Cubs Finalize Carlos Pena Signing

Carlos Pena, reported Carrie Muskat of MLB.com, finalized a one-year deal with the Cubs worth about $10 million. Although it is only a one year deal I believe the Cubs really overpaid. Pena's batting average has been in decline for 3 years now, and last year he finished below .200. Obviously Pena's power is his golden ticket, he hit 46 HRs in 2007, 31 in 2008, 39 in 2009, and 28 last year. You would think in the small park that is Wrigley he should put up some good power numbers, but I have to admit I think this is a bad signing, and I would much rather have a guy like Paul Konerko. Then again, it's just a one year deal, so if it doesn't work out at least it doesn't hurt the Cubs long term.

I really thought Pena would land with the Nationals, since it seemed like a logical fit after the loss of Adam Dunn, but after spending so much on Werth I guess it would be too much to throw money at Pena too.

Carlos Pena Out For Year

Tampa Bay slugger Carlos Pena broke two fingers when he was hit by a CC Sabathia pitch in the opener of Monday's day-night doubleheader against the Yankees.

Pena was hurt on an 0-1 offering in the first inning of a 4-1 loss, with the ball hitting his left hand and then his bat. ESPN

This sucks for the Rays and the people that own him in fantasy baseball. He has been nothing short of a monster offensively. He has hit 39 homeruns, and 100 RBIs for the Rays, and even though his batting average is laughable, he is a big time player. The Rays already decided they are going to pack it up when they got rid of Kazmir, so I wouldn't be surprised if some of their stars started to slowly get shut down.

Top 25 Under 25: #8 Evan Longoria

One of the new phenoms of Major League Baseball is the star thirdbaseman for the Tampa Bay Rays Evan Longoria. 24 year old Longoria born 10/07/1985 burst onto the scene in 2008 winning the Rookie of Year Award. In 122 games he hit .272 with 27 HRs and 85 RBIs; not to mention a .963 fielding % at the hot corner. Longoria was certainly a major reason why the Tampa Bay Rays were the AL East, and AL League Champs in 2008; and this was all after coming off a mid-season broken wrist. Now in his second season, Longoria has not slowed down one bit. Apart from a few minor injuries, Longoria is being hailed as one of the best hitters in Major League Baseball. In 126 games thus far, Longoria is matching his statistics from last season posting a .272 BA 25 HR 91 RBIs and 57 walks. Although Longoria had a .189 BA in July '09 he remains the top threat in a potent Rays lineup that includes Carlos Pena, BJ Upton and Carl Crawford. For a 24 year old player to be ranked the #3 best thirdbaseman in the league in just his second season speaks volumes to his ability and his future. Look for Longoria to post these and better numbers year in and year out; no doubt. If your a baseball fan, its hard not to love this guy...and no I don't mean Eva Longoria...no relation. Fuck Tony Parker.

-Beerman Posts

2009 Homerun Derby Tonight

Well the HR derby is once again upon us, and yet I don't think I could care less. It is damn obvious the AL doesn't give a shit. I mean look who is in it for them...

Nelson Cruz
Carlos Pena
Joe Mauer
Brandon Inge

I mean what a fucking joke. I will probably still watch, but I have to say the HR derby bothers me. First off the baseballs are so juiced it's crazy. It looks like a superball coming off the bat, but enough of my hating lets get to my picks.

The NL squad is...

Prince Fielder
Adrian Gonzalez
Ryan Howard
Albert Pujols

At least the NL put their best players out there. Pujols is obviously the favorite, then Howard, but I am going to have to pick Pena. The guy hits bombs, and I just think he will be all jacked up about being in the event. Call me crazy, but that's my pick (it doesn't hurt he is on my fantasy team).

BMack's Pick: Carlos Pena

Carlos Pena replaces Dustin Pedroia for ASG

According to ESPN.com news services, AL starting 2B Dustin Pedroia will spend the All Star Game break with his pregnant wife who is currently hospitalized with "early labor complications".

TB Rays 1B Carlos Pena and his AL leading 24 homeruns will replace Pedroia on the roster and TOR Bluejays 2B Aaron Hill will start.

Pedroia is still playing regularly for the Red Sox today, Sunday 7/12.

-Beerman

Phillies One Win Away

Talk about encouraging, last nights 10-2 win was exactly what Philly fans wanted to see. Rollins got on base 4 times and is finally hitting the ball like the leagues MVP, Ryan Howard hit 2 homers to left then to right and looked like the leagues leading HR and RBI man.


And then theres Joe Blanton. This cat was an ace last night. When the Phillies picked him up in late July I was skeptical, especially since CC Sabathia and Haren were available. But turns out the Phils are 12-4 when he takes the mound, and last night he played the game of his life. I say played because he closed his eyes and blasted a solo home run to make up for one of the ones he gave up. Ata boy Joe, do your thing.


the Rays simply look out of their swagger that led them here. The media will jump all over the Phillies doing poorly with RISP, but Carlos Pena and Evan Longoria havent gotten a hit yet this WS and the 2 of them combine for 15 Ks. Without those guys swinging well, the team just cant win.

Tonight could be the best night of my sports life. Coming home from the hospital after being born i was wrapped in a phillies blanket, since day 1 i have loved this team. My entire life has been a patient fan and the time is up. Cole pitches tonight and he simply doesnt lose. He's 4-0 in the post season, the only Philly pitcher to ever do that, and tonight he looks to make it 5-0 and lead the Phillies to the..dare i say it..National Championship.


holla

TB Rays Tie the Series

Last night sucked. Instead of drinking merily with some cronies, i was forced to drink slowly and heavily by the Phillies. Yes the Rays won, but more than anything, the Phillies lost. You have to tip your hats to the Rays, they are doing something that Philly cant seem to figure out--scoring people who are in scoring position. Shields pitched well, 3 different times he had a man on third with less than 2 outs...no one ever scored.

Ryan Howard "broke out" of his slump last night but it doesnt really mean much if gets hits with no one on base. And for some reason Carlos Ruiz decided that hes just gonna be the man this World Series. Well i appretiate it Carlos, now whatever your drinkin, let Jimmy and Burrell get a motherfuckin sip.


The Rays are ball players, they're young, but their ball players. they scored runs last night in small ball fashion; two of their runs came on infield groundballs...I respect that. Someone Longoria and Pena are 0-for in the series, but something tells me they were just warming up for Jamie "I'm way too fucking old" Moyer to take the mound.

I'm not very happy today. The teams flew back to Philly late last night, and need to take a day to gather themselves. I am probably going up to Philadelphia tomorrow night to tailgate at the complex and then head to bar to be with local hooligans. i also plan to plaster the last of my DC stickers in the ghetto that is South Philly. for now I'm going to the movies to cool myself. Expect a movie review of 'Pride And Glory' this afternoon.

Rays Beat Sox 2-1

The game came down to the bottom of the 9th. Masterson was on the hill, Barlett hit a single, then Pena walked, which was very questionable since the Sox would have had 2 strikes on him, but a ball came onto the field and time was called (yet no one seemed to know other than the 3rd base umpire). So, there was a man on 1st and 2nd with no out. Masterson was able to get Longoria to strikeout (3rd time today), but Masterson couldn't keep the momentum as he hit Cliff Floyd with a pitch to load the bases. So, with 1 out and bases loaded Dioner Navarro hit a deep fly ball to center field. Ellsbury new it was too deep to have a chance to throw Barlett out at the plate, so he let it go and the Rays beat the Sox 2-1 in the bottom of the 9th. The Sox now are no longer tied for 1st, and can't do any better than tie the Rays when this series is over (since it ends after tomorrow's game). The Rays have to be pumped to get this win, since they are back into 1st, and they end their slide. It was really a wasted effort by the Sox, as Beckett went 8 innings allowing only 1 run on 3 hits with 7 Ks. So, at least it seems like Beckett is ready for the playoff push. The bad news is that Mike Lowell really looked like he is hurt, and I am beginning to question how much longer he is going to be able to play through this injury (torn labrum). Lowell can barley run to first, and after making a bare handed play in the field, he was grimacing, and limping noticeably. As always we will keep you updated on Mike Lowell's status, as more information becomes available.

-BMack