According to ESPN.com’s Insider, Juan Pierre has cleared waivers and could be on the move by midnight. Pierre, 35, has been the subject of trade rumors ever since the Phillies fell out of contention and could be of even more interest to contenders now that August has provided some separation between the contenders and pretenders.
The Reds have long been rumored to be interested in Pierre’s services. Juan Pierre has gone from long shot spring training invite, to starting over 100 games for the injury ravaged, trade decimated, inconsistent Phillies. The Reds are said to be looking for a pinch runner off the bench and someone whom they can bring in as a late game defensive substitution. Pierre fits on both counts. What he doesn’t possess is great base running instincts as the Phillies have seen all year.
He still has the speed to swipe a few bags, converting on 32 of 37 attempts. He can also play the outfield as well as many of the everyday major leaguers even at his “advanced” age. He can provide a veteran presence for a young team like the Reds.
Pierre is a 13 year veteran in the league and has played in the postseason 3 times; twice with the Dodgers, and once with the 2003 World Series Champion Marlins. He’s a .296 career hitter with 17 home runs and 506 career RBI. His best season came in 2004 when he hit .326 with 3 HR and 49 RBI. In 2012, he has a .300 BA with 1 HR and 22 RBI.
His departure would leave the Phillies extra thin in the outfield, but with the rosters expanding and Domonic Brown hopefully ready to come back and play every day, it wouldn’t be devastating.
September call ups are just around the corner, but August 31st at 12 AM EST is the deadline for players to be added and still be eligible for the postseason.
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August 31, 2012
