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Carlos Pena Is One of the Best DH Options for the New York Yankees

Published: 16th Jan 12 4:16 pm
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Craig Williams
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Michael L. Stein-US PRESSWIRE

In the wake of the trade that sent Jesus Montero to the Seattle Mariners for Michael Pineda, the New York Yankees are looking for ways to fill the vacancy in their designated hitter plans.  One option that has been discussed is signing Carlos Pena.  The New York Yankees contacted the Scott Boras client not long after the trade to gauge his interest and willingness to DH and I imagine to get some idea of what type of compensation he is expecting.

I am definitely a fan of the Yankees bringing Pena in to DH under one condition: he has to be willing to platoon because he simply cannot hit left-handed pitching.  Pena has a life-time average of .210 against southpaws with a 35.4% K rate – compared to a .252 average and 29.6% K rate against right-handers.  That average and K rate against right-handers doesn’t paint a masterpiece either, but the fact is he can still hit for power and get on base.  If the Yankees combined Pena (against RHP) and Andruw Jones (against LH – .923 OPS in 2011) they could construct a pretty dangerous designated hitter.

It might be a little while before we see how much Carlos Pena is willing to sign for.  His market is currently being held up by Prince Fielder’s free agency – another Scott Boras client by the way.  Once Fielder signs, the market for other first baseman will open up.  As far as free agent options, Pena remains my realistic favorite.  I mean Fielder would be a blast to have in the lineup, but Pena will obviously cost less and give the Yankees the lineup flexibility to rest Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez and Mark Teixeira more frequently than they would be able to with a permanent designated hitter.

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