Cubs Sign Carlos Pena

Early morning Wednesday, the Cubs and Carlos Pena signed a one year, $10 million deal.  Pena brings a lot of good to the 2011 Cubs, but there is no option on either his or the Cubs' side, meaning that he can't be offered arbitration next offseason and will  need to sign a new deal to stay for 2012 and beyond.  But right now, I think extending the deal is something the Cubs should have pushed.  Pena is coming to the Cubs for just one year so that he can have a great year, revitalizing his stock after a season where hit 28 homers but only .196, and sign a big multi-year contract with somebody.  If we could have kept Pena for sure for at least two years, he would become a nice foundation to build this new young core on the Cubs with.  With just a one year contract, Pena doesn't really seem like a guy that's going to be around for very long and this might not get him as much respect.  Pena's agent, however, is the infamous Scott Boras, and the Cubs probably had to choose to give him just one year or watch him put on another uniform.  Some, especially White Sox fans still licking their chops over the Adam Dunn signing, have criticized the Cubs for giving him $10 million, considering his very low average in 2010 and perennially high strikeouts, but this is a great deal.  The Cubs could use a veteran team leader, because they were really without one.  No, I don't think Aramis Ramirez counts because of his negative body language and quieter nature.  Not sure if Derrek Lee could speak Spanish, but Pena definitely can.  This has to be a plus because he plays in an infield with three Spanish speaking players, and a starting lineup with five (out of the eight fielding positions).  Pena plays great defense (2008 AL Gold Glove Winner), which is probably the reason the Cubs went his way and didn't aggressively go after Dunn.  Pena has 230 career homers with Texas, Oakland, Boston, Detroit, and Tampa Bay.  From 2007 to 2009 with Tampa Bay, he averaged 39 HR, 108 RBI, 95 BB, 157 K, all while hitting .252 but getting on base at a great .382 mark.  In 2010, Pena only hit .196 but incredibly still managed to hit 28 HR and 84 RBI.  This Cubs team could use some patience and Pena will teach it to them.  I see Pena catching on great in Chicago, and the Cubs will try to keep him around.  Whether they do or not, not so sure. Unfortunately, they probably won't want to spend the money because he certainly is going to command more money for longer after 2010.  But for 2010, Pena is taking his talents to the Friendly Confines.  Enjoy it while you can.