Juan Pierre makes sense for Phillies
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Juan Pierre makes sense for Phillies
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
UPDATED (11:55 a.m.): The Phillies have agreed to a minor league deal with Juan Pierre with an invitation to spring training.
EARLIER: According to Comcast Sports Net, the Phillies have had "serious" discussions with Juan Pierre about bringing the speedy 34-year-old left fielder to Philadelphia.
The move would make sense because the Phillies do not currently have an experienced fall-back plan in case the combination of Laynce Nix and John Mayberry Jr. does not work out. Pierre has logged at least 400 plate appearances in each of his 11 full seasons as a major leaguer. The two current candidates to start the season at left field -- Laynce Nix and John Mayberry Jr. -- have reached 400 plate appearances once between them (and that was back in 2004, when Nix was a 23-year-old for the Texas Rangers).
But it would be hard to get too excited about such a move.
Pierre won't give you anything in the way of power, and he doesn't leg out nearly as many doubles and triples as he did during his prime with the Rockies and Marlins. Last season, he recorded a career-low 27 stolen bases and was caught a league-leading 17 times. You don't have to do the math to know that ain't a good rate. He'll be 34 years old, and his .277 batting average and .335 on base percentage over the last two seasons are both below his career averages.
Additionally, it would leave Charlie Manuel attempting to cobble together two everyday players with a variety of detached body parts. It would give him two left-handed hitters (Nix and Pierre) along with two right-handed hitters (John Mayberry and Ty Wigginton) for left field, and two left-handed hitters (Nix and Jim Thome) and two right-handed hitters (Mayberry and Wigginton) for first base (until Ryan Howard returns), with Nix having played sparingly at the position and Thome having not played there at all in five years.
Frankly, if it gets to the point where Juan Pierre is your best veteran option as an everyday left fielder, then you probably don't have much to lose by bringing Domonic Brown up and letting him play on a regular basis.
That said, if Pierre is willing to sign for minimal dollars to reunite with former Marlins teammate Dontrelle Willis as a speed/base-reaching threat off the bench (he has excellent career numbers against lefties), the Phillies wouldn't be any worse for the wear.
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One other note -- ESPN is reporting that the Yankees and Raul Ibanez have some mutual interest in a deal.
Now we are looking into possibilities that only Howie Roseman would consider?— jimmymack- The Tonner's pretty sure not even "Mailroom" Howie would have done this signing. Sure the Phils go him on the cheap but is Pierre coming of an ACL injury the Tonner doesn't know about?
- You state that he can't leg out doubles or triples like he use to and he was caught stealing a league high 17 times last year. So why do you end the article labeling him as a speed/base-reaching threat? The dude is 34 and his career numbers are drastically declining. NO THANKS! Give me Dom.— BleedPhilly
Comment removed.- Actually, I guess you are another of these people who really doesn't bother looking at the numbers! Off, but a little. Juan Pierre never had much power, but he does get on base at a higher clip than many of the other players on this team, and he DOESN'T STRIKE OUT A LOT! (He strikes out about once every 20 or so PA's, as opposed to a clown like Laynce Nix who strikes out once ever four PA's, and he doesn't have much power doesn't get on base! JP was successful on about 62% of his steal attempts last year, which really isn't so bad when you consider the MLB average is only about 75%.)
Just where were all you whiners when they made the mistake of giving a real contract to Laynce Nix?
Laynce Nix? Good grief!— BEMiller - Actually, I would be excited about this. Obvious outfield upgrade over Mike Mart and Exxon Valdez (Wigginton will take Exxon's infield spots). Makes contact, plays defense. Exactly want you want from a 4th outfielder, bench player.— SilliBilli
- Um, wiggington cant play short and Valdez had to play there a lot last couple of years so not sure what you're talking about.
- If they're considering Pierre, I'd like to see what Podsednick can do. I don't see much value in either, but I think that Pods might offer at least some gap power.— willthethrill11
- You will, they are the two frontrunners for the 5th outfield position...Speed is a true missing ingredient from this Phillies team, and although Pierre is not the player he used to be, he still can take an extra base late in a game as a pinchrunner...and probably could teach the entire squad how to bunt. Murph put alot of words into this acquisition, which is really a spring training tryout...Just like the fans, he must be bored out of his mind. — bearsfriend
- I'll pass on Pierre. That said, maybe I could pass him if he's lost a step or three (not two).— walt1
- Pierre is no upgrade over Podsednick. Might as well take someone at the veteran minimum. While we are looking at players I saw one of our former prospects Adrian Cardensas was designated for assignment. Only 24 and hit over .300 in AAA, why not add him to our roster. Only 38 guys on the 40 man roster right now so there is room.— Blue and White
- Actually, if you paid attention, you'd know Juan Pierre is a great upgrade over Scott Podsednick, or should I say, the MUCH INJURED Scott Podsednick, who seems to have never been able to play an entire season during is career.
Insofar as AC, he couldn't be a bad replacement for MM.— BEMiller - Also, Phils need a guy who can lay down a bunt when called upon.— SilliBilli
- The only bunt Charlie knows about is "bunt" cake. — Bobphxville
- Comment removed.
