Carlos Pena released

Today, the Tigers released Carlos Pena.

While I'm not ready to go and surgically remove my new Detroit Tigers tattoo or anything, this is a bummer all around. At least it wasn't unexpected, though. Pena has been a frustrating player the last three years, no doubt about that. But he's also been the Tigers' only hitter that can remain both healthy and maintain an OPS above .800 (Guillen is the only other Tiger to post .800+ OPS in the last two years). He also has a sweet swing and is one of the best defensive first basemen I've ever seen.

Pena has been my favorite Tiger for a while now, and I'm sad to see him go. But he could actually be coming. The Baltimore Sun reported a couple of weeks back that the Orioles be interested in Pena if he were released. I'm hoping he ends up here. Camden Yards' short right field is perfectly tailored for Pena's home run swing. And I think the Javy Lopez first base experiement is doomed for failure. He's maddeningly inconsistent sometimes, but when Pena is on, he's a force. Last year, nobody in baseball hit more homeruns than Pena (15 in 130 at-bats) did in August and September, except for Bonds.

The other rumors I've heard about his destination? The Yankees. That would be disturbing.