Make Mine Extra Toolsy

The same day that Dave Sheinin introduced the general public to the idea of what a Toolsy Reds outfielder is by pointing out what a good football team the Nats have, comes word, from MLB.com, that the Nationals are interested in Wily Mo Pena.

That the Nats are interested in Pena/A Red/An Outfielder should come as no surprise. The Nats (or more precisely, Bowden) was sniffing around Pena last offseason.

Pena's main skill is his power. He's cranked out 45 home runs in just over 600 ABs over the last two years. (Stats) Impressive power for a 23 year old. Pena doesn't walk at all, and his strikeout rate would make Brad Wilkerson look like Joe Sewell.

Pena's played all over the outfield, but his defensive stats are all over the map -- bad in the corners, good in centerfield. So I don't really know what to make of them. Last year, though, they were mostly terrible.

I don't really see what Pena provides over a Church/Byrd platoon. But I've been saying that for months, just with different names inserted for Pena's.

If he available? The Reds just traded Sean Casey to free up some payroll, and more importantly, a roster spot. Dunn slides into first, freeing up a spot for Pena. Although (and this is entirely conjecture) they could potentially slide Ryan Freel into the outfield with no problem -- assuming he keeps himself out of jail. That would also force them to put Tony Womack into the lineup fulltime, which he's been jonesing for.

I don't know what the Nats would offer, but tying up with another point I was making earlier, Jon Rauch needs to be moved. If Ortiz, Armas, and Drese make it, there's simply no room for him. He can't be sent to the minors anymore. And if Pena's on the roster, is Ryan Church really necessary? Maybe there's a package there -- even if it's one that makes my blood turn cold.

Of course this is all probably much ado about nothing.... but in an offseason that's been focused on nothing but the Stadium and Soriano, sometimes it's fun to rumormonger!