The Chicago Cubs have pulled first baseman Carlos Pena off waivers, according to Carrie Muskat of MLB.com. The New York Yankees won the waiver claim on Pena earlier today, but talks did not pick up or move forward. The Yankees winning the waiver claim on Carlos Pena meant every team except the Yankees and Phillies passed on the slugger.
Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports noted Chicago could save almost $1.7 million by dealing him to New York, the Cubs have an incentive to keep Pena and see what they can get for him on the open market after the season. By retaining Pena, they would maintain exclusive negotiating rights to him before he hit free agency, leaving the decision to their next general manager.
The 33-year-old Pena is hitting .223/.342/.450 with 23 homers in 489 plate appearances this season, a nice rebound from a disastrous 2010 campaign with the Tampa Bay Rays.