Comments on: Final Roster Spots: Utility Infielder

By: Old Ranger

Old Ranger — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 04:14:05 +0000

AAA for Pena, until or unless one of the two stumble badly. Even then, I would rather have him show his hitting skills improve somewhat.
With his glove, he would only have to be around the .275(+/-) mark to be considered Big time ready.

By: Chris H.

Chris H. — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 22:38:47 +0000

That’s what I think, too. If he’s an all-glove player and was only projected to be a bench guy, who cares? But, after hearing all of these scouts say that he can be an everyday player, I’m sure that the Yankees have some people who say the same thing. Therefore, they’ll probably keep him in the minors to continue his development, at least until they know for sure that he can’t hit. As EJ said, if Berroa makes it, at least the Yankees can dump him without thinking twice about it.

By: Trevor

Trevor — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 21:27:56 +0000

I hope Pena makes it. Yeah he’s young and you can send him down for more development. But Pena has been in the system for about 3 years now. His upside is that of a utility player. He certainly doesn’t have the upside of Angelini Joseph Lassiter… So I don’t feel if he makes the team his development is being taken away.

By: Moshe Mandel

Moshe Mandel — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 20:14:43 +0000

I have to disagree. Whoever wins this job is getting maybe 6-9 innings a week, at best. Why stick a young player at the end of the bench like that? If this was a long term type thing, obviously Pena would be the choice.

By: EJ Fagan

EJ Fagan — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 19:03:44 +0000

About the same as a hitter, but a better glove.

By: Greg F

Greg F — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 19:01:09 +0000

EJ: How does Pena compare to Alberto Gonzales?

By: EJ Fagan

EJ Fagan — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 18:12:09 +0000

I should say though: Pena might be a better option right now than Cody Ransom too. We should remember that Ransom is a 33 year-old journeyman with power but little ability to make contact. And Pena has 3 option years.

By: Bronx Baseball Daily

Bronx Baseball Daily — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 18:08:59 +0000

@EJ’s roster comment, that’s what it comes down to I think. The Yankees should be looking at this like a chess game. This move affects future ones and depending on their plan with the bullpen and their plans on when Alex comes back I think that is going to have a big impact on whether they go with Berroa or Pena now.

I’m interested in seeing what their plan is.

By: EJ Fagan

EJ Fagan — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 17:53:23 +0000

I don’t think that there’s a contest here. For the past 2 years, Berroa has been an absolute butcher with the bat. A spring training where he happens to get a bunch of hits while swinging at everything doesn’t change that. He plays terrible defense everywhere, and adds little off the bench. Pena is a fantastic defensive shortstop and just as bad with the bat. The only upside to adding Berroa is that we could waive him the second we need his 40-man spot without thinking twice about it.

By: Chris H.

Chris H. — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 17:05:25 +0000

I’d like to see Pena get it because at least some of his tools (speed, defense) would be guaranteed whereas with Berroa, who knows what he’ll provide. However, Berroa could make the team and then get dismissed after A-Rod’s return, which would be nice for the Yankees.