Guide Note

Wily Mo Pena is an outfielder for the Washington Nationals. A native of the Dominican Republic, Pena originally signed with the New York Mets as an amateur free agent in 1998. Pena's contract with the Mets was voided however, and a year later Pena sign with the New York Yankees. Pena was traded from the Yankees to the Cincinnati Reds where he made his major league debut on September 10, 2002. Pena played for the Reds, and the Red Sox, before a trade sent him to Washington in 2007.

Fast Facts

1. Full name: Wilfredo Modesto Peña
2. Born: January 23, 1982
3. Birthplace: Laguna Salada, Dominican Republic
4. Received a $2.3MM signing bonus from the New York Mets, the largest ever for an amateur free agent

• July 15, 1998: Signed as an amateur free agent by the New York Mets.

• February 28, 1999: Free agent signing by the New York Mets voided.

• April 5, 1999: Signed with the New York Yankees as a Free Agent.

• March 21, 2001: Traded to the Cincinnati Reds for Drew Henson and Michael Coleman

• March 20, 2006: Traded to the Boston Red Sox for Bronson Arroyo and cash.

• August 17, 2007: Traded with cash to the Washington Nationals for Chris Carter.

Pena is a very good hitter with runners on base. He has shown flashes of tremendous power.[1]

Pena is a free swinger, and strikes out a lot. He is not an asset defensively in the outfield.[2]