Carlos Pena: Yankees Take Pena to Block in Waiver-Wire Squares
August 24, 2011 · Rick Weiner · Jump to comments
Article Source: Bleacher Report - New York Yankees
Randy Bush and the Chicago Cubs really don’t want to trade Carlos Pena.
Yet Brian Cashman and the New York Yankees put in a waiver claim on the 33-year-old slugger, even after he said that the team plans on going with what they’ve got.
Pena plays excellent defense at first base, and could spell Mark Teixiera if he needs a day off. He could also take over as the designated hitter against right-handed starters.
But with the Cubs hesitant to move him, what would the cost be to acquire him?
Prohibitive, I would imagine. Anything more than a mid-level prospect would be overpaying.
Contrary to the opinion of others who insist that the Yankees “have the hots” for Pena, I would argue that the Yankees put a claim in simply to block him from going to other contenders.
Especially since, as of a few hours ago, Bush and Cashman haven’t even spoken about Pena.
Had the Yankees let Pena sail through waivers unclaimed, the Cubs would be free to trade him to whomever they liked.
Just because he made it through waivers unclaimed doesn’t mean that there aren’t a handful of teams that would try to acquire him.
Remember, there is still a week left before the next trade deadline, when players you plan on using in the postseason must be on your roster.
All it takes is one misstep, one foot planted just the right way for an injury to befall, say, Adrian Gonzalez or David Ortiz.
Not that I am wishing injury on either player. Karma is a bitch, and she always wins in the end.
But, you don’t think the Red Sox would look to pick up someone like Pena? Or any contender who suffers an injury to a first baseman or power bat for that matter?
How about the teams who were hoping to land Jim Thome and missed out—you don’t think Pena was thought of as a second option?
Instead, Brian Cashman made sure that Pena will call Chicago home for the rest of the season.
It’s a win-win situation for the Yankees.
If the Cubs dumped Pena on the Yankees, he could platoon as designated hitter. If the Cubs wanted something in return for Pena, the Yankees could say “thanks but no thanks” and watch as Pena was no longer eligible to be dealt before the deadline.
Smooth move Cash.
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