In another move, the Sox strengthened their own depth while weakening the Yankees by signing Carlos Pena away. The 28-year old has above average power and may remind some Sox fans of Mark Bellhorn with his patience at the plate and habits for walks and strikeouts.
Peña, who is expected to report today to Triple A Pawtucket, was released by Detroit in March and signed with the Yankees April 15. Peña was leading the Columbus Clippers, the Yankees' Triple A affiliate, in home runs (19) and RBIs (66) while batting .260. But yesterday, Pena exercised a clause in his contract that allowed him to ask for his release to pursue a major league deal. He was hitting .260 in the International League with 19 home runs, 66 RBI and a .370 on-base percentage.
As recently as 2004, Peña hit 27 home runs and drove in 82 runs for the Tigers and appeared on the verge of fulfilling his considerable promise. But last season, he took another step backward, batting just .235 with 18 home runs and 44 RBIs, striking out 95 times in 260 at-bats, and was sent down to Toledo.
Team sources said Pena is expected to make his way to the big league roster no later than Sept. 1, when rosters can be expanded to as many as 40 players.
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