Willy Mo Pena Released by Nationals (1 Viewer)

[Eephus]

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/nationals...onal_relea.html

Tools for days but pretty much mishandled every step of his career. Coulda been a contender, coulda been somebody, instead of a bum.

 

[MrPhoenix]

He'll still find work somewhere, maybe a minor league deal. Still too young and too many tools to let languish in Japan or Mexico.

Edit: Same thing kind of applies for Dallas McPherson, who was cut by the Marlins.

 

[guru_007]

crowded Nats outfield - not surprising he got cut - Kearns is having a nice spring, Willingham is there, Dunn, Milledge.

I'm real surprised Dmitri Young wasn't cut. He was way more expendable, and I'm not familiar with his contract but I would have to think it's more money. I know he had a handshake agreement with the owner....but sheesh, Young is way past his prime

 

[cosjobs]

Willie "No Mo" Pena

 

[Eephus]

It may be too late now, but I wonder what would have happened if a manager had given him an every day job in the OF and let him get comfortable in the role. It's hard enough to lay off bad pitches and take correct routes on fly balls if you're only playing twice a week. Plus he seemed to press which only made things worth.

He signed a major league contract when he was really young (16 or 17). If he'd been American, he probably would have benefitted from some high school--it would probably help him now as well, and his initial contract would have been a minor league deal. His contract status forced him to get rushed through a couple of systems and he ended up in Cincinnati before he was ready.