Willie Mo Pena now a Red Sox

**imported_UKCats1** · March 20th, 2006, 12:45 PM

Here is the story:

[ame="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2376683"]BoSox send Arroyo and cash to Reds for Pena - MLB - ESPN[/ame]

**pvfan** · March 20th, 2006, 01:01 PM

I can actually live with that, at least they got a pretty good pitcher in return. My only question now is who they plug in the outfield.

**1inStripes** · March 20th, 2006, 01:13 PM

I didn't look at the trade, but I figured you would be madder than d@mn it over that.

**pvfan** · March 20th, 2006, 01:38 PM

They can put Freel in the outfield so it's not really all that bad. Plus now they have another major league pitcher, the rotation still is pretty shaky but it's not as bad as it was. You can throw, Harang, Arroyo, and Clausen and feel somewhat confident that you'll get a quality start. Saying all that, I'd still take 81-81 right now on the season.

**R0cketer** · March 20th, 2006, 02:06 PM

As a Sox fan, I'm not thrilled with it. It's ok, because I do have my concerns about the outfield depth but just not sure that Pena is the answer. And I hate giving up Arroyo, who besides being versatile and affordable, actually can sing too [img]/LDPforum/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Manny/Crisp/Trot/Willy Mo is not horrible, but man Crisp better be able to cover some ground.

**NotSoSilentBob** · March 20th, 2006, 03:02 PM

Dumb move for the Red Sox.

**jake_norris** · March 20th, 2006, 04:26 PM

I agree. Arroyo is a good dependable starter, and the Sox rotation isn't exactly stacked. Schilling, Wells, and Wakefield are old, and an injury to one of these guys would make them regret this move.

**ChrisSabo** · March 20th, 2006, 05:02 PM

I'm a Reds fan and this tells me that this Ownership Group and General Manager is just as clueless as the ones that just left.

The Reds just traded away a potential 50 homer guy for a #3-#4 starter who had a mid 4 ERA last season who doesn't get ground ball outs and will now be pitching in a pitcher's park.

Red Sox fans, you got the better end of the deal BY FAR!!!

www.redlegnation.com

**imported_MoonlightGraham** · March 20th, 2006, 09:23 PM

[ QUOTE ]

Dumb move for the Red Sox.

[/ QUOTE ]
I disagree.

I have seen Willie Mo Pena play several times, at Cincy and recently at the World Baseball Classic (the guy is freakin huge). He has enough speed to play in the red sox outfield, is big enough to play 1st if Snow or Youklis are not in the lineup, and the guy just turned 24 which is the icing on the cake.

Yes it will hurt us losing Arroyo, I like his attitude and his pitching "skills".
However to say the red sox are in trouble if someone gets hurt is VERY DEBATABLE.

Just look at what they have in the bullpen Papelbon, Foulke, Clement, Timlin, Taverez. Unless the sox sign another starter, Papelbon or Clement will probally be the 5th man in the rotation (to Shilling, Wake, Wells, and Beckette).

Willie Mo will probally be the 4th outfielder starting out (playing right whenever there is a lefty on the mound), I would have liked to see the sox sign sign someone faster unless Crisp can not handle the pressures of playing in Bean town, and besides the Sox aren't really blessed with alot of team speed. But I think he could be a good fit probally in the 6th or 7th hole in the lineup.