Cubs, Rangers pursuing Pierre deal

By Joe Capozzi

Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

Tuesday, December 06, 2005

 

DALLAS ? Expect center fielder Juan Pierre to be the next Marlins star to leave the team, possibly as soon as today.

 

Pierre is being pursued by at least four teams, but the Chicago Cubs have made him their top priority of the winter meetings.

 

After failing to sign free-agent shortstop Rafael Furcal, the Cubs are intrigued with the idea of Pierre as their leadoff hitter. The Cubs and Marlins planned to talk late Monday or today to discuss a proposal that likely would include pitching.

 

Among the pitchers Chicago could offer are three right-handers with major-league experience ? Sergio Mitre, Jerome Williams and Todd Wellemeyer ? and minor-league right-hander Ricky Nolasco.

 

The Texas Rangers also plan to talk to Florida today, with outfielder Laynce Nix as a possible offer.

 

The Marlins also plan to meet this week with the agent for free agent Jeff Conine, who was a bench player for the Marlins last season. Conine could start in left field in 2006 and platoon at first base with Mike Jacobs.

 

 

Willingham to catch: With catcher Paul Lo Duca traded to the Mets, the Marlins have reconsidered their plans and are looking at Josh Willingham to be their catcher next year.

 

Last month, the Marlins were planning to use Willingham in left field. Now they want him to concentrate on his original position, catcher. New manager Joe Girardi, a retired catcher, plans to work with Willingham starting in January in Jupiter, nearly a month before catchers and pitchers report for spring training.

 

Willingham missed six weeks last season with an injury to his left wrist.

 

"He has never had consistent at-bats in the big leagues, but we really do think he can hit. He has hit everywhere in the minor leagues,'' General Manager Admin Beinfest said.

 

"He has been a little banged up so he hasn't been behind the plate that much to get the experience, but Joe believes in him. Joe's confident he can work with him behind the plate.''

 

 

Marlins in Classic: Pierre and pitcher Dontrelle Willis have been cleared to play for the United States in the World Baseball Classic.

 

Infielder Alfredo Amezaga, a free agent signed by Florida last month, will play for Mexico.

 

Three free agents who played for the Marlins last season also will play in the inaugural event, scheduled for March 3-20. Relief pitcher Todd Jones is on the U.S. list. Starter Ismael Valdez wants to pitch for Mexico and reliever Paul Quantrill is in line to pitch for Canada.

 

Third baseman Miguel Cabrera has not committed to play for Venezuela but he likely will be added.

Well if there's anyone that can teach him how to catch, it's Girardi.

 

If the Cubs made Pierre their top priority Beinfest better be getting Pie back (and hopefully more if he can properly use the other 11 suitors to his advantage).

fantastic

Well, he'll be above the league average offensively at the position, so that's a plus.

Wow Girardi will work with Willy a month early? That's in a month! That would be great--solves any problems. I believe he has to improve with Joe's guidance....right?

don't expect him to be a CJ or Pudge type catcher, that's for sure... as long as he can be average defensively and not hurt the team with his defense, having the extra bat in the lineup is worth it... gotta re-sign Conine though!!!

Anyone else think a deal with Pierre will go down tommorw? I honestly think a team we haven't been talking about will sneak in and steal JP.

Great to see positive articles

 

 

Give Willy ABs and he will put up quality numbers. I think most people on here and a lot of people within the organization strongly believe that. If anyone can help him with catching, Girardi is the man. Rferry was right in that if he might be looking for a project.. this could definitely be it. :thumbup

 

 

I'm still lobbying JP for Jerome Williams and Pinto/Nollasco... and maybe Wellenmeyer

 

...and if we could still land Gathright, we could be looking at:

 

CF - Gathright

SS - Hanley

3B - Cabs

1B - Jacobs

RF - Hermida

LF - Conine

C - Willy

2B - ???

 

Not too shabby, imo

Great to see positive articles

 

 

Give Willy ABs and he will put up quality numbers. I think most people on here and a lot of people within the organization strongly believe that. If anyone can help him with catching, Girardi is the man. Rferry was right in that if he might be looking for a project.. this could definitely be it. :thumbup

 

 

I'm still lobbying JP for Jerome Williams and Pinto/Nollasco... and maybe Wellenmeyer

 

...and if we could still land Gathright, we could be looking at:

 

CF - Gathright

SS - Hanley

3B - Cabs

1B - Jacobs

RF - Hermida

LF - Conine

C - Willy

2B - ???

 

Not too shabby, imo

 

 

I think I would go:

Leadoff man, 2B or CF

Jeff Conine, LF

Miguel Cabrera, 3B

Mike Jacobs, 1B

Jeremy Hermida, RF

Josh Willingham, C

2B or CF

Hanley Ramirez, SS

 

I think expecting Hanley to hit 2nd right away is a bit of a reach.

Yea you're probably right. Although, I don't know if batting in front of the pitcher would be very good for his development.. 7 spot might be a little better.

 

I guess I was thinking getting protection from Miggy could do him well.. I really have no idea what to expect from Hanley next year.

Good point on the 7 spot.

 

And I have no idea what to expect either.

 

I don't know that anything would surprise me.

 

But we do know he'll look cool in those shades.

Here Spikey Spikey Spikey....I know it's calling you. You can't resist the pull of the mighty Willingham thread!!!

 

:mischief

I said I didn't mind him starting at C if he can handle the job, I'd still rather have Snyder though.

:mischief

 

/cluttering the thread

I still bet we will pursue other options, and if Willingham is asked for in a trade with an AL team that has something we want he will be dealt.

I still bet hope we will pursue other options, and if Willingham is asked for in a trade with an AL team that has something we want I pray he will be dealt.

 

 

That's more like it.

 

There's really no reason to think we'd trade him. It sounds to me like we've chosen our catcher.

Because Girardi said he will work with him does not mean we have found our catcher. He hasn't been much better than putrid behind the plate, and I dont think a month before ST and then actual ST(when individualized instruction is much harder to come by...more like mass work with all catchers)is going to make him suddenly average there, when he has been working on it for what...3 years now? and he is still horrible in almost every facet of the position.

 

To think we wont seriously look for a better option at C is kind of naieve. Do you want him there for a whole season?

The only thing about Willingham behind the plate is that it takes such a toll on the body, I'm hoping if they go through with this it in effect doesn't take the bat out of his hands.

 

We need to score runs this season and I'm not sure if you come out ahead by having him always banged up.

 

And what happened to Girardi's desire to have an experienced catcher to work with the kid pitchers this season?

By most accounts, his game calling has improved by leaps and bounds in the last year.

 

That's the main thing I care about. If he can call a good game, then we'll be fine.

 

He may get run on, but there are ways to combat that.

 

And I'd rather have his bat and defense at catcher than a solid defensive catcher who hits .220 (i.e. JD Closser, etc). If we want that, we can go with Treanor.

 

He's never going to be anything more than average defensively, but giving him the first shot rather than rushing out to trade prospects for a young catcher (and lord knows teams are itching to get rid of valuable young catchers) makes sense to me.

Is Willingham still eligible for Rookie of the Year?

At this point it is worth a chance to see what Girardi can do with him. If it doesn't work out we can still trade for an MLB ready prospect.

I like the kid but I rather have a vet that calls games very well. I want a vet to calm and work with the pitchers. But, I guess Willy will do since we dont spend over 400k per player.

Not a bad idea. Let's see how much Girardi can help him in that one month. If we see significant improvement, let's go with Willy at C. He can really hit so we should find ways to get his bat into the lineup.

I like this idea a lot.

 

Willy is a good athlete so I hope he can make the adjustments. this is a perfect opportunity for him to improve his value to the club and play everyday.

Just one question...does he wear the old school face mask, or the new hockey style helmet?