat down the"
Pena wants Cubs to live for moment
April 3
Chicago Tribune
 
"The words of wisdom written on a clubhouse wall had nothing to do with the Cubs' comeback victory Saturday. But just in case, Carlos Pena said the Zen-like saying on the eraser board will stay one more day at least. "I think it's a good one, we'll leave it right there," he said with a laugh. The philosophical quote was: "You can't see the rising sun if your eyes are fixed on the setting one. Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That is why it is called present. Conquer the now." Some fingered Pena as the clubhouse philosopher, though he credited a clubhouse worker. Beforehand, manager Mike Quade was unaware of the motivational tactic."
Pena's problem? He thinks he thinks too much
March 20
Chicago Tribune
 
"Sometimes a a baseball player actually can be too cerebral to become a superstar. After all, the nation's pastime is really a simple game of hitting, throwing and fielding, none of which takes a master's from MIT. "You can be too analytical to the detriment of yourself," said Carlos Pena, who may not have the MIT master's but did maintain a 3.33 grade-point average while studying engineering at Northeastern University. "I've learned over the years that the wisest men are the ones who have the least amount of things in their heads." Pena is the Cubs' new first baseman, one with a fascinating life story that began in the Dominican Republic, went through Massachusetts and Ohio and now is"
Carlos Pena, Matt Garza know miracles — so why not one for the Cubs?
March 15
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Has there ever been a more daunting height to scale in major-league baseball, a more impossible task in professional sports, than the Cubs winning a World Series for the first time since Geronimo was alive — or even getting to one for the first time since the sport integrated? Of course not. Well, except for maybe one case. ''I know how possible it is,'' Cubs newcomer Carlos Pena said, ''because what people thought was impossible in the American League East happened. Twice.'' If there ever was a bigger upset in baseball than the Cubs someday ending a centurylong drought, it has to be what the Tampa Bay Rays did just three years ago after a 10-year history filled with nothing but losing"
Carlos Pena excels as a mix master
March 6
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"So which potential big-impact free agent should the Cubs pursue when that one-year, ''pillow'' contract with first baseman Carlos Pena expires? Albert Pujols? Prince Fielder? What about Pena? ''That'd be great,'' said outfielder Tyler Colvin, who has spent as much time with Pena as anyone in camp, as he learns to play first base for possible backup work. ''He's definitely a presence in the clubhouse that everybody likes. He's going to help us a lot this year, and if he wants to come back, great. We could definitely use him.'' Pena hasn't even played a game that counts yet for the Cubs. And he's coming off a .196 season for Tampa Bay. And as Colvin was speaking, Pena was sitting on a"
Cubs' Pena won't adjust swing to beat shift
March 1
Chicago Tribune
 
"It may have been a meaningless exhibition game, but the Brewers used an infield shift when left-handed-hitting Carlos Pena came to the plate Monday, putting the shortstop behind second base. "I hit a bullet up the middle, and I'm running to first base, and then I was like, 'Whoa, where did that guy come from?' " Pena said. Opposing teams used the shift on Pena the last few years in the American League, but seldom in spring training games. Pena said he doesn't try to "beat the shift" by going to left field, preferring to stick to his game plan. "You have to be willing to 'sacrifice' a couple of hits here or there for the greater good, for the long haul," he said. "That's not always easy to"
Pena can put 'teacher's aide' on his resumé
February 24
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"The Cubs are learning more every day about how much they're getting for the $10??million they spent on first baseman Carlos Pena. On Wednesday, they got another instructor on the practice field during pop-up drills. Pena, who came with a reputation as a good teammate with leadership qualities, showed it when he asked manager Mike Quade if it was OK to tell other players some of his ideas for completing the plays they were practicing. Quade already had been preaching about communication. It was a small point, ''but he had a different angle, which was great,'' Quade said. ''It's a group effort in so many ways, and also you have people that have been exposed to other organizations and have"
Pena focused on Cubs, not Pujols
February 19
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"There he was Thursday — the slugger the Cubs have been waiting for, all but salivating for. The All-Star, power-hitting, Dominican-born, ''character-guy'' first baseman pulling on a Cubs uniform for the first time and taking batting practice on his first day of spring training with his new club. Come on, put your Albert Pujols fantasies back in your pocket for at least a few months. It's Carlos Pena time — pillow contract, left-handed power swing, prove-I'm-not-a-.196-hitter motivation and all. And if it turns out Pena is just keeping a seat warm for the Almighty Pujols, who'll be a free agent this fall .?.?. ''That's fine,'' said the Cubs' new $10 million slugger, who was able to laugh"
Pena thinking about Cubs numbers, not Pujols
February 18
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"There he was Thursday — the slugger the Cubs have been waiting for, all but salivating for. The All-Star, power-hitting, Dominican-born, ''character-guy'' first baseman pulling on a Cubs uniform for the first time and taking batting practice on his first day of spring training with his new club. Come on, put your Albert Pujols fantasies back in your pocket for at least a few months. It's Carlos Pena time — pillow contract, left-handed power swing, prove-I'm-not-a-.196-hitter motivation and all. And if it turns out Pena is just keeping a seat warm for the Almighty Pujols, who'll be a free agent this fall .?.?. ''That's fine,'' said the Cubs' new $10 million slugger, who was able to laugh"
Pujols speculation doesn't distract Pena
February 18
Chicago Tribune
 
"First baseman Carlos Pena walked into Cubs camp Thursday as speculation swirled about the possibility of the team going after prospective free agent Albert Pujols. Pena has a one-year, $10 million deal that agent Scott Boras referred to as a "pillow contract." Asked facetiously if he would be willing to negotiate a new contract during the season, Pena laughed. "My deadline starts … uh, I'm wide open," he said. It's not Pena's fault that the Pujols-to-the-Cubs rumors have gone out of control, though the fact Pena is signed only through 2011 adds to the intrigue."
Dempster excited about Pena signing
December 13
Chicago Tribune
 
"Ryan Dempster is excited about the Cubs' signing of Carlos Pena because of Pena's mental approach. "I am so excited to play with a guy who gets as excited by making a great fielding play as he does by hitting a three-run home run," said Dempster, who was spotted Saturday at the Loyola-Kansas State game. The Cubs funnyman was dressed as Jackie Moon, the Will Ferrell character from the basketball comedy "Semi-Pro," with a wig, game uniform and warm-ups. He took the court to shoot baskets at halftime. Cubs general manager Jim Hendry attended the Dempster Family Foundation fundraiser Friday at D'Agostino's Pizza in Lakeview and told us he expects more signings in December than the last two"
Pena for now ... Pujols for later?
December 9
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Whether the signing of slugging first baseman Carlos Pena becomes a Sheffield-bruising success in 2011, the one-year length of the contract could make it a blockbuster fit for the Cubs in 2012. Baseball insiders in the lobby of the Dolphin Hotel here at the winter meetings already are starting to whisper the big name they think the Cubs might be in position to target next year as a free agent: Albert Pujols, the top of a pool of potential free agent first basemen that could include Prince Fielder and, after Wednesday's deal, Pena. The Cubs aren't entertaining public conversation about things that far down the road. But they made no secret of looking at shorter-term fixes for their biggest"
Former Tampa Bay Ray Carlos Peña signs with Chicago Cubs
December 8
St. Petersburg Times
 
"The Tampa Bay Rays' only chance to bring back first baseman Carlos Peña was if he couldn't find a big-money deal elsewhere, and that's exactly what happened late Tuesday as he agreed to a one-year deal with the Cubs. Introduced as a Cub this afternoon, Pena said it was a "perfect" situation for him to go to Chicago on a one-year deal. Pena said the Rays "did not express the interest" he expected, so leaving for the Cubs was a "no-brainer." Pena's agent, Scott Boras, said the Rays were "examining" their situation on Pena, but did not make an offer. "There was nothing to consider from them," he said. Pena, who made $10.125-million last season, took only a slight paycut after hitting .196,"
Pena heads to Cubs with one-year, $10 million deal
December 8
Tampa Tribune
 
"Carlos Peña is headed to the Chicago Cubs after the former Rays first baseman agreed to a one-year, $10 million deal. Not a bad payday for Peña, whose .196 batting average was the lowest in the major leagues among everyday players in 2010. The Cubs are hoping Peña can find his swing inside the friendly confines of Wrigley Field. The 32-year-old Peña is hoping to parlay his deal with the Cubs into another big contract. The one-year deal him to become a free agent again after next season. The Rays had interest in re-signing Peña, though for a lot less than the Cubs are giving him. Peña spent the last four seasons with Tampa Bay. He had a down year in 2010 with 28 homers and 84 RBIs to go"
Sources: Cubs reach deal with Pena
December 8
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"The Cubs have reached a preliminary agreement with free agent first baseman Carlos Pena on a one-year deal with about $10 million, according to sources, and hope to finalize the deal this morning during a schedule meeting with his agent, Scott Boras. The pending deal fills the Cubs' top off-season need and leaves a back-rotation starting pitcher and right-hander reliever on their to-do list. Pena, 32, is a career .241 hitter who led the American League with 39 home runs in 2009 for the Tampa Bay Rays, but his batting average, on-base percentage and power numbers – with the exception of the '09 spike – have declined each of the past three seasons. One Tampa Bay source said his highly"
Cubs have eye on first baseman Pena
December 7
Chicago Tribune
 
"It's no secret the Cubs' biggest priority this winter is trying to find a left-handed-hitting first baseman with three distinct qualities. The mystery man must have power, play solid defense and be relatively inexpensive. Not necessarily in that order. The Cubs' payroll is expected to be slashed 15-20 percent, according to a source familiar with the situation, which leaves general manager Jim Hendry with little flexibility. Carlos Pena is the most prominent available free agent who fits the Cubs' description, and Hendry will meet with his agent, Scott Boras, this week. But even with a .196 average last year for the Rays , Pena is being pursued by the Blue Jays, Nationals and Orioles, which"
With Carlos Peña likely gone, Tampa Bay Rays will stay flexible
December 5
St. Petersburg Times
 
"From the look of things, Carlos Peña is not coming back to the Rays. With Adam Dunn going from the Nationals to the White Sox, and with Adrian Gonzalez now heading to the Red Sox instead of elsewhere, Peña seems unlikely to return, probably headed to Washington to replace Dunn, with the Cubs and O's other possibilities. And while the Rays may have wanted Peña back on certain terms, it will be good for them to know if he is indeed moving on, so they can, too, with other options. The Rays prefer to operate on the lowdown anyway, but even if they wanted to share their strategy this offseason, it would be hard for them to name names. That's not because they don't have a plan, but because they"
Report: Cubs interested in free-agent 1B Pena
November 29
Foxsports.com
 (scroll down)
"The Chicago Cubs are showing interest in free-agent first baseman Carlos Peña, according to a major league source. Peña, 32, is coming off a disappointing contract year with the Tampa Bay Rays, batting only .196 with 28 home runs and 84 RBI in 144 games. He also missed time because of an injured heel. Hitter-friendly Wrigley Field would be a favorable landing spot for Peña, particularly if he plans to reestablish his value over a short-term deal. (The one-year strategy worked well for Adrian Beltre, a fellow Scott Boras client, at Fenway Park in 2010.) That Peña bats left-handed is another selling point. The Cubs don't have an experienced left-handed power hitter on their current roster."
Carlos Peña says he's prepared to move on if Rays don't want him back
November 17
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Free-agent 1B Carlos Peña was on Sirius XM's MLB Network Radio on Tuesday talking a lot about how much playing for the Rays meant to him, but sounding like someone looking for a new team. Peña said he didn't know if he was in the Rays' plans, and his chance to return was "more on their end, kind of like the ball is in their court." He also said the Rays were "so very special in my heart obviously, however, I understand that sometimes (the future) may not be the way I want it to be, and I just must adjust. And I'm actually excited about the new possibilities out there for me." Peña made a team-high $10.25 million last season while hitting .196 with 28 homers. Rays exec VP Andrew Friedman"
Re-signing Carlos Peña may make a lot of sense for Tampa Bay Rays
November 11
St. Petersburg Times
 
"A near-perfect free-agent ballplayer is available and waiting for the Rays. He is a proven power hitter — second to Alex Rodriguez in home runs in the American League the past four years. He knows how to work a count — second to Jack Cust in walks in the AL the past four years. He has won a Gold Glove, is known to be a quality leader and his price has dropped because of a poor 2010 season. He is everything the cost-conscious Rays would normally be looking for on the free-agent market except, perhaps, for this nagging flaw: You just watched him post the worst batting average for a full-time first baseman in more than 100 years. Otherwise, I say re-sign Carlos Peña. Admittedly, this is not a"
Rays' Peña, Upton get hot at plate
October 11
Tampa Tribune
 
"All season long, a common refrain for the Rays was that if Carlos Peña and B.J. Upton could get going at the same time, Tampa Bay's erratic offense would become dynamic. At the brink of elimination during the last two days, it finally happened. Peña, after hitting .196 during the regular season, and Upton, after hitting .237, combined for six RBIs on Saturday and Sunday. With 6-3 and 5-2 road victories against the Rangers, the Rays have forced a deciding fifth game in the ALDS. "It speaks to their attitude and the fact they like big games," Rays manager Joe Maddon said of why his two most mercurial players have suddenly gotten hot. "When you talk to either B.J. or Carlos prior to a game"
Pena finally has a moment to remember
October 10
Tampa Tribune
 
"It seemed like he was down to his final at-bat as a Ray. His team was five outs from elimination. What chance did he have, really? They were going to go quietly in the night. Now the Rays are alive in this division series. And Carlos Pena is back from the dead. "I'm very grateful to live in this moment tonight, to come through," Pena said. The man with the lowest batting average this season among all major-league qualifiers, who batted just .111 in September, grabbed hold of a couple of fastballs and some old magic Saturday night for two hits in as many innings. And so now there are more innings to play today. Pena's first was a line single to right field to tie the Texas Rangers at 2 in"
Pena wants to remain with Rays
October 9
Tampa Tribune
 
"Carlos Peña , who becomes a free agent after this season, said he wants to remain in Tampa Bay and can envision himself in a Rays uniform next season. "That's no secret. I would love to," he said Friday afternoon. "I grew up with this ballclub. Most of my growth as a ballplayer I've experienced with this uniform on, and I can identify with a bunch of these guys, because I think the same has happened to them. This is very special to me, so I think there is no secret that I want to stay here." Peña, who made $10 million this season during the final year of his contract, didn't enhance his earning power by batting .196, the lowest average in the major leagues. With the Rays about to slash"
Carlos Peña fails to convince umpire he was hit by a pitch
October 7
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Carlos Peña said he's not one to act, even if it'd help him get on base. And Peña felt like he may have paid the price for being honest in a momentum-swinging, controversial call by home-plate umpire Tim Welke during the first inning of Wednesday's 5-1 loss to Texas. With the bases loaded and one out, Peña said a 2-and-1 pitch from Rangers ace lefty Cliff Lee "nicked" him on the top of his right hand before going in the glove of catcher Bengie Molina. Peña said he turned to Welke and told him the ball hit him — which would have forced in a run — "and, all of a sudden, (Welke) said, 'Foul ball!' " Peña and manager Joe Maddon argued to no avail. Two pitches later, Peña struck out looking,"
Carlos Peña homers after second straight day of pregame work
September 29
St. Petersburg Times
 
"For the second straight day, manager Joe Maddon did some early one-on-one work with struggling 1B Carlos Peña on the field, saying he wanted to show his support and share some ideas. Turns out, it paid off. Peña, who entered Tuesday hitting .198, had a solo homer in the fourth inning, his 28th of the season and first since Sept. 14. He said he really appreciated Maddon taking the time to help "me feel a little better at the plate." "A lot of what's going on with Carlos, a lot of it has to do with just confidence, self-confidence," Maddon said. "And what I've been doing specifically is trying to help build that area, talking about some different drills that I had done years ago." Maddon"
Pena's time with Rays is coming to an end
September 23
Tampa Tribune
 
"He is running out of time. In 2007, his first season as a Ray (then Devil Ray) he was named American League Comeback Player of the Year. But now there might be no coming back. Carlos Pena wasn't in Joe Maddon's starting lineup Wednesday night at Yankee Stadium, even against a right-handed starter. B.J. Upton sat, too. Pena won't be in there tonight when the Rays face CC Sabathia. He understands why. "There comes a time when you swallow your pride, you know what I mean?" Pena said. He is 32 and batting .201. He has had the lowest batting average among major-league qualifiers for what seems like forever. He has been embarrassed. He has driven in only 27 runs since the All-Star break. He has"
Struggling Pena sits
September 23
Tampa Tribune
 
"Carlos Pena wants to go back that time to when his bat was the biggest in the Rays' lineup, and to do that Pena wants to take his mind back to the time when he was the last position player on the team. That was Opening Day 2007 at Yankee Stadium. Pena made the team because of an injury to Greg Norton. He didn't play that afternoon or in that series, but he was happy to be wearing a major-league uniform. "I remember when I was there. I think, 'You were so happy.' So 170 home runs later or whatever it is, a World Series appearance, home runs here and there, big hits, big play, don't come in here now and let all that energy start going down the drain. Remember where you came from," Pena said"
Rays' Carlos Peña slumping again
September 11
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Typically, 1B Carlo s Pe ña 's struggles occur because he's swinging at and missing too many pitches. Now he's slumping because he's hitting the wrong pitches. "Without being too specific, I see him swinging at pitches now that he had not been swinging at. And now he's putting these into play, and they're not being put in play with any kind of authority," manager Joe Maddon said. "He needs to lay off those and get back to the pitches he handles well." Instead of driving the ball, Peña is popping up and grounding out. And thus, he's not providing much support behind red-hot No. 3 hitter Carl Crawford and relatively warm cleanup man Evan Longoria . "Getting the middle of this batting"