[bigboydan]

Boston gets OF Pena for RHP Arroyo

March 20, 2006

FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) -- The Boston Red Sox traded right-handed pitcher Bronson Arroyo to the Cincinnati Reds for outfielder Wily Mo Pena on Monday.

Arroyo was 14-10 with a 4.51 ERA last season. He was part of a deep group of Red Sox starters and had taken a home-team discount when he signed a three-year contract worth $11.25 million on Jan. 19.


Pena batted .254 with 19 homers and 51 RBIs last season and struck out 116 times with 20 walks. A 24-year-old right-handed hitter, he could play right field instead of lefty Trot Nixon when left-handers pitch against Boston.

Without the 29-year-old Arroyo, Boston still has Curt Schilling, Tim Wakefield, Josh Beckett, Matt Clement, David Wells and Jon Papelbon as starters. Arroyo, who pitched five shutout innings Sunday after struggling in his first three exhibition appearances, was expected to start the season in the bullpen.

Arroyo had career highs last year with 14 wins, 32 starts and 205 1-3 innings pitched.

In the past four seasons, Pena batted .248 with 51 HR and 134 RBI with the Reds.

[Willie Bee]

Definitely gives the Reds a little more pitching. But most interesting about this is how the Reds fill that OF opening. First thought is it opens up more PT for Freel. But he's having a really hard spring at the plate. Could mean more PT for DeWayne Wise as well, and he is having a good spring. Could also mean Dunn could move to OF more with Hatteberg playing more at first.

If the Reds end up giving that extra OF time to someone like Quinton McCracken, then they blew this deal.

[presley177]

Definitely gives the Reds a little more pitching. But most interesting about this is how the Reds fill that OF opening. First thought is it opens up more PT for Freel. But he's having a really hard spring at the plate. Could mean more PT for DeWayne Wise as well, and he is having a good spring. Could also mean Dunn could move to OF more with Hatteberg playing more at first.

If the Reds end up giving that extra OF time to someone like Quinton McCracken, then they blew this deal.

They'll give it to Freel.

[Willie Bee]

I'm still not sold on Womack at 2B, Presley. Keep thinking Freel will see more time there.

[onlooker]

They'll give it to Freel.

That would be nice for fantasy. He is a good source of steals. And wouldnt hurt in the run department either.

[presley177]

That would be nice for fantasy. He is a good source of steals. And wouldnt hurt in the run department either.

I've seen this guy play since he was in Double-A of the Blue Jays organization. He's 110% hustle and plays the game right....he'll get 500 atbats this year somewhere. good little player that can play everywhere with a lot of hustle and enthusiasm

[Illusion]

Great trade for the Reds. They really needed the pitching help.

[Razz]

Cocksuck. I can't believe the disoriented Red Sox front office was able to get rid of the worst pitcher in baseball, AND get a player in return.

[Dead Money]

Sox needed someone who crushes leftys.

He ought to fit in well. Some decents thump after Manny, Pappi and Tek.

Very good trade for both sides.

[Razz]

This kid Jon Papelbon is the one that scares me. He is going to be good - of course they don't get rid of him.