Carlos Pena had his breakout season back in 2007 with the then Tampa Bay Devil Rays and really made a name for himself over the next three seasons in Tampa. That being said, it’s only fitting that Pena could potentially end his career in Tampa.

Pena is reunited with the Rays

The Rays have brought back Pena on a one-year, $7.25 million contract a baseball source told ESPN.com today. Pena put up a .225/.357/.402 slash line with the Chicago Cubs in 2011 with 28 HR’s in 606 plate appearances.

This is a really good signing by the Rays and a move that seemingly came out of nowhere.

The Rays signed Luke Scott last week to be their DH and after spending $6.5 million on Scott, one figured the Rays would roll with Russ Canzler at first base. But the Rays saw an opportunity to upgrade at first as a reasonable cost and they did just that.

There was the opportunity to bring Casey Kotchman back, but this deal with Pena represents “consistency” vs. “fluke.” Kotchman had a career year with the Rays in 2011 as he put up a .351 wOBA, but the Rays’ organization probably took a look at his season (.335 BABIP)and thought there was no way he could repeat that.

With Pena, they are banking on consistency. Take out Pena’s dreadful 2010 season — his last with the Rays, and he has been a pretty consistent producer since 2007. There is no reason not to believe Pena won’t hit 28-30 HR’s in 2012 with a .350+ wOBA.

The Rays were mediocre at best against right-handed pitching in 2011 (.714 OPS), but if Scott can bounce back and now with the addition of Pena, the Rays should be much better off against right-handed pitching in 2012.

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By The Baseball Index