The Reign of Terror is over I hope

by wildthang on Mar 23, 2007 4:50 PM EDT

MLB.COM reporting here that we have traded for Braves SS Tony Pena Jr. for P Eric Cordier.
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070323&content_id=1856137&vkey=spt2007news&fex t=.jsp

Does this officially spell an end to the Angel Berroa era in Kansas City?

Considering we get a guy who is not Angel Berroa, and I hope is at least good with the glove, is this trade a steal? I thought Cordier went under the knife for TJ surgery in the offseason so it wasnt like he was going to force his way to KC anytime soon.

Do we all get blindingly drunk in celebration?

What happens now with the Berroa-Silverio Silverio's daugther triangle? How can a team function with its ex starting shortstop being wed to its Third Base Coach's daughter? The drama, the intensity!

March 23, 2007 will be a day to be remembered in not just Kansas City baseball, but the entire game worldwide.

THOUGHTS PEOPLE ON THIS MOMENTOUS DEAL

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Tony Pena Jr.

Sucks. He's a utility guy at best, and has probably rode his name value to actually getting MLB at-bats.

That said, he's better than Berroa! It's very encouraging that the organization seems to have realized that Angel is not the answer at SS, even if it sucks that Pena's been brought in.

"Your best? Losers always whine about 'giving it their best.' Winners go home and fuck the prom queen."

"Carla was the prom queen."

by NHZ on Mar 23, 2007 4:54 PM EDT reply actions

Seems short-sighted

Cordier has more value to us than a guy who is essentially a Blanco clone. Yes, he's injured, but he would have had plenty of time to recover.

Tony Pena's minor league line: .253/.285/.335

He's sorta like Gathright offensively, except without the plate discipline.

by marbotty on Mar 23, 2007 4:55 PM EDT reply actions

wow

slim pickings, but nothing like another former brave

by LeoBloom on Mar 23, 2007 4:59 PM EDT reply actions

I'd rather play Blanco

because not only are Blanco's minor league stats better, and (presumably) they are comparable defensively, Blanco is 23 and Pena is 26.

If we aren't going to upgrade this position the right way, then spend the year finding out if Blanco might actually improve enough with the stick.

Let's wait and hear what GMDM has to say - perhaps he's not done acquiring shortstops.

by loyal2s dad on Mar 23, 2007 5:00 PM EDT reply actions

after reading the article... this may be an okay

trade. The BJ Handbook stats are not impressive regarding Tony P. If his glove is better than Blanco's then that is all I ask. A good solid defensive SS that bats .250 would be a big upgrade from what we got.

When to they waive Berroa? Or is Buddy going to try him in centerfield?

by grudz69 on Mar 23, 2007 5:01 PM EDT reply actions

It'd be okay if it were for

Bobby Keppel or Andy VanHekken or Pat Maholmes.

Not okay for a guy who was our 2nd round pick less than 3 years ago, posted a very respectable ERA and WHIP last season (2.70, 1.133) and is still under 21 years of age.

by marbotty on Mar 23, 2007 5:05 PM EDT up reply actions

I kinda agree

by Freneau on Mar 23, 2007 5:11 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm trying reeeeal hard, Ringo

to be the shepherd, but I just can't see the logic in this one.

It's like reupholstering the deck chairs on the Titanic at a high cost of using a new color when you still have some leftover material from the first time you upholstered them.

by loyal2s dad on Mar 23, 2007 5:03 PM EDT reply actions

Maybe Moore is trying to establish himself

...as an idiot. Then, when an important trade comes along (Huber/Sweeney), he can stealthily extract some real value from the opposing owner.

Either than, or Dayton caught Cordier eating tacos during rehab.

by marbotty on Mar 23, 2007 5:10 PM EDT up reply actions

the day the universe changed

anyone remember that show?

by Freneau on Mar 23, 2007 5:10 PM EDT reply actions

For me

It certainly is disappointing to hear a guy like Cordier is going who WAS a second round pick in 2004, but I don't think he was ever going to have a hand in reshaping this franchise anytime soon. Keep in mind this guy is about to miss his second full season in the last three years which would put him at 22 and probably looking at High A ball. I liked him a lot, but as far as 2007 goes, we aren't losing anything at all.

The thing I'm most excited about is that if Pena can just play some slightly above average defense, it will manifest itself in great benefits toward our pitchers.

As far as Blanco goes, his defense may even be comparable to Pena's but I think he would contend for worst everyday offensive player in the bigs. Whereas Pena can be acceptable, hopefully. Like grudz said, if we can get .250 to .260 with good defense I will be happy.

I do feel bad for Jacob from Lamar though, (http://www.royalsreview.com/story/2006/11/13/171431/80),
from a mailbag long ago.

by wildthang on Mar 23, 2007 5:23 PM EDT reply actions

One last thing (until the next thing)

I think I'll be writing a more in-depth about the trade and Moore in general, but let me just whet the appetite with these two quotes from Baseball America and Baseball Prospectus:

On Tony Pena
"Pena's not really a prospect...and he's nothing special defensively."

"... he is a vortex of suck with the bat. Tony Pena, Jr. will ever (sic) be able to hit enough to be Neifi Lite"

On Erik Cordier
"Patience will be required as he comes back from (Tommy John) surgery, but his arm strength is rare and the Royals think his upside rivals Hochevar's..."

by marbotty on Mar 23, 2007 6:01 PM EDT up reply actions

angel get's $$$$$$$

IF THE ANGEL go's to the minor's he still get's his guaranteed $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
just a high priced AAA player

by PREDATOR1 on Mar 23, 2007 6:33 PM EDT reply actions

Our long national nightmare is over

We'll at least have a good defensive SS this year. And we lost a B prospect with a blown out elbow. This is not a catastrophe people.

No matter how bad Pena is at the plate, he won't be as bad as Berroa. And he's not the "SS of the future".

by Scott McKinney on Mar 23, 2007 6:38 PM EDT reply actions

Agreed

Right on NY.

I see him as a bridge player. Either until DM can find a really good SS for cheap, or until one of our higher upside prospects develops, meaning Jeff Bianchi or if Chris McConnell gets back on track.

by doublestix on Mar 23, 2007 6:43 PM EDT up reply actions

Could Pena be worse than

Berroa was last year? I don't think that is possible. For the Royals to make this move, it shows that they are serious about getting rid of Berroa even if it means sending him to Omaha. Perhaps that would get him to reality. If not, cut him loose. Eating the salary would show KC is serious about the underachievers like R. Hernandez, Sisco and the rest.

Cordier is a risky prospect at best with his TJ surgery. It will be at least a year before he recovers from surgery and he has only pitched a few innings above rookie ball.

by daveyork on Mar 23, 2007 8:28 PM EDT reply actions

He Gone!

I'm shocked that there isn't more wild celebration breaking out on this site. DM has emancipated us at last!

I too am dumbfounded by the fact that we traded for a Blanco knock-off when we already own the original. But this is of minor consequence at this point. There should be pandemonium in the streets of KC tonight.

Like Dude, my joy is only slightly quelled by my empathy for Jacob from Lamar and ZeppelinDZ. We're here if you need us Zepp.

by chukar on Mar 23, 2007 9:16 PM EDT reply actions

argh

Still won't be pleased until he is optioned/released/traded/DFA'd.

by doublestix on Mar 24, 2007 12:11 AM EDT up reply actions

I'd wait

Let us not let our displeasure with Berroa lead to a move that isn't smart. I think the best thing would be to send him to AAA. Maybe he'll perform like a AAAA player there, convincing some bad GM that it is worth taking a small risk on him. Then maybe we could trade him for a C prospect and throw in several million of his salary. That way we could get back some of his lost salary. I think it's worth a shot.

by Scott McKinney on Mar 24, 2007 10:36 AM EDT up reply actions

Defensive comparison

According to Minor Leauge Splits, both Pena and Blanco are plus fielders; however, Blanco is significantly better than Pena.

Blanco has a +15 rating over a 150 game season.
Pena has a +3 rating over the same span.

Since I don't think Pena is likely to hit much better than Blanco, and field a bit worse than him, I don't see the logic in trading away value to acquire Pena. Maybe Pena is one of More's old favorites from his days with the Braves?

Color me puzzled about this one.

But then again, the Gload deal looks pretty good now and I was pretty colorfully puzzled about that one a month ago also.

Rock Chalk Talk for pretty good KU College Baseball Coverage

by James Quinn on Mar 23, 2007 10:55 PM EDT reply actions

DM is selling two arguments:

He's a plus defender. Will not be surprising if this doesn't hold up when compared with Blanco. Blanco has all the tools but needs to be more consistent. Will be shocked if Pena is a significant defensive upgrade.
He started his baseball career late, so despite the fact that he's 26, he's still maturing as a hitter. Seems they are basing a lot of this on his spring results. Hmmm.

Oh, I forgot, he lives baseball 24/7, will be a fan favorite, and of course is a former Brave, so he's been raised right.

Looks like a wash at best, with an older player, so yea, wonder why. Let the baseless speculation begin. Is there some ill will with Blanco we haven't heard about? Do they see him as more than a stopgap, because Blanco is at least that. Yea, puzzling.

Nevertheless, I'm thrilled the organization is willing to do the right thing in flushing Berroa, so no complaints here.

by chukar on Mar 23, 2007 11:27 PM EDT up reply actions

Huzzah!

Guys! No More Berroa! Does anything else matter? Nothing can mitigate my joy at this news. Happy happy day!

by howserfan on Mar 24, 2007 11:24 AM EDT reply actions

Maybe...

Pena was picked up to sit on the bench as a backup SS to Blanco. It could just mean that they want to force Berroa to AAA and that they don't have any faith in whichever Gonzalez that we have.

Although, it's probably just an untypical challenge trade. A player that hasn't done anything for a player that might never do anything (because of TJ)

"I DARE you to make less sense."

by dejackso on Mar 24, 2007 1:39 PM EDT reply actions

I suppose

but looks even worse to give up a 2nd round pick, albeit with 2 surgeries, for a backup SS. German needs ABs, and can get some at SS. I'm inferring from DM's comments they see him as a starter.

Still, I'm happy because Berroa will undoubtedly be in the top 65% of AAA shortstops.

by chukar on Mar 24, 2007 2:22 PM EDT up reply actions