Juan Pierre is a Chicago Cub. The Marlins traded Pierre to Chicago for pitchers Sergio Mitre, Reynel Pinto and Ricky Nolasco, all of whom are mostly minor league pitchers. I say mostly because Mitre has spot-started for the big club, most recently during Prior's and Wood's extended absences over the past two seasons.
For the Marlins, nothing new can be said. They are simply accumulating as many young pitchers as they can (10, by my count in the five trades they've made thus far). For the Cubs, they get the leadoff hitter and centerfielder they need in order to fill in for the failed Corey Patterson project. In the right situation, Pierre can be an asset. On the Cubs, I'll take a wait-and-see approach. His best attribute, speed, seems to be in place (57 SB's in 2005, although an surprisingly low 77% success rate -- not a good percentage for an elite basestealer). His OBP, however, dipped to a career low .326 which doesn't bode well for Derrek Lee's RBI totals in 2006.
The Cubs gave up some talent but not a lot. Pinto's and Nolasco's strikeout totals in AA-class ball show that they have something in there that might make them good someday (their AAA-class stats are atrocious, however). In the end, this was a trade the Cubs had to make and they are to be given a pat on the back for not doing the dumb thing in giving into Johnny Damon's demands.
For the Marlins, nothing new can be said. They are simply accumulating as many young pitchers as they can (10, by my count in the five trades they've made thus far). For the Cubs, they get the leadoff hitter and centerfielder they need in order to fill in for the failed Corey Patterson project. In the right situation, Pierre can be an asset. On the Cubs, I'll take a wait-and-see approach. His best attribute, speed, seems to be in place (57 SB's in 2005, although an surprisingly low 77% success rate -- not a good percentage for an elite basestealer). His OBP, however, dipped to a career low .326 which doesn't bode well for Derrek Lee's RBI totals in 2006.
The Cubs gave up some talent but not a lot. Pinto's and Nolasco's strikeout totals in AA-class ball show that they have something in there that might make them good someday (their AAA-class stats are atrocious, however). In the end, this was a trade the Cubs had to make and they are to be given a pat on the back for not doing the dumb thing in giving into Johnny Damon's demands.
Which brings us to an interesting question -- WWJG -- Where Will Johnny Go? The Cubs don't need him. The Rangers might go after him now but given how they don't like spending money anymore, I don't know if that's a logical destination. Plus, I think Scott Boras burned a bridge in Arlington after the last high-profile client he steered down there...Might the Yankees get involved? Doubtful, unless Damon and Boras accept a three year deal and not a seven year deal like they've been asking for...
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