NOV. 28: The Cardinals announced today that they’ve granted Pena his unconditional release.
NOV. 21: The Cardinals announced on Monday that they have designated backup catcher Brayan Pena for assignment in order to clear a spot on the 40-man roster for Brett Cecil, whose four-year contract is now official.
Pena, 35 in January, signed a two-year, $5MM contract to serve as the primary backup to Yadier Molina last offseason but was limited to just 14 plate appearances with the Cardinals due to lingering knee problems that persisted after he underwent surgery back in April. Prior to his injury-marred 2016 campaign, Pena was Cincinnati’s backup catcher (though injuries to Devin Mesoraco increased his role). In 739 plate appearances with the Reds, Pena slashed .263/.313/.339 with five homers and prevented 25 percent of stolen bases attempted against him to go along with slightly below-average framing marks. In parts of a dozen Major League seasons, the veteran Pena is a .259/.299/.351 hitter.
Pena, who is owed $2.5MM by the Cardinals next season, figures to clear waivers and become a free agent (though the team can certainly attempt to trade him before exposing him to waivers). At that point, he’ll be eligible to be signed by any club, and his new team would be on the hook only for the league minimum. Any salary he earns with a new team will be subtracted from what the Cardinals owe him, but St. Louis will be on the hook for at least $2MM to Pena in 2017.
So does that leave Carson Kelley as the backup. Even when Pena did get his few games in, teams ran on him constantly bc he has a terrible arm. Glad they decided defense is more important than offense in a backup catch. I personally miss Tony Cruz…he couldn’t hit but not much was lost defensively when Yadi needed a day off.
Pretty interesting for Kelly. I really expected Kelly to be in Memphis for a couple months, then brought up to learn from Yadi the rest of the season. He just might be on the Opening Day roster.
I would imagine the Cards pick up a veteran backstop to start the year. Kelly would be better served playing every day in AAA than riding the bench. Unless St. Louis wants to cut Molina’s playing time, which sounds like a terrible idea.
Wow, can baseball fans everywhere sit and marvel for a moment over how bad Brayan Pena was in 2016? He may be done.
I thought he was joining the military after last year.
Too bad the deal didn’t work out
C’mon braves
Why on earth would you want him. He is terrible behind the plate and only other position he plays is 1st and you all are covered there. Basically no power so he can’t even be a power bat off the bench.
We just picked up tuffy… Penya is a switch hitter- With better splits from the left side. He started his career with the braves. He is an above average hitting catcher. Dickey needs a catcher to torture.
1. We just picked up tuffy
2. He is a switch hitter with a plus hit tool that sports a platoon split vs RHP
3. Flowers and recker will not survive 162 games without injury
4. RA Dickey…
5. Pena worked his way to the MLB in our organization
6. Brayan when healthy might be the best catcher in our organization
Believe me, Pena will not be the best catcher in any organization. I love the guy but he honestly sucks as a catcher.
He would fit as a replacement for Saltalamachia on the Tigers. He would only require the league minimum, and he is a switch hitter. While he wouldn’t provide the power Salty did, I would be quite surprised if he didn’t beat his average. I also cant believe that backup catcher is a position the Tigers are concerned about getting younger at. The only question is whether Pena’s knees are healthy.
Yeah I could see a reunion between the Tigers and Pena. Could also see Alex Avila as an option
I hope the A’s can sign him. We need a cleanup hitter
FYI he only has 23 career homeruns, and it’s not like he’s only been in the league for a couple years.
Fairly certain he was being sarcastic
He will have been paid just over 357 thousand dollars per at bat with the Cardinals.
Not a good investment.
Hahaha A’s cleanup was a good one. I hear Billy has been on the phone discussing a Gray for Pena deal.
I’m happy with this. Kelly is a 2nd round draft pick and has done all he can do in the minor leagues.
Plus, he brings more power to the bench than Pena or Cruz ever did.
That should have worked out better for St. Louis than it did.
Thanks for all the memories in St. Louis Pena.
Hahaha good one
He’d be perfect as a 3rd catcher at that price. Though I’d imagine hell lean towards who can offer the most playing time
Could be a nice grab for another team. Only con is that age might be catching up to the catcher.
I don’t want him for the Braves I want Alex Avila