Braves sign Ramiro Pena to Major League deal
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Dec 17, 2012 
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I missed this one last week…
The Braves have signed Ramiro Pena to a Major League contract and will give him a chance to compete for their utility job this spring. The Braves already have Paul Janish and Tyler Pastornicky on their roster, but Mark Bowman notes that those two have options remaining while Pena does not. Because of that, Bowman speculates that Pena might be the favorite to win the job, backing up Andrelton Simmons and Dan Uggla.
After a somewhat surprising run at the Yankees utility job in 2009, Pena was eventually overshadowed by Eduardo Nunez. He was the Yankees regular utility man in 2010, spent most of 2011 in Triple-A and got just four big league at-bats last season. He’s a switch hitter with some speed, but his true value comes from his reliable glove.
Without Pena — who became a free agent this winter — the Yankees upper-level shortstop depth is limited. They still have Nunez, , and they have both Jayson Nix and Gil Velazquez coming to camp as non-roster invites. Beyond that, Jose Pirela has moved away from shortstop, Walter Ibbara is a free agent and Yadil Mujica has been treated more like an organizational guy than a legitimate prospect. Addison Maruszak had a nice year as Double-A Trenton’s shortstop this year, but it’s too early to know whether that was a true breakout or a blip on the radar.
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Speaking of shortstops, the Red Sox have signed Stephen Drew to a one-year, $9.5-million deal. Earlier this winter there was some speculation that the Yankees might have some interest in Drew as a backup infielder, but that speculation never gained much traction, and it’s hard to imagine the Yankees giving that much money to a backup. Signing Drew would have meant opening an everyday job, and Drew’s only big league experience is at shortstop.
Good for El Niño. Thrive and prosper!
Against All Odds December 17th, 2012 at 12:18 pm
The Return of Stoneburner December 17th, 2012 at 12:04 pm
Against All Odds December 17th, 2012 at 11:55 am
has supersonic hearing capabilities that rivals Superman
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Can’t wait for that movie.
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Me too!
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Did you see the new trailer?
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I did. I can see the Nolan influence on it – sort of Superman Begins. There was a bit more flying in this one – - – -while I love Zod, I kind of wanted a new villain – - – -though I read a rumor that if they have the Justice League movie, Darkseid may be the main villain – - – -
Meant to ask AAO – what did you think of the trailer?
The Indians are making a push to sign free agent outfielder Nick Swisher, ESPN.com’s Buster Olney reports (on Twitter). The Indians were in “aggressive pursuit” of Swisher last week after trading right fielder Shin-Soo Choo to Cincinnati in a three-team deal. Earlier in the month the Indians had reportedly been hoping to sign Swisher for four years and $48-50MM.
As of last week, multiple teams continued pursuing Swisher and he didn’t appear to be close to deciding on a new team. The Red Sox, Phillies, Mariners, Rangers, and Orioles have also been linked to the switch-hitting MVP Sports Group client this winter.
Read more at http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/#twBDH0rpOpOSbDAF.99
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Come on Cleveland – shut out the Mariners and Rangers – and begin a bidding war for Granderson – - – -
Crash Davis as Jon Kent is a good call
Good glove man. Switch hitter.
Should do well in that role.
Especially on the Braves.
How’d they get him ?
Come on Cleveland – shut out the Mariners and Rangers – and begin a bidding war for Granderson
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Swisher going to not either of those places is definitely good.
Yeah – Eliot Ness will bring a mid-western feel to the papa Kent role – although – I am not sure if it is set in the midwest anymore with the fishing community – had no idea Amy Adams was in it – - – -liked the preliminary scenes from the Fortress of Solitude area – - – -
How’d they get him ?
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He was a free agent.
I liked the trailer. It definitely gives everyone a sense of where they are going with Man of Steel. I know some fans don’t like when they retell the story but if it is done right then it can pay off big time.
I heard the same rumor as well.
Maybe the Phillies will want Curtis ?
They might have some things we want.
Rather ship Grandy off to the NL all things equal.
Gotta run – Monday meeting time – - -
The three teams that are competitors that could use Grandy and might pay a price worth dealing him to me are the : Rangers, Braves, and Phillies
Take care stone.
R.A. Dickey is a very good pitcher, and a deep and interesting man. Scratching for the last dollar wouldn’t seem to be in character for him. He got a deal he could live with, and took it. No drama, no fuss. We’ll see him 3 or four times next year, probably to our detriment. Anyway, godspeed, R.A.
MTU December 17th, 2012 at 12:27 pm
Good glove man. Switch hitter.
Should do well in that role.
Especially on the Braves.
How’d they get him ?
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.233 career average with a .266 on-base percentage and a .288 slugging percentage in 338 ML plate appearances.
Good glove, nothing else…
@JonHeymanCBS: carlos pena headed to the #astros, $2.9M plus lots of incentives ($1.4M). @DKnobler http://t.co/cDxEJqk4
They should stick him on the wall instead of playing him. “Our First Dh”
R. Pena sighting. Good for him. Still playing ball and not giving up. I know the kid was never a top prospect & was never going to start for the Yankees, but he did a fine job in 2009 and helped the team win that WS.
@FakePeteGammons
Look, #RedSox still strongly believe in SS Jose Iglesias’ bat as long as anyone other than him is swinging it. This is Peter Gammons.
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Very good, G Love
I’m happy with Tricky Dickey, and what city can’t use one more great community person?
Pena can’t hit. decent D though, very glad that he is no longer with the Yanks. good luck though.
let me put it this way, If jeter goes down it will be Nunez because Pena will never… i say never have the bat to be regular mlb ss. So, if you are worrying about a few days subbing then we got big problem to worry about. And , we do.
Can’t wait til see Jose Reyes styling after a single in the AL East … Swisher might have to take backseat in terms of excessive celebration.
Good afternoon everyone,
So Ramiro goes to the Braves….God speed Niño!…Having said that, I am somewhat sad for Cashman, he no longer will fulfill his dream of having Ramiro Peña batting cleanup
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Hey Luis, AAO,Tom, Blake, MTU YF, and JF!
Av lot of nice people here today. Glad to see Pena get a shot. Hope he prospers in Atlanta.
I love Boston’s offseason strategy of over paying bench players…….
12:45pm: Swisher is visiting Cleveland tonight to have dinner with Indians team president Mark Shapiro, Nick Camino of WTAM 1100 in Cleveland reports (on Twitter).
Read more at http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/#dfEWxelbX4iwDKlX.99
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Come on Shaprio – wine and dine Swish – - – -
Hi comet.
Hey, comet!
I’m surprised Texas isn’t making a last push for Swish.. but something tells me they have more up their sleeves. Don’t like it one bit.
@JonHeymanCBS: Ivan Nova is available for Bar Mitzvahs http://t.co/9BCpOTM5 (via @daynperry)
What?
Haha that’s Tiki Barber’s business
Aside from the victorino sighning which was an overpay, I think BOS has made some good signings so far- the additions make sense for their positional needs and Fenway. They still need SP though.
Hey there Shamus!
yankee21 says:
December 17, 2012 at 2:12 pm
Aside from the victorino sighning which was an overpay, I think BOS has made some good signings so far- the additions make sense for their positional needs and Fenway. They still need SP though.
I like some of the signings….but they have over paid on almost all of them….
Wouldn’t mind giving Addison a shot at the reserve INF role; kid showed some pop last year.
Blake – I agree that Boston has over paid on every one of their signings.
The good news for the Indians if they sign Swisher is that they won’t have to worry about his failings in the post season.
Lastings Millege just signed a 3 year deal in Japan; 27 and coming off a year there in which he hit: .300/.379/.485 batting line and added 21 home runs in 546 plate appearances.
Carlos Pena signing with Houston is good – takes another butcher off the list that the Yankees could sign.
With Dickey and Johnson on their pitching staff should the Jays go after CM Wang
sorry.
Hey comet!
@DKnobler
Rays were interested in Kendrys Morales in July. They still need a DH. Now Angels want to move Kendrys. A fit? http://cbsprt.co/12kDva7
@DKnobler
Our tireless @EyeOnBaseball team found this one: Ivan Nova is available for Bar Mitzvahs. http://cbsprt.co/XAkz1S
Hahaha.. no one likes Heyman.
Hey, Shame, how ya doing?
Oh I’m fine, Shame, thanks for asking!
Guys… just like a kid left home alone, I could totally see myself enjoying a day of Shame on the blog.
Talking to yourself is ok…..answering yourself though….that’s when you know it’s bad
“With Dickey and Johnson on their pitching staff should the Jays go after CM Wang sorry”
Hmm maybe we can talk them into having an A-Rod too.
It’s Chips fault.
Guys you don’t need to dance around the issue, I found out yesterday you can now say penis on the blog.
It used to let you say vagina but block penis.
…In case anyone was wondering.
Tar December 17th, 2012 at 2:49 pm
“With Dickey and Johnson on their pitching staff should the Jays go after CM Wang sorry”
Hmm maybe we can talk them into having an A-Rod too.
It’s Chips fault
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What about Doug Fister?
blake – I think the conversation I had with myself last night regarding the censor was more fun.
Two trades I would like to see:
Hughes to the Angels for Morales, Conger, Wells and almost all of Vernon’s remaining salary.
Granderson, Gardner and Warren to the Rangers for David Murphy, Mike Olt
Sign Mike Bourn
Lineup:
Bourn
Jeter
Cano
Tex
Morales
Youk
Murphy
Conger
Ichiro
Chip,
You traded for Olt and aren’t even gonna play him? Morales is awful vs lefties and unless Bourn is a 1 year deal then you’re just putting more bad money on the books for a multi year deal with him.