After one season with Chicago Cubs, free-agent first baseman and designated hitter Carlos Peña has agreed to terms on a one-year, $7.25M contract with the Tampa Bay Rays, according to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports. Peña hit .225/.357/.463 with 28 home runs and 80 RBI in his only season with the Cubs, and after turning down salary arbitration earlier in the offseason he now returns to the franchise where he has had his most success as a professional player.
Heyman also said the Indians were hoping to add the slugger, but he wanted to return to the Rays. It likely had more to do with opportunity than money. Just like the Cubs, the Indians have a young prospect in place at first base (Matt LaPorta), while the Rays can take Peña and plug him in at first base and in the middle of the lineup from day one. For his career, the 33-year old Peña has hit .239/.352/.486 over 11 MLB seasons.
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