Ramiro Pena proved capable - if not a revelation - in small samples at multiple infield positions this season.
Now, the Yankees will ask the defensively adept rookie to try on another glove to enhance his versatility and his long-term value to the organization.
Pena, as expected, was optioned to Triple-A Scranton before Wednesday night's game against Seattle to accommodate trade pickup Eric Hinske's addition to the 25-man roster. The 23-year-old Pena will start some games as an outfielder, Joe Girardi said, making him that much more attractive as a late-season call-up and potential super-sub if injuries arise at the major-league level.
Great to see the kid handling this situation the right way. After all, he has no reason to be down on himself. He was great while he was here and as long as he stay's healthy I suspect he'll be back sooner than most of us expect."They told me I have a chance to be here for a long time. (Girardi) told me just keep playing hard and I will be back," said Pena, an undrafted free-agent signing who surprisingly made the roster out of spring training after Alex Rodriguez underwent hip surgery. "I was happy to be here and proud to be here. They gave me a chance. I never thought I was going to play as much as I played. But I'm going to be even more confident when I come back.
"We have a lot of good players here and I'm the youngest one. And I know I need to play a little more."
Added Girardi: "He did more than we expected. He was great. We want him to go down and play some different positions, but we loved having him here and he's got a bright future."
Next year, with Damon and Matsui not returning, maybe Jeter goes to left and Pena plays shortstop.
ReplyDeleteI've always thought that the Yankees might resign Damon for 1, maybe 2 years after this season, but to do that he needs to play LF most of the time. I still say when Damon hits, the Yankees win. But I also wonder if it may be time to let him go after this season along with Matsui, which will free up DH 100% for Posada maybe 2/3 of the time & to rest another ballplayer (A-Rod, Jeter) maybe 1/3 of the time, and utilize Cervelli more at catcher and Pena more at SS/3B. The Yankees certainly performed well as a team with both those kids playing. Great energy, heads-up baseball.
ReplyDeleteI know Mike Francesa is a big proponent of Jeter in LF, tho I don't see it happening in 2010. But it's not a terrible idea. I can't imagine the Yankees letting him leave unless he loses it fast between now and next season. So maybe in 2011 with his new contract we'll see him in LF. You might need Damon in LF in 2010 to bridge the gap to Jeter.
Jeter is having arguably(sp?) his finest fielding season. It is very premature to talk about him moving to LF next year. Maybe 2-3 years from now, but he is more than capable at SS this year and prob the next 2 also.
ReplyDeleteJeter may move out there one day, but Scotty is right, this has been his best year in the field so far. As long as he can play at this level or close to it I'd keep Jeter at SS.
ReplyDeleteIf the ball is hit directly to him other than that he is a huge liability in the field.
ReplyDeleteThey want to make Pena into a superutility guy who can play everywhere on the field. Kind of like Omar Infante or Chone Figgins. I think that is a smart move those guys are valuable. And Jeter is having a great season at short he is not moving.
ReplyDeleteThe idea of the Yankees moving Jeter to left and peña to short is a good idea. But if Scotty B and Greg are right, and Jeter doesn't move to left, then the move that the yankees just made is so stupid. This kid has so much talent I can't believe that we kept Cody Ransom over him. Why didnt they sent cody ransome to the minors and did what they were planing to do with jeter with him instead. Why did Cashman traded for this guy Hinske when he said numerous time that theey would not go after a bat. Stupid, Stupid Stupid, And to top it off, the very next game Hinske gets hurt. NO MORE COMENTS!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI've never been a defender of Jeter's defense, but he really has been great this year... look at the stats. They're the same stats I and others have used to knock him as a defensive SS and now he's trending upwards, which is ridiculous, but it is what it is. Good for Jeet, all those lateral movement exercises are really working for him.
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