The Mets have signed enigmatic slugger Wily Mo Pena to a minor league deal.
Pena hit only .205 with 2 homers in 195 ABs last year with the Washington Nationals. However, he suffered from a strained oblique and shoulder issues last season. After undergoing rotator cuff surgery for his right shoulder last year, Pena this year reported discomfort in his left shoulder.
If healthy, the 27-year-old Wily Mo would have the most pure power in the Mets’ minor league system, and is at an age when players generally begin to peak. It’s a no-risk, high-reward signing for the Mets, who can use some righthanded power hitters.
Pena has never been able to recapture the magic of 2004, when he hit 26 HRs in 364 at-bats — a time when players didn’t have to worry about taking drug tests.
From what I’ve heard, and from what I’ve seen of him (very limited), he can hit the ball a ton. Seems to be a low-risk, high-possible-reward type of signing.
The very poor man’s Andruw Jones, but without the gold gloves and starting experience. The Mets had their chance on Jones but let the ship sail and are now trying to make up for their mistakes with the likes of Sheffield and Pena. Too little, too late if you ask me.
Wow…taking a page out of the Jim Bowden handbook…is Austin Kearns next?
Ryan Church, your days are numbered…