Boston signs Juan Gonzalez, looking at Pena

[MaineDolFan]

Boston signed former MVP Juan Gonzalez to a minor league contract this weekend.  Juan-Gone missed all of last season when his hamstring exploded during his one and only at-bat.  Gonzo is 35, looks healthy, and has 434 career home runs.  He could provide a spark in the outfield as a fill in for Nixon or Manny when either needs a day off...if he makes the squad.

Wily Mo Pena would be a better fit.  He's only 24 and has power (one HR every 16 at bats).  His OBP is putrid, just a shred over .300 - but he's young.  Good with the glove.  If the asking price is Bronson Arroyo, I might do that trade.

[EDGECRUSHER]

Gonzo is a good signing, because even though there is a 3% chance he works out, if he doesn't it costs them virtually nothing.

Pena, the old Yankee farmhand who was involved in TWO Drew Henson trades would be an interesting fit in Fenway. I checked his splits and his numbers aren't because if the big hitter's park in Cincy, so that's a good sign and something Ricciardi obviously doesn't look at 

[Denver_Bronco]

PEACE BRON-SUN


FORT MYERS, Fla. -- The Boston Red Sox traded pitcher Bronson Arroyo to the Cincinnati Reds for outfielder Wily Mo Pena on Monday.

Arroyo was 14-10 with a 4.51 ERA last season. The right-hander was part of a deep group of Red Sox starters and had taken a home-team discount when he signed a three-year contract worth $11.25 million on Jan. 19.

Pena batted .254 with 19 homers and 51 RBI last season and struck out 116 times with 20 walks. A 24-year-old right-handed hitter, he could play right field instead of lefty Trot Nixon when left-handers pitch against Boston.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2376683

[EDGECRUSHER]

Boston and Arroyo had a handshake agreement that if he signed his new contract, he wouldn't be traded. I hope they worked something out where both sides were happy, otherwise it's a scummy thing to do and it won't make the players happy. As a player, you don't want to see management as the enemy, that should be reserved for the opposing team.

[MaineDolFan]

Boy that Maine guy knows his stuff, eh?  LOL.

Arroyo - no players in that locker room will shed any tears.  There are a lot of ruffled feathers about Bronson's inability to focus solely on baseball during baseball season.  They'll say the right thing to the press, but as a guy around these guys in the locker room - Bronson didn't make any friends last season promoting his CD.  These guys want someone to go to battle with, not someone more worried about his next gig.