Alright, so I didn’t get who I wanted to play first base for The Cubs this upcoming season. I really think Lance Berkman would have been a better option at first base rather than newly signed Carlos Pena. For one, it would have saved some money that could have been put towards that veteran starter they wanted in their rotation. Secondly, I think Berkman will be set to have a bigger season than Pena in the end. Berkman could also spell Soriano in LF in order to give Tyler Colvin time at first, if that’s what The Cubs want. Obviously Colvin’s skills are better used in the outfield in this point in his career, but it’s best they keep their options open. Hendry has publicly said (prior to signing Pena) Colvin would be the opening day starter if the season started today.

Scott Boras, Pena’s agent, is taking the “sign for one year to get the big contract next year” approach, much like he did with Adrian Beltre last season. In Beltre’s case it’s going to pay off with some large dividends in the very near future. This too, is a better deal for The Cubbies as well. If he fails to produce this upcoming season, they’re just out the $10 million they spend this season. The one year contract will probably just be a placeholder for a larger acquisition next season. Rumor has it they will make a big push for Prince Fielder if the Brewers can’t keep him in town. It’s also possible they could promote within the organization in too as some of the young prospects develop this season.

This also show the large amount of faith they have in Rudy Jaramillo as their hitting coach. Since Pena’s career year in 2007, his production has decreased every season since. Hopefully playing in hitter friendly Wrigley Field coupled with the best hitting coach in the business, can turn him around this season. He did win a gold glove in 2008 with the then Devil Rays, so he won’t be a liability in the field, like Adam Dunn would have in comparison to Pena or Derrek Lee. This will also help in theory Starlin Castro cut down on this errors this season. Pena is shorter than Lee, so I wouldn’t expect him to get more balls thrown higher than Lee could, but scooping up the low balls could be improved upon. Pena also throws left-handed which will give the fielders a different look than they’ve seen in the past, but shouldn’t affect the overall outcome.

$10 million was a too much to pay Pena to be a one year plug. The Cardinals were able to sign Berkman for one season for only $8 million; however, this will be to play left field. Perhaps Berkman prefers to play left over first, or he just wasn’t on the Cubs radar? I’m not sure. I like the way Berkman plays the game. He’s plays hard and likes to have fun. The switch-hitting would be a good bonus too when they face a left-handed pitcher.

Pena isn’t the piece of the puzzle that they were missing to get back to the playoffs. I’ll be the first to admit that I was on the DLee train, when he came over in the Hee-Seop Choi trade after the 2003 season and it’s been pretty difficult to get off the train now that he’s going to end up somewhere else. He had become the leader and the face of the team. It’s hard to say where that will go this season. Castro is well on his way to doing that, but only being 20, he’s got a lot to learn. This move isn’t expected to make The Cubs an immediate playoff contender. I have a hard time seeing them making the playoffs the current way the team is built.

I hope I’m eating my words by the end of the season because that would mean that Pena would have a really productive season. In the end that’s all The Cubs need at first base for the time being. Even if The Cubs tank, they could still either get prospects in a deadline trade or supplemental draft picks if he stays all season and find a long term deal elsewhere. Either way those are win-win situations for The Cubs.

Besides this gives them a resounding lead in the Carloses. They now will have Carlos Zambrano, Carlos Marmol, Carlos Silva and now Carlos Pena all on one roster.