Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
The Miami Marlins went to the bargain bin in the offseason last year, looking for veteran talent that could help a young team. What they found was a former player and World Series champion, outfielder Juan Pierre. Pierre signed with Miami on a one-year deal in hoping to get whatever big-league knowledge and experience out of him before he retired.
In his second stint and fourth year with the Marlins, Pierre was able to play 113 games, his lowest total since 2008 with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Pierre’s age began to show at the plate and on the base baths. Pierre batted .247/.284/.305 with 11 doubles, eight RBI 36 runs scored. At one point of the season, Pierre also had a 14-game hitting streak; he also managed to steal 23 bases. At his age, stealing that many bases is a godsend, and it was one of the bright spots for him all season long.
However, as the season wore on, there was no way Pierre was going to play in too many games. He would eventually be replaced in the outfield by Christian Yelich and Jake Marisnick. What Pierre needed to do was to just help provide the knowledge of his playing days to the young up and coming stars, and it is believed that he did just that.
It is not expected of the Marlins to re-sign him for 2014, but if this is the last season for him, it was great that he spent it with the Marlins, a team he helped win a championship.
Ryan Gaydos is an MLB columnist for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter, “like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
