Phillies add Juan Pierre
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Phillies add Juan Pierre
Daily News staff
The Phillies have added another interesting name to the veterans free agents signed to minor league deals with an invitation to spring training -- outfielder Juan Pierre.
Pierre, 34, batted .279 with two home runs, 50 RBI and 27 stolen bases in 158 games for the Chicago White Sox last season. A lefthanded batter, he hit .329 against lefthanded pitching and .331 with runners in scoring position. Pierre made 152 starts last year, all in leftfield.
Obviously, the Phillies have a competition in leftfield at this point, with John Mayberry Jr. perceived to have the inside track. Mayberry, however, could be used at first base while Ryan Howard returns from his Achilles injury. General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said Domonic Brown also could be a consideration.
Among active players, Pierre has the most career stolen bases (554) and ranks 26th on the all-time list, three behind Davey Lopes. He has had nine seasons with at least 40 steals, including a career-high 68 in 2010. Over the last 11 seasons (2001-11), Pierre has the fifth-most hits (1,958) among all major league players, including four years with 200 or more hits during that span.
Pierre has a .296 career batting average with 234 doubles, 86 triples, 16 home runs and 484 RBI in 1,751 games for the Rockies (2000-02), Florida Marlins (2003-05), Chicago Cubs (2006), Los Angeles Dodgers (2007-09) and White Sox (2010-11).
As a pinch-hitter, he has hit .311 (28-90) and in 31 career games at Citizens Bank Park he has a .307 (39-127) batting average. Pierre was a member of the 2003 world champion Marlins.
I like it. Low risk - high reward. This is the first time in a very long time the Phils have had a bona fide leadoff hitter on the team. It's been so long, I can't remember. This team needs as much defense and speed as it can get to complement the pitching staff.— IdahoMoose- Theriot signed with the Giants today, so he's not coming here. That's a shame, he would've been nice off the bench for infield help. Really excited with the Pierre signing. Adds both speed and base running smarts (ahem, Victorino) and a solid career batting average. Will serve nicely as a backup and could fill in as a starter if necessary. This is an excellent move.— veritas1325
- No harm on a minor league deal. Unfortunately we are doing this as insurance for Nix who we committed 2 yrs to and now have to get an insurance policy.— Blue and White
- These last couple of moves look like have Pat Gillick fingerprints all over them: Willis, Piñeiro, Montañez, Horst for Valdez, and now Pierre.— EL Zorro
- Signing him to a minor league deal to compete for a spot in camp is a no brainer. I still cannot get over the sight of him rapping in the Marlins World Series parade/party (for the few hundred there). One the cheesiest and most ridiculous celebrations along side Mark Madsen of the Lakers when he was dancing to Shaq's rapping...— jasonb100
- Great signing- how could this possibly e a negative?
RAJ is loading up.
Great job.— Keep The Change - Can you say lead off hitter? Team needed to manufacture some runs especially against the Cards. Would love for that to be J-Roll but it just ain't happening. Where's Ichiro?— boroughboy
- Thanks AGAIN Ruben !!! johnnyu— john ullman
- Maybe Pierre can teach J-Pop to be patient at the plate. Never mind, can Pierre play SS?— Bruno Sammartino
- warbaby, your 'substantial justification' for 'ripping' RAJ is all in your little fantasy world where you think you actually know something about baseball. no doubt RAJ comes here first to see if you're ok with his latest moves while shaking in his boots that he's about to be fired and replaced by you. you're one sorry dude (or dudess).— PhillySubsMac
- wow this talk of pierre being a lead-off hitter is out of control. if this guy was capable of being a lead-off hitter on a world series team (at his current playing level), then why do you think he was sitting out there for so long for any team to sign on the cheap. in no way shape or form is juan pierre a legit everyday player, and hasn't really been for years.— jodya2
- I don't know why the Phillies can't get guys like this when they're in their prime (eg: Kenny Lofton). By the time the Phillies get them, they're on their last legs and moving to a new team every year. All this really tells me is that the Phillies don't really have confidence that Mayberry is going to be the everyday left fielder.— SteveS11
- Nice move - I always liked this guy. If he gets on base, his speed can be disruptive.— ObamaSolyndra
- At this stage he is not leading off, and the Phils will only use him against left-handers, he is a platoon guy if he makes the team...— jasonb100
- Good signing...i hear they are in talks with Benito Santiago and Gary Sheffield too.— ArtieLange
