Why Chicago Cubs' Carlos Pena Will Be Back with the Cubs at First Base in 2012

The Chicago Cubs are going to have a job opening at first base next season.

The Cubs will have a few options with what they could do at the position. I have had my opinions in the past, but things have certainly changed with some events over the last few weeks. Still, everyone in Chicago has one thing on their mind:

When are the Cubs signing Albert Pujols or Prince Fielder?

Almost everyone in Chicago seems convinced that one of these situations is going to happen. I am sure some people are even convinced the Cubs will get both, and that just shows how out of hand this situation has become amongst fans. Chances are though, you will not be seeing either of these men in a uniform on the North Side, but rather a familiar face.

That familiar face would be current Chicago Cubs first baseman Carlos Pena. Many of you may groan at that answer, and I understand. His name is not as flashy as a Pujols or Fielder, but lets break down the situations that have occurred to make Pena the Cubs' likely option come winter.

First of all, Albert Pujols was asking for a $300 million contract from St. Louis. I know the Cubs are a big-market team, but it seems like big contracts like this are something they want to leave in the rear-view mirror. Don't get me wrong—Pujols may be worth every penny, but the Cubs can't risk giving out another huge contract to a star that could be fading sooner than later.

Pujols knows that St. Louis is his home, and he also understands the rivalry between his Cardinals and the Chicago Cubs. Ultimately though, money talks.  Pujols' numbers are down this season, but that likely will not change his price tag. That is what scares me, especially if the Cubs are willing to pay him around $300 million or even more. I know that Pujols has been injured this season, but he is also having a statistically down year.

As a Cubs fan—and seeing the contracts that have been given out in the past—it honestly makes me reconsider just how awesome it would be to take away St. Louis baseball's pride and joy. Especially at 32 years old. The money factor also depends on who takes over this team. With the names that been thrown around, you are looking at big money (Brian Cashman) or small money (Billy Beane).

The second situation is what is going on in Milwaukee right now. The Brewers not only have the best record in the NL Central, but the Brew Crew are knocking on the Phillies' door for the top spot in the National League. I just don't see Prince Fielder leaving this great young team for a project in Chicago. The Brewers lost their guy in CC Sabathia, and I don't expect them to want to look like fools again to another big market team.

The Brewers will likely do whatever they can to keep their Prince in Milwaukee. Milwaukee also knows it will have to pay Fielder big, and the team recently showed it's not afraid to shell out the cash with the contract it gave Ryan Braun.

Fielder and Pujols will probably be looking at the same money, even though Pujols has three MVPs. Once again, the money situation comes into play with Chicago and whatever direction it decides to take. Ultimately, you never know what can happen; however, I don't see it happening with the current situation in Milwaukee.

The last thing is that the Cubs were able to give away Pena for at least something in return when the New York Yankees claimed him off of waivers. Pena is on a one-year deal with $10 million spread over three years, so the Cubs are going to be paying him even if he is not in Cubbie blue. That being said, I don't see the reason for the Cubs pulling him back being an issue of covering his costs because they were going to be paying him without receiving his services down the line anyways.

So how does Pena manage to find himself on the North Side next year?

First of all, Pena is part of a club looking to rebuild. A veteran presence is important in rebuilding. Pena has been a part of teams in despair, looking back to his days with the Rays—before they became the threat they are today. Without Pena, the Cubs potentially would be short of a positive presence in an everyday player.

Starlin Castro is the future of the Cubs, but he certainly does not carry the experience to be a positive influence on young players. Keeping a guy like Pena around is important if the Cubs ultimately decide to go with a build-from-the-farm approach.

Pena may not be the stud he was years ago, but his batting average is at .225 this season, which is up from .195 last year. While noe amazing numbers, it's certainly an improvement. He is still hitting the long ball and is sitting only four behind his number last year with a month left in the season.

Pena has made improvements from last year, and that is what the Cubs were hoping to see when they signed him. The Cubs were generous enough to give him $3 million a year for three years on a one-year deal, especially after a horrible previous season. Pena will have to consider giving the Cubs a "home town discount" if they decide to pursue him for next season.

Pena seems like the best in-house option at the moment, as the Cubs really don't have anyone else to take on the position besides potential free agents. Tyler Colvin's name has been tossed around, but by the way things sound, he is not their answer and is better suited for the outfield.

The Cubs do have a few minor league players who have shown potential, but none are designated first baseman. They may decide to give D.J. LeMahieu a shot down the stretch, but I don't see the rising second baseman winning the job from a veteran like Carlos Pena. Especially since he doesn't play the position.

He has played second and third base, so if the Cubs do decide to stick with Darwin Barney and Aramis Ramirez, LeMahieu may get a shot to try for first base. In the minors, his numbers dropped from AA to AAA. Starting at .358 in AA, falling to .279 in AAA. Nothing is set in stone, but nothing proves that his numbers will increase at the next level up. We will have to see if the Cubs even end up seeing him as a viable option at first. 

That pretty much brings the Cubs down to an easy decision if they either strike out on Fielder or Pujols, or they just ultimately decide to not pursue either. Carlos Pena is the next best guy on the list. Players like Lance Berkman, Derrek Lee, Jim Thome and Nick Johnson just don't serve as better options. Especially after the Cubs gave up acquiring at least something in return, one would have to assume that the club is planning on keeping Pena. The Cubs could have at least been able to make a play at Pena if he did move clubs, so it seems as if the Cubs and Carlos Pena have at least another year together.

Pena may not be the ideal option Chicago Cubs' fans want to hear. In the end though, they are at least getting a guy who is a leader, great fielder and has the potential to go yard every time he steps up to the plate.