Carlos Pena Continues To Swing The Big Stick

by Tommy Rancel on Apr 28, 2009 3:00 PM EDT Comment 23 comments

Tampa Bay Rays' Carlos Pena leads the majors with nine home runs. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)

Albert Pujols is good, but Carlos Pena is better. That's right I said it; Carlos Pena is better than Albert Pujols...right now....in terms of isolated power or ISO. After watching Los slug his major league leading ninth home run of the season, I decided to see who is exhibiting the most overall power in the league. While Pena leads all of baseball in home runs, he does not have the highest slugging percentage. That belongs to Torii Hunter, yes that Torii Hunter. In fact, Los doesn't even have the highest slugging percentage amongst first basemen in the AL East. That would be Kevin Youkilis, who thanks to seven doubles has a .729 slugging percentage.

Despite trailing in slugging, Pena is leading the world is isolated power .

Player	Team	ISO
Carlos Pena	Rays	0.432
Torii Hunter	Angels	0.415
Ian Kinsler	Rangers	0.366
Jason Bay	Red Sox	0.361
Brandon Inge	Tigers	0.359
Albert Pujols	Cardinals	0.347
Mike Cameron	Brewers	0.344
Evan Longoria	Rays	0.343
Raul Ibanez	Phillies	0.342
CarlosQuentin	WhiteSox	0.338

His .432 ISO tops Hunter's .415. Among his peers at first base, Pena carries a 0.85 lead in the category over Pujols, who comes in second with a .347 mark. We've all seen Los's power in the two plus years that we've had the privilege of watching him in a Rays' uniform and we all know this power surge is legit. Nevertheless, a .400 ISO is pretty unlikely unless Pena takes a leap to Barry Bonds levels. In 2008, he had a .247 ISO which was down almost .100 points from his miraculous 2007 in which he lead the league in ISO with a .345. If Pena can settle the difference between his 2007 and 2008 seasons we could be looking at the second 40+ home run season in Rays' history.

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Comments

he speaks softly and carries a big stick

new nickname: Teddy Roosevelt

by davidsmarch on Apr 28, 2009 3:05 PM EDT reply actions 5 recs

Rec'd

www.draysbay.com

by Tommy Rancel on Apr 28, 2009 3:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Plz

this

I could be wrong though

by staplemaniac on Apr 28, 2009 4:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i thought 3 went green?

by davidsmarch on Apr 28, 2009 5:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

RJ made it 5 as the site grows, so do our standards.

Tools Whore

by Tyler on Apr 29, 2009 10:36 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That happened months ago.

People just don’t rec things around here besides me and a few others.

by R.J. Anderson on Apr 29, 2009 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Supposing he stays healthy, there is no reason he won't hit 40+ again.

The question is, do we think he’ll hold up for another 2-3 years? The typical stance seems to be that he’ll fall apart in his mid thirties like most first basemen sluggers, but he’s not exactly David Ortiz-Mo Vaughan. He’s fit and athletic. I don’t see why he won’t age as well as Thome has – who happens to be his second most similar comparable via PECOTA.

He also strikes me as the kind of guy who would take a below market deal to stay with us.

by Suttree on Apr 28, 2009 3:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I don't think Los will have a fast steep decline.

He’s still a plus defender at first base could be for another 2-3 years. Unless Sheridan or Hughes breaks out, a Los extension for below market might not be a bad idea. Of course we’ll see where we’re at this time next year.

www.draysbay.com

by Tommy Rancel on Apr 28, 2009 3:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Of course this is assuming

Carlos is willing to take a below market deal.

www.draysbay.com

by Tommy Rancel on Apr 28, 2009 3:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

He has the wrong agent.

But the right personality.

by Lurch's Lobbyists on Apr 28, 2009 4:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't think Boras will be the issue here

He’s probably willing to stay for below market value, the problem is if the Rays think he’ll decline, they won’t offer him something relatively close to that figure which is what I’d think he’d be willing to take.

"Where we all wait in earnest with pudding in hand for the Upton comet to sail through the roofed skies, so that we may meet Him."

by kericr on Apr 28, 2009 4:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You never know

He may fire Bore-Ass.

AC/DC + Tampa Bay Rays = Big Balls on a Budget

by Orlando Rays on Apr 28, 2009 4:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Im just thinking it will most likely be his last chance to get a big contract.

If he takes more money else where you can’t fault him for looking out for his future.

www.draysbay.com

by Tommy Rancel on Apr 28, 2009 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Unlikely.

I’ve never understood the hate for Boras. He’s evil because he gets his clients as much money as he possibly can and takes it away from the poor billionaire owners? Come on.

Secondly, Carlos has already accepted a below market deal with Boras as his adviser. And trust me, that decision was all Carlos. Boras will never advise his client to take a below market deal. He can lie to his client about how much money he’s being offered, but he can’t make them not take a deal. Ultimately he’s still just an adviser.

Tools Whore

by Tyler on Apr 29, 2009 10:41 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs