The Red Sox rotation just got a bit tighter. The Boston Herald reports Bronson Arroyo was sent to Cincinnati for outfielder Wily Mo Pena.

This is not the deal I was expecting at all. I'm not surprised by it either. When Arroyo signed a three-year deal for cheap money, I knew that he would be an attractive piece of any deal. What surprises me is what we got in return. I was hoping for some firstbase assurance.

I'm surprised that the Sox would trade the inexpensive, young, talented Arroyo for a fourth outfielder.

Although, Wily Mo Pena had numerous strikeouts, he exhibited great power. He is only 24. he will certainly learn a lot in Boston. Ron Jackson has the ability to turn around careers but Pena will also have the tutorship from two of the games best - Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz.

There was some competition for Pena as well. Nationals GM Jim Bowden, formerly Reds GM, was trying to acquire Pena since he got his new job. Some say that the Arroyo-Pena deal is a precurser to another deal involving Pena and the Nationals.

My old friend Barry Svrluga of the Washington Post reports that the Nationals are having some difficulties with newly-acquired Alfonzo Soriano. He wants to play second, the team wants him in left. The two sides are at an impasse that may lead to some disciplinary action.

This may also prompt a trade, though the Nationals are saying they will only make a deal that makes sense. Wily Mo Pena may make sense.

However, the Sox don't really want Soriano either, but perhaps the Mets are interested.

Regardless, it is obvious that the Red Sox are a little worried about the lack of a right-handed hitter who plays the outfield. The team also signed Juan Gonzalez to a minor-league deal.

However it would seem to me that a deal involving two starters for Adam Dunn would have been better suited. Although, Dunn bats lefty, he plays both firstbase and the outfield. Allowing the team more flexibility should Mike Lowell fail and Youkilis is moved back to third.

I'm sure Matt Clement and Arroyo would have got the deal Dunn, er, done. Rumor has it that the Reds wanted Jon Lester. The Red Sox balked at that notion - Rightly so.

Whether Pena stays or goes, Arroyo's attitude will be sorely missed. He was willing to go back to the bullpen fo the betterment of the team. He offered some relief from the tension that sometimes existed in the clubhouse and he was a rockstar in downtown Boston. The Boston Herald's Gerry Callahan writes that we may someday find out why they traded Arroyo, but for now it is curious.

Now, who is Theo Epstein and Peter Gammons going to play with?

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