Super agent extraordinaire, Scott Boras, noted Tuesday that both Johnny Damon and Carlos Pena remain as first-base and DH hole filling possibilities for the Rays. However, you can scratch both Damon and DH off of the list of needs with the news of the signing of Luke Scott, who’ll fill the DH role. But lingering questions abound of what to do at first, especially now that you’ve got some pop in the lineup with Scott. Imagine with me, if you will, that Luke Scott stays healthy,, and they sign either Pena or Trumbo…both who have power? If only I was willed with the powers to see into the future, but unfortunately, I’m not. Nevertheless, there’s still an opening at first, and there are also options to fill that position. Let’s revisit Carlos Pena, Casey Kotchman, and Mark Trumbo.
Pena is coming off of a somewhat lackluster 2011 season, average wise at least, hitting a paltry .225 with 28 homers, where he earned $10 MM with the Cubs. Boras expects that Pena will have the option of multi-year offers, and if anything I’d think a multi-year deal with whoever starts at first, is in line. CP represents a veteran presence in the club-house, and a quality glove at first. You also can’t discount his prior experience with the Rays organization, nor can you overlook his wanton desire to return. Part of me feels that he would cut the Rays some slack, contract wise, because of that experience with the team. I’d think a return of Pena to the Rays could be a good thing, especially if the price is right. Granted, a .225 BA is well, uh…but factor in 28 homers, 80 RBI’s, and an .819 OPS, and his worth to the team is apparent. The question begs, would the Rays spend more money on Pena even if the total sum for one year is less than the $10 MM he earned last year, yet higher than someone like Damon, who earned $5.25 MM last year?
If not, would they turn to Casey Kotchman who’s still on the market? Kotchman was solid all around in 2011? There’s never been a question of how well Kotchman could perform defensively, and the Rays know what they’d be getting on that side of things. He’s a sure bet. But, one wonders if his .300+ BA was a career high, and would that production fall off in 2012? The Rays have been adamant in their desire of more production out of both first-base and DH, and you really have to factor in Kotchman’s career numbers in to the equation. Is Kotchman’s defensive prowess enough to get him a new contract, or would the Rays look elsewhere?
We’ve mentioned Mark Trumbo on a few occasions now, and he’s still a viable option. Let’s quickly run through the Trumbo checklist, shall we? Solid defensively? Check. Power hitting potential? Check. A younger player with less experience than a Pena or Kotchman, yet, with the potential to be a solid player for years to come…not to mention the possibility of signing him to a multi-year deal on the cheap? Check. This, of course, is assuming that there’s still some interest in Trumbo, and Tampa Bay can cull together a good enough deal.
Personally, I’d love to see a Trumbo deal. Who do you think they’ll either sign or acquire to fill the hole at first?
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