April 13, 2012
The San Diego Padres addressed a concern today, coming to terms with the Tampa Bay Rays on a trade that will send 27-year-old first baseman Jesus Guzman, 24-year-old starting pitcher Anthony Bass, 28-year-old right fielder Jeremy Hermida and 28-year-old closer Huston Street from the Padres to the Rays in exchange for 24-year-old minor league starting pitcher Alex Torres, 33-year-old first baseman Carlos Pena, 21-year-old minor league starting pitcher Matthew Spann and 19-year-old minor league second baseman Johnny Eierman.
There had been rumors about a Street for Pena trade, but the Padres also throwing in 1B/LF Jesus Guzman came of a surprise to some people. According to a source close to the Padres organization, the team was fed up with Guzman's lack of a glove. Since Pena is a great fielder and power hitter, Guzman became expendable. The addition of Guzman, Bass and Hermida (the latter 2 of which were just placed on waivers) allowed the Padres to get high rated prospects SP Matthew Span (Rookie Ball), 2B Johnny Eierman (Short-Season A) and SP Alex Torres (Triple A). According to scouts, Torres is a future ace of a staff and has posted good numbers in every single stop on his way to the MLB.
To date this season Guzman is hitting .182 with no home runs. While Pena is batting .250 with 3 home runs, 7 RBIs and 5 runs scored in 6 games. He has 6 hits in 24 at-bats.