Wilfredo Modesto "Wily Mo" Peņa (born January 23,
1982 in Laguna Salada, Dominican Republic), is a
Major League Baseball player for the Washington
Nationals. At 6 feet, 3 inches in height and 245
pounds, the right-handed batting and throwing Peņa
is considered a pure power hitter known for his
tape-measure home runs and high strikeout rate.
Originally signed by the New York Mets as an amateur
free agent in 1998, Peņa signed with the New York
Yankees about a year later and was traded to the
Reds for third baseman/designated hitter Drew Henson
and outfielder Michael Coleman in 2001. He made his
Major League debut on September 10, 2002. Because he
was signed to a major league contract, Peņa's path
to the majors was rushed, and he ended up becoming a
bench player in an already crowded Cincinnati
outfield.
His $2.3 million signing bonus remains the largest
ever for an amateur free agent. In December 2007, he
signed a one-year contract with the Nationals for $2
million with a mutual option for 2009 of $2 million
(if Pena picks it up) or $5 million (if the
Nationals pick it up).
On August 17 Peņa was traded to the Washington
Nationals, with the Red Sox receiving 25 year-old
first baseman Chris Carter and the Arizona
Diamondbacks receiving Emiliano Fruto and cash
considerations. Peņa hit well for the Nationals, and
finished 2007 with a cumulative 289 at bats, 13 home
runs and he batted .259 with a .319 on-base
percentage and a .439 slugging percentage.
