FORT MYERS - Blessed with a surplus of pitching, the Red Sox today consummated trade talks with the Cincinnati Reds on a deal that will bring outfielder Wily Mo Pena to Boston.
According to sources, the Sox have sent right-hander Bronson Arroyo to the Reds in exchange for the 24-year-old Pena, who batted .254 with 19 home runs and 51 RBI last season. The 6-foot-3, 215-pound Pena has been especially effective against left-handers during his career and will likely serve as a complement to the left-handed-hitting Trot Nixon, who has had difficulty agfainst left-handers during his career.
Pena, who is due to earn $1.25 million this year, is not eligible for agency for another three seasons. In that way, he was a perfect match for Arroyo, who recently signed a three-year, $11.25 million contract.
Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein has scheduled a 12:30 p.m. conference call to announce the deal.
Arroyo could not immediately be reached for comment, but was said to be stunned by the news of the trade. Against the advice of his agents, the pitcher signed a contract for below-market value, theorizing that it would allow him to remain with the Red Sox.
Instead, it made him more tradeable.