Angels sign Carlos Pena and Brennan Boesch

[Hubs]

Pena, Cron, Navarro are going to likely platoon at DH and 1B. 

 

They lost Scott Cousins the other day so that's likely where Boesch plays.

[bloodbrother]

They have had MLB success in the past....can be had for cheap. Very little risk involved. I'm always for signings like this

[Capital_Dave]

Can someone smarter than me explain what happened to Boesch?  He was a third round draft pick, fifth in ROY balloting in 2006 and then just seems to have faded into obscurity.  Is there a particular hole in his swing?  A pitch he can't hit?  His leffy/righty splits look pretty good.  Does he have high upside anymore?  I particularly like this signing because if he does recapture the magic, he's under club control until '17.

[notherhalo]

you know salaries are high when half a million here and there is not even a drop in the bucket

[Inside Pitch]

Dipoto seems to be infusing the system with left-handed power.  Trying to balance things out.  My only question is where they plan on getting Pena AB's at.  The Angels already have a solid defensive 1B that's performing well in AAA in Efron Navarro.  C.J. Cron is likely going to be in AAA as well as the DH.   

 

My guess is that if they don't have a spot for him on the MLB roster come opening day that Pena would ask for his release.  I guess the question might be..  is Lucho healthy yet?"

 

Boesch I can see accepting a job in AAA.

[seenoevil]

Carlos Pena from "moneyball" movie

 

 

[nando714]

Boesch I can see accepting a job in AAA.

Loved this guy in Detroit hopefully he finds his old form and beats out Shuck

[nando714]

Carlos Pena from "moneyball" movie

Ya the can't miss prospect who was then traded to Detroit I think??

[Second Base]

My guess is that if they don't have a spot for him on the MLB roster come opening day that Pena would ask for his release.  I guess the question might be..  is Lucho healthy yet?"

 

Boesch I can see accepting a job in AAA.

 

Not sure they'll end up using Lucho in a reserve role anyway.  Bench spots are at a premium, Green's almost assured a spot because of his ability with the bat.  Andrew Romine is almost assured a spot because he can handle any position in the infield and can be used as a pinch runner.  Shuck and Iannetta are also locks for bench spots.  Not sure they have room for a backup 3B on the roster when both Romine and Green would cover that spot in a pinch.

 

In fact, the more I look at it, if they do end up carrying an additional bench player it will likely be Pena.  He'd be the backup 1B and would serve the role of power bat off the bench.  I wish they'd find a decent right handed compliment for Raul Ibanez but if things break the way I think they will this season, that role will likely be C.J. Cron's by the end of July if he doesn't end up seizing sole possession of the DH spot.  

[Inside Pitch]

Yup, my guess is Pena is being signed to fill Lucho's spot.

[ukyah]

I like these depth signings.

Players like Pena and Boesch will have to come up at some point this year and they're not tojnfb to kill you out there.

Having guys like Harris and Hawpe last year was brutal.

 

 

absolutely.

[nikkachez]

I like these moves, I think they're insurance moves for Ibanez and the DH role. If Ibanez tanks, Boesch can take over some DH at-bats and play the outfield (Ibanez shouldn't touch a glove besides batting gloves this season) or Pena DH's and spells Albert at first. Either way I think they're bridges to CJ Cron if Ibanez sucks this year. I like them.

[Brent Maguire]

Boesch was pretty decent a few years ago.

He could be a really nice 4th outfielder here.

[tdawg87]

I like that Dipoto is stocking up on bench depth. This is something that this team hasn't had much of in recent years.

 

Now, lets try to get a pitcher or two and get ready for ST.

[IowaAngels27]

Sounds like both are quality clubhouse guys too. I like it.

[arch stanton]

They also serve as trade bait if another team gets a ST injury that leaves them in need. Could possibly net a useful niche reliever or something.

[EDinTUSTIN]

He would be a good player If he just didn't lack the "hitting the baseball" aspect.

How well can he pitch I wonder? Actually I am ok with Pena, but why do we need Boesch? We already have enough OF depth?

[laagamer]

Seem like a great shot at some power in the lineup. If they rip up the minors, who knows? They could take someone's spot easy. 

[Docwaukee]

I think JD looked around and realized he didn't have a legitimate major league back up for 1b if Pujols gets injured which is a real possibility.  I think Pena makes the opening day roster actually.  He's also a decent DH backup and power bat off the bench for PH.  

 

Boesch is an odd choice although he's actually a better hitter in his career vs. lefties.  Could be to spell Hamilton if he continues to struggle vs. lefties. 

 

Personally, I'd give Matt Long a look if they are just going for a 5th OFer.  I know he doesn't have mlb experience, but looking at what oakland has done with platoons and giving older rookies a shot seems to work.  Couldn't hurt. 

[Erstad Grit]

Pena is a great power threat off the bench who can play some 1b. He also allows Ibanez to be pr for earlier in the game. I like it a lot. He is easily a 20-25 HR guy if playing full-time, albeit while hitting .200. 

[YouthofToday]

I expect Pena to make the team. The Albert Pujols cannot be expected to play 1B more than 140 games a year, if that.

[Inside Pitch]

 

Personally, I'd give Matt Long a look if they are just going for a 5th OFer.  I know he doesn't have mlb experience, but looking at what oakland has done with platoons and giving older rookies a shot seems to work.  Couldn't hurt. 

 

I'd love to see Long make the club over Cowgill.

[slcity]

Fun fact - Colin Cowgill, Grant Green and Matt Long all played on the Cape Cod Championship team - YD Red Sox - in 2007. A team that included Buster Posey, Jason Castro, Gordon Beckham among others........