1B Brandon Allen traded to Arizona for P Tony Pena
by RoyalsRetro
on Jul 8, 2025 10:44 AM EDT
57 comments
Brandon Allen is a 23 year old 1B who was hitting .290/.372/.452 7 HR 35 RBI in 62 games at AA before being promoted to AAA where he hit .262/.262/.377 in 15 games.His best year was 2008, where he hit .278/.367/.555 with 29 HR 75 RBI splitting time between high A and AA.
"We wanted another big left-handed bat to grow with our core, primarily a first baseman. Brandon Allen was a guy we’ve been following pretty closely for a while... He definitely has power, is a very good athlete."
-Diamondbacks General Manager Josh Byrnes
Some think Allen could compete for the Arizona first base job as soon as next year. With Connor Jackson seemingly now an outfielder, Tony Clark old an impending free agent, Chad Tracy an impending free agent, and Josh Whitesell not very good, Allen stands to have a good shot.
Thoughts on Allen and the trade in general?
0 recs |
57 comments
| Add comment
Email
Print
Comments
Win/Win
I think it’s a great trade for both teams. Allen immediately becomes the Diamondbacks best offensive prospect and the White Sox sure up their bullpen for the next 3 years. Being somewhat of a White Sox fan, I was hoping Allen would be Konerko’s replacement in 2011. Instead, we get a very good MR who misses bats and should be cheap through 2012. Perfect trade if you ask me. Lets just hope the Diamondbacks don’t rush the kid. I think a 2010 midseason call up isn’t out of the question. Hoping the kid is their starting 1st baseman in the beginning of 2010 is a little lofty if you ask me.
by rutgersjpm on Jul 8, 2025 11:34 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
i do wonder how this trade will affect tyler flowers.
flowers was never really a guy who could catch 120 games a season, but with an opening at 1B, he might not even get a chance to catch half that.
human beings, who are almost unique in their ability to learn from the experiences of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so.
by variablesdont on Jul 8, 2025 12:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I guess the Dbacks dont have much more use for him and who knows maybe they got themselves a young affordable first baseman who could start for them
by Heyward is the next crime dog on Jul 8, 2025 12:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I'm not a big fan of this trade for Chicago.
Then they have Richard and Poreda, with Poreda currently in the pen and getting very few innings. That’s really bad use of the organization’s best pitching prospect. Either give him a full docket of innings in the pen, slot him in the MLB rotation for Clayton Richard (I’m not a big fan of this idea) or send him back to AAA to work in the rotation there.
In terms of value, its close to even with a mild hint to Zona’s favor.
In terms of resource allocation, the Sox did not need to give up one of their better prospects for a reliever. Considering the fact that they have other needs, both pressing and long term, the Sox shouldn’t be trading for a reliever. And, the 1-3 slots in the pen are filled in for a while, even with Dotel leaving for FA , via Jenks, Thornton, Linebrink, and Carrasco. It just looks like a shiny new toy that you’ll really rarely use in the swing of things.
And, if Dayan and Flowers are being seen as more of 1B/DH types, that’s not a good thing for the Sox’ system.
"You end up with a name like ‘Outman,’" he said last week. "What else are you going to do? You’re going to get people out, man." ~ Dallas Braden
Free Travis Buck.
by Blicks on Jul 8, 2025 12:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I don't see Dayan as much of anything in the near future.
by thejd44 on Jul 8, 2025 1:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Why, may I ask?
"You end up with a name like ‘Outman,’" he said last week. "What else are you going to do? You’re going to get people out, man." ~ Dallas Braden
Free Travis Buck.
by Blicks on Jul 8, 2025 1:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Because he's been absolutely horrendous in AA this year. He strikes out a ton, doesn't walk, and isn't showing a ton of power
I know he’s only (supposedly) 19, but he’s signed to a major league contract I believe. At this point, he looks like he’s more than just a couple years away.
by thejd44 on Jul 8, 2025 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Viciedo...
hit .276/.336/.410 in June with a 9:11 BB:K in 105 AB. He’s not hitting well overall, but he’s showing signs of improvement.
by PissedMick on Jul 9, 2025 9:24 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I frankly think this is a big win for the Diamondbacks. Allen is a legit top 100 prospect, and Pena is a languishing middle reliever without a strikeout pitch, with average control and with a minimal ability to go through innings without being touched.
I’m not sure where the strikeout notion is coming from. He has strong groundball tendencies but tends to give up about a hit an inning, and doesn’t come close to fanning a batter per inning. Meh. I’d have to think there was a better option.
I’d be interested in seeing if Pena could handle starting, though. His GB tendencies are pretty favorable.
by WrenFGun on Jul 8, 2025 12:50 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
To support my point, the guy has a WHIP of 1.529 and a SO/9 of 6.2 this season. Color me unimpressed.
by WrenFGun on Jul 8, 2025 12:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I've heard some D-Backs fans complain
He has also given up at times this year. Not a quality you like to hear about a high leverage reliever.
I say its a clear win for the D-Backs. And I’m not even that big a Brandon Allen fan (I don’t think he’s a top 100 prospect for example). But he has a decent chance of at least being good, and I’ll take six years of a decent 1B over three years of a very good reliever anyday.
Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com
by RoyalsRetro on Jul 8, 2025 1:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It’s pretty hard to not give up on that organization right now. In my opinion they have no idea what they’re doing in Arizona this year. A change of scenery might do Pena some good. He was lights out in April and May before having a horrendous June.
My guess is the Sox felt that it would cost them too much money to fix their rotation woes. Now their pen consist of Poreda, Linebrink, Pena, Dotel, Carrasco and Jenks. All they need is to get 6 decent innings out of their aging starters and hopefully those guys will be able to shut the door.
by rutgersjpm on Jul 8, 2025 1:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
aging starters.
ages 37, 30, 26, 25 and 24. how will all those geezers even get to six decent innings?
White Sox Minor League Updates: http://twitter.com/SouthSidelarry
by larry on Jul 8, 2025 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
But who really believes Contreras is only 37?
If you put in his real age, 55, the White Sox average starter age goes through the roof!
by thejd44 on Jul 8, 2025 3:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Colon...
if they can find him and Buehrle’s arm has a ton of miles on it. He’s their ace now and will be for a while. Good idea to protect him.
by rutgersjpm on Jul 8, 2025 4:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, Buehrle's arm has a ton of miles, and pitchers can never be counted on to stay healthy
But a lefty who tops out around 90 mph doesn’t throw a ton of breaking balls seems to have a pretty good chance of staying healthy.
by thejd44 on Jul 8, 2025 7:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Does it matter?
Isnt Buehrle claiming he’s going to retire in two years anyway?
by alskor on Jul 8, 2025 8:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Buerhle is fine
He’s thrown a ton of innings, but I don’t see much to worry about. He doesn’t over-exert himself, his mechanics are solid, and his outstanding pitchability gives him a chance to succeed even when he isn’t at his best stuff-wise.
Assuming the retirement-at-32 talk isn’t for real (which it might be, who can say), I think he pitches into his 40s. He’ll probably end up with St. Louis at some point, of course.
by mrkupe on Jul 8, 2025 8:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Those numbers aren't exactly impressive for a first base prospect
who’s 23 in AA. He looks like a platoon hitter at best.
Linda's in the cold ground, won't see her anymore
Somewhere out on the highway tonight, the drunken engines roar
It's just one of those things, one of those things
-- Al Stewart, "Accident on 3rd St."
In memory of Nick Adenhart and all victims of drunk driving
by PaulThomas on Jul 8, 2025 1:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
This is another case of the Sox system being so bad
That a decent, but not great, prospect is overhyped.
Thing is, the White Sox are going to need some of these prospects soon since their major league team is old and bad. I’m curious as to what Kenny Williams plans on doing in a year or two.
by thejd44 on Jul 8, 2025 1:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
coming into the year, brandon allen was a huge breakout candidate
he’s been okay this year, but he hasn’t broken out. going to tuscon, it’s certainly possible that he’ll OPS 1.000, but even so, i don’t think he’s gonna be any great loss.
human beings, who are almost unique in their ability to learn from the experiences of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so.
by variablesdont on Jul 8, 2025 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
His plate discipline has improved dramatically this year
though his power has dissipated so much as to counteract all those gains. Considering he showed power consistently until not, I’m willing to give him a little bit of time to see if he gets it back. I think he’s still a potential top-10 1B
TheSouthWing.com - A Magazine of essays, prose and poems
by OldProspects on Jul 8, 2025 7:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Progress
He’s shown progress at each and every level. Not only offensively, but defensively. Maybe Arizona figures they don’t have much to lose. Who’s to say he’s not Ryan Howard light? A reach, sure, but people forget that Howard didn’t show much promise until the age of 24.
by rutgersjpm on Jul 8, 2025 2:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
yeah, let's not say that. about anyone. at any level. noone is comparable to ryan howard.
human beings, who are almost unique in their ability to learn from the experiences of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so.
by variablesdont on Jul 8, 2025 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i guess i'll clarify that by saying, the next 6'5" 240 lb. 1st baseman who hits 48 HRs between AA/AAA/MLB, him we can call comparable to howard.
anything short of that, and you’re just really going in the wrong direction.
human beings, who are almost unique in their ability to learn from the experiences of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so.
by variablesdont on Jul 8, 2025 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
how about Ryan Howard light? can we compare players to that?
White Sox Minor League Updates: http://twitter.com/SouthSidelarry
by larry on Jul 8, 2025 2:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
isn't ryan howard light just adam laroche?
maybe this is just because i saw his 2006, but when a guy peaks by hitting 48 HRs between AA/AAA/MLB and then tops that by slugging 58 HRs in his first full ML season, you don’t compare anyone to him.
human beings, who are almost unique in their ability to learn from the experiences of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so.
by variablesdont on Jul 8, 2025 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
perhaps this is semantics
but it seems like you’re opposed to people using “ryan howard-like” not “ryan howard light”.
and, since we all know one can only compare players to other players of their same ethnic background, one cannot directly compare allen to laroche. it’s against the rules.
White Sox Minor League Updates: http://twitter.com/SouthSidelarry
by larry on Jul 8, 2025 2:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Does it matter than Ryan Howard is only Ryan Howard because of the ballpark he plays in?
by thejd44 on Jul 8, 2025 3:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
right. and the only difference between robinson cano and chase utley is that chase utley plays in CBP, too.
human beings, who are almost unique in their ability to learn from the experiences of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so.
by variablesdont on Jul 8, 2025 4:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I made the comment off the cuff, but Howard's H/R splits are remarkably similar
It actually seems like the park hasn’t helped him at all. Still, I wonder how he’d do in a more hitter neutral place.
by thejd44 on Jul 8, 2025 7:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ryan Howard would lead the league in strike outs no matter what park he played in.
by rutgersjpm on Jul 8, 2025 4:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe
If you mean this Ryan Howard:
He kinda fizzled out quickly though.
Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com
by RoyalsRetro on Jul 8, 2025 2:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
True Story
probably a bunch of you already know it…
The writers for Fire Joe Morgan.com also write for the Office. Theyre big baseball fans. When the show began Ryan’s character was named after a star from the local SWB minor league team(then a Phillies’ affiliate, since then they’ve gone over to the dark side) - Ryan Howard.
That’s right. Ryan Howard from the Office is actually named after Ryan Howard the baseball player.
by alskor on Jul 8, 2025 5:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I propose a new rule at minorleagueball:
No comparisons may be drawn between any current prospect and any of the following:
Ryan Howard
Pablo Sandoval
Rick Ankiel
Jack Cust
Brien Taylor
Anyone who does so will be banned from the site, branded with a “C” on the forehead, then tossed into Lake Michigan with weights tied to their feet.
Linda's in the cold ground, won't see her anymore
Somewhere out on the highway tonight, the drunken engines roar
It's just one of those things, one of those things
-- Al Stewart, "Accident on 3rd St."
In memory of Nick Adenhart and all victims of drunk driving
by PaulThomas on Jul 8, 2025 5:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
BUT ALEX LIDDI IS THE NEW PABLO SANDOVAL
human beings, who are almost unique in their ability to learn from the experiences of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so.
by variablesdont on Jul 8, 2025 5:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Add Roy Halladay
and Dustin Pedroia
and Kevin Slowey/Brad Radke
and Jacoby Ellsbury
by alskor on Jul 8, 2025 5:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And Vin Mazzaro, Because No one is as good as him
by Mets2k9 on Jul 8, 2025 5:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nicely played, sir.
"You end up with a name like ‘Outman,’" he said last week. "What else are you going to do? You’re going to get people out, man." ~ Dallas Braden
Free Travis Buck.
by Blicks on Jul 8, 2025 6:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think we should all make a contribution to the Comp Blacklist
Tom Glavine
by mrkupe on Jul 8, 2025 8:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And Smoltz.
"You end up with a name like ‘Outman,’" he said last week. "What else are you going to do? You’re going to get people out, man." ~ Dallas Braden
Free Travis Buck.
by Blicks on Jul 9, 2025 9:47 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
But Chris George turned out exactly like Glavine!
by aap212 on Jul 8, 2025 10:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Jaime Moyer
And Tim Wakefield… 2 guys that are pretty darn unique.
by guru4u on Jul 9, 2025 9:57 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
New(er) rule: No prospect shall ever be compared to any major leaguer…except Kent Bottenfield. You can go nuts with that guy.
by ThomasG on Jul 9, 2025 10:06 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It is a small win for the D'Backs ...
But now the Chi Sox are definite Favorites IMO to win the A.L. Central in 2009 and in the end thats all that really matters.
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Jul 9, 2025 1:25 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
They're "definite favorites" because they added an underperforming fifth-man-in-the-bullpen?
OK.
Linda's in the cold ground, won't see her anymore
Somewhere out on the highway tonight, the drunken engines roar
It's just one of those things, one of those things
-- Al Stewart, "Accident on 3rd St."
In memory of Nick Adenhart and all victims of drunk driving
by PaulThomas on Jul 9, 2025 12:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
There Time is now and they know it.
Jim Thome, Paul Konerko, Jose Contreras, Jermaine Dye, Scott Linebrink, Octavio Dotel, Mark Buerhle, Scott Podsednick even A.J. Pierzynski
= not a bunch of spring chickens…
and Yes, they’re the favorites, with a middle infield of Ramirez, Getz and Beckham with Viciedo/ Fields Beckham getting shots at 3rd base and their pitching with Richard- Poreda in the back end is better than anybody else. (Twins, Tigers)
Buerhle, Contreras, Danks, Floyd and Richard = pretty underrated.
by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Jul 9, 2025 5:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Join the community and dive in!
Secondary Sidebar
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
New FanPost
Certain photos copyright © 2009 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
