REDS SWAP PENA FOR ARROYO
The Cincinnati Reds acquired pitcher Bronson Arroyo and cash from the Boston Red Sox for outfielder Wily Mo Pena.
What does it give the Cincinnati Reds
It's no secret that the Reds' big problem for years now has been their lack of starting pitching, so Arroyo is a quality acquisition for them. He's no savior and he's not the ace they need -- after all he was the fifth starter in Boston -- but he has emerged as a solid, innings-eating righty with good command over the past couple of years. Meanwhile, the Reds are left with a hole in the outfield after years of surplus there. But Adam Dunn could return to left field, with Scott Hatteberg at first. Or they could have a second baseman, Ryan Freel or Tony Womack, play some outfield.
What does it give the Boston Red Sox
The Bo-Sox have used their pitching surplus to net a real prize here in Pena. He's just 24 and has superstar potential, particularly if he can become a little more disciplined at the plate. He's hit 45 home runs in just over a full season's worth of at-bats over the past two years, hopping on and off the bench with the Reds. Trouble is, just after the Reds cleared an everyday job for him for 2006, they traded him into another situation where there are already three starting outfielders. This could be a prelude to another trade involving Pena or any of the other Boston outfielders, because Pena needs to play every day now.
Fantasy impact
