Posted by Sabrina B. @gametimegirl

The Chicago Cubs agreed to a one-year contract with free-agent first baseman Carlos Pena, the team announced.

The deal is for $10 million, according to a source, who said Pena will receive $5 million in 2011, and $5 million in January, 2011, which will count against the ’11 payroll.

Pena had a star-crossed season in 2010, hitting 28 home runs with 84 RBIs but hitting a career-low .196 and striking out 158 times in 484 at-bats.

Pena, who has a reputation as being a good clubhouse presence, solves two problems for the Cubs: He gives them a left-handed power presence in the lineup next to Aramis Ramirez, and he is a Gold Glove-caliber first baseman.

According to a physical report, the 33-year-old Pena, who had plantar fasciitis last season, has recovered from the condition.

Pena will be reunited with hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo, whom he worked with as a young player in the Texas Rangers organization.

Pena spent the past four seasons with Tampa Bay. He had a .227 average with 39 homers and 100 RBIs in 2009, when he was selected for the AL All-Star team. His first season with the club was his best, when he batted .282 with 46 homers and 121 RBIs in 2007. The following season, he helped the Rays reached the World Series for the first time.

Tampa Bay won the AL East this year but lost to Texas in a five-game, first-round series, but the Rays appear to be cutting back on payroll. In addition to Pena’s departure, setup man Joaquin Benoit agreed to a $16.5 million, three-year contract with Detroit, and Gold Glove outfielder Carl Crawford and closer Rafael Soriano appear set to sign elsewhere.

Bruce Levine