Cubs Close to Trade for Pierre; Reds Close to Trade of Sean Casey
"The Cubs were close to a deal late Tuesday for Florida Marlins center fielder Juan Pierre, but they couldn't finalize the details by midnight," reports the Sun-Times' Mike Kiley. According to the Chicago Tribune's Dave van Dyk, "The Marlins were thought to be trying to find a better proposal for Pierre than what the Cubs were offering, rumored to be pitcher Sergio Mitre and Double-A pitchers Ricky Nolasco and Reynel Pinto." I have to believe the rumor is wrong. That is an awful lot to give up for Pierre.
Jim Hendry also has another trade offer out to an unspecified team for an unspecified player.
Meanwhile: "The Pirates are close to acquiring first baseman Sean Casey from the Reds for left-hander Dave Williams," reports Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com. This is significant for the Cubs because it means the Reds will move Adam Dunn to first base, greatly lessening any chance the Cubs might have had of acquiring Austin Kearns in a trade.
UPDATE (9:25am CT): ESPN.com's Jayson Stark reports that the Pierre for Mitre, Nolasco, and Pinto deal is done, pending physicals.
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Patterson
I think Hendry gave away too much pitching for Pierre, but it also saddens me that this means the end of Corey Patterson's tenure in centerfield. It just seems like things should have worked out so much better for him.
Pierre trade
The loss of Nolasco is the one that really hurts here, I think. I'm not sure what to make of his 2005; he was quite dominant for West Tenn but it was his second straight year in AA. Of course, he will only be 23 next season, so it's not like he's behind, and at any rate, his high strikeout/low walk combination (8.9/2.8 in 549 minor league IP) makes him very promising.
Juan Pierre's value is entirely predicated on his OBP, as he doesn't have good power, he doesn't play very good defense, and even his base-stealing is inconsistent. I'll be able to handle him batting leadoff if he can maintain his career .355 OBP, but if he can't manage that he becomes just another Jose Macias.
Hendry's Contract Status
I wonder how much effect Jim Hendry going into the last year of his contract had to do with overpaying for Pierre. That'd be an interesting study for someone with more time than me: GMs who need to win now to keep their jobs and the trades they make.
Comments elsewhere
Cub Town and the Cub Reporter have good takes on the trade.