Kuzul

So, Carlos Pena is a Cub. The slugging first baseman reportedly signed a one-year, $10 million contract with the Wrigley Field inhabitants Wednesday, giving the Cubs another big bat in their lineup. 

But is Pena worth the money? His power is certainly renowned; he’s blasted 144 home runs and knocked in 407 runs over the last four seasons. And he’s a lefty, something the Cubs are in desperate need of in a lineup filled with right handed hitters. 

Pena’s defense is also stellar, and he’s snagged a Gold Glove (in 2008). 

But Pena’s always been streaky, and he’s been one of baseball’s most notorious boom-or-bust players over the last two seasons. In 2009, he hit .229, but clubbed 38 home runs and drove in 100 runs. Things nosedived off a cliff in 2010, as the slugger hit just .196, and was benched for much of the Rays’ division series loss to the Texas Rangers.

He strikes out a ton, and he joins a team that continues to rank amongst the most impatient in all of baseball at the dish. 

That being said, the contract is only one-year. And Pena can rake, when he’s feeling it. In short, this looks like a low-risk, high-reward venture for the Cubbies. 

For more free agent news, check out MLB Free Agency: Cliff Lee and the 20 Most Coveted Free Agent Pitchers Ever. 

Roger Clemens’ widely anticipated perjury trial has been delayed until July, as the judge granted the defense more time to review the mountains of evidence presented by the prosecution. 

Federal investigators reportedly said that the case has generated over 54,000 pages of evidence, and Clemens’ lawyer, Rusty Hardin, said his team needs more time to review the evidence and have the scientific evidence analyzed by a forensics expert. 

Clemens pled not guilty to the perjury charges on August 30, and the former fireballer has constantly and vehemently denied using steroids. 

The Rocket amassed 354 wins, 4,672 strikeouts and seven Cy Young awards in 23 seasons, and were it not for the allegations against him, would be a lock as a first ballot Hall of Fame selection. 

However, the Congressional testimony of former Yankees trainer Brian McNamee and Clemens’ former teammate and friend Andy Pettitte have cast serious doubt on the legitimacy of the final seasons of Clemens’ career. 

Roger faces six counts in all: three of making false statements, two of perjury and one of obstruction of Congress, and could face up to 30 years in prison if convicted on all counts. 

For more baseball news, check out Cliff Lee: Is Any Pitcher Really Worth a Six-Year, $140 Million Contract? 

Carlos Pena, one of the better power bats still on the market, signed a one-year, $10 million deal with the Chicago Cubs, according to a report on ESPN.com. 

Pena hit 28 home runs for the Tampa Bay Rays in 2010, but had an anemic .196 average and struck out 158 times in 484 at-bats.

Apart from giving the Cubs a much needed left-handed bat to complement Aramis Ramirez and Alfonso Soriano, Pena’s defense is also renowned in baseball circles. He’s an excellent defensive first baseman, and gives the Cubs the kind of first base talent they lacked down the stretch, after trading away Derek Lee. 

Pena has spent time in the Rangers, Tigers and Rays system in his career, and has always had a reputation as a potent, if streaky, slugger. 

Pena was instrumental in the Rays 2008 World Series run, and hit 38 homers and drove in 100 runs in 2009. 

For more MLB news, check out MLB Free Agency: Cliff Lee and the 20 Most Coveted Free Agent Pitchers Ever. 

With baseball’s winter meetings in full swing, it’s time to look at some MLB rumors! 

And, shockingly, there are plenty of those swirling around this winter.

From Cliff Lee’s potential destinations to the ownership situation getting much more complicated in Los Angeles to potential trades and free agent signings, it’s been a busy three days, and it’s going to get even crazier. 

Stick with us for the latest updates on all of baseball’s top stories. 

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

Cliff Lee is undoubtedly the biggest free agent name on the market this offseason, and with good reason. The 32-year old hits almost every key point on the checklist for a must-have pitcher: He’s a dominant, left-handed starting pitcher, who’s capable of striking guys out or getting players to ground out and is in the midst of his prime.

Reports are coming in that Lee has been offered a six-year, $140 million contract by the New York Yankees, who covet his services to an almost obsessive degree.

Lee’s a great pitcher, to be sure; but is he, or any pitcher for that matter, worth a contract of that magnitude? We’re taking a look at both sides of the argument, giving you five reasons why no one is worth that kind of money, and five reasons why Lee is the exception to the rule.

Begin Slideshow

Derek Jeter is a Yankee. Let’s get that out of the way before we get to anything else on this list.

The Yanks and Jeter’s agent are all talk right now, but there’s still lots of wheeling and dealing to be done before the start of spring training, and the Yankee captain is too much of a fan favorite for them to let him get away. 

That being said, there is the slimmest of chances that somehow, someway, Hank and the Steinbrenners screw this thing up. What becomes of the Yankee captain then?

Here are 10 teams who could swoop in and steal Jeter away from the Yanks if things turn south. 

Begin Slideshow

The hot stove season has us awash in MLB rumors. From legendary Yankee Derek Jeter to potential future Yankee Cliff Lee, to Dan Uggla stunning the Marlins, it’s already been a busy offseason. 

We’re running down the free agency rumors on the biggest name free agents in all of baseball, telling you what’s on the radar, and where it looks like the biggest names are heading. Let’s get started. 

Begin Slideshow

According to an article in Esquire Magazine, Minka Kelly, also known as Derek Jeter’s fiancee, is the hottest woman in the world.

Kelly is an actor and model, but what else do you need to know about her? Well, here’s your Minka Kelly guide, with everything you could want to know about this starlet. 

Begin Slideshow

The Texas Rangers clubbed the Tampa Bay Rays 6-0 Thursday to take a commanding 2-0 lead in their ALDS matchup. 

The Rangers have never won a postseason series in the franchise’s history, but that looks like it will change in 2010. Are they just a fluke, destined to burn out in the ALCS, or something bigger and more promising? 

Here are 10 reasons why the Rangers a trustworthy this October. 

Begin Slideshow

Good evening folks and welcome to B/R’s live blog coverage of Game 1 of the ALDS clash between the New York Yankees and the Minnesota Twins. 

The Twins enter the playoffs in the unusual position of having home field advantage, but still widely being viewed as the underdogs in this divisional playoff series. 

We aren’t going to keep you long, and as we get closer to the first pitch, we’ll be bringing you plenty of updates on stats, big plays and of course, spot-on observations regarding what you may or may not be watching. 

Let’s get started, shall we?

Feel free to comment, ask questions, or tell me I’m an idiot in the comment section.

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com