http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_82322.asp
Reds Trade Former Lookout Wily Mo Pena To Boston
Cincinnati Acquires Pitcher Bronson Arroyo
by Tim Evearitt
posted March 20, 2006
The Cincinnati Reds today (Monday) acquired right handed pitcher Bronson Arroyo and cash from the Boston Red Sox for outfielder Wily Mo Pena.
Pena spent the 2002 in Chattanooga playing for the Lookouts where he batted .255 with 11 home runs and 47 RBI.
It was no secret that the Reds were in great need of pitching and the trade should improve the 2006 team.
The Red Sox could afford to deal Arroyo because they still have Curt Schilling, Josh Beckett, Matt Clement, David Wells and Tim Wakefield to anchor the rotation.
Until the trade, it appeared that Adam Dunn would become a first baseman so that Pena could become an everyday outfielder. This past winter Pena demanded of the Reds: "play me, or trade me." Today he got their answer.
Austin Kearns (another former Chattanooga player who had divided time with Pena in the outfield) had no comment on the trade, but obviously had to be very pleased.
General Manager Wayne Krivsky, speaking in Sarasota outside the Reds' complex, said the talks have been going on for four or five days. "The trade," he suggested, "should be beneficial for both teams. The Red Sox had a surplus of starting pitchers. They have about seven starting pitchers and they needed a right handed bat to complement Trot Nixon in right field. Where they play Pena is up to them."
Arroyo has appeared in the post season in each of the last three seasons, including as a member of the 2004 World Champion Boston Red Sox.
Originally selected by the Pirates in the third round of the June 1995 draft, Arroyo owns a career record of 33-33.
"I think we're a better team with Arroyo in the rotation," said the new Reds' GM.
Krivsky said that the acquisition of first baseman Scott Hatteberg made the deal possible. He continued, "It looks like Adam Dunn will be in left and Hatteberg will be getting more playing time at first. I think over time Adam Dunn would be an accomplished first baseman, at the very least adequate or average over time."
Krivsky concluded by saying, "When you put it all together we got a starting pitcher, Adam goes back to a position that he's familiar with, and now Hatteberg can play first. I just think we're a better team."
In return, the Red Sox get Pena, 24, a powerful right-handed hitter who batted .248 with 51 home runs and 134 RBIs in 302 games with the Reds from 2002-05. After a breakout season in 2004 in which he belted 26 homers in just 336 at-bats, Pena was squeezed in and out of the lineup throughout 2005 due to the Reds' crowded outfield that also included Ken Griffey, Jr., Austin Kearns and Ryan Freel. Still, Pena hit 19 home runs in only 311 at-bats last season.
Pena gives the Sox some right-handed pop in the lineup in the event Mike Lowell's struggles extend into the regular season.
http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_82322.asp
Originally Posted by westofyou
