Juan Pierre, who was rumored to be on the trading block before the July 31 deadline, has cleared waivers and is eligible (and likely) to be traded, according to Jon Morosi of Fox Sports.
The 35-year-old outfielder has been one of the few nice surprises for the Phillies this year, considering that he wasn't really expected to be much more than a very light-hitting pinch runner. But after an impressive spring training that saw the Phils opt for him over Scott Podsednik, Pierre continued to impress throughout the season, with good – but not great – play.
In 109 games, Pierre has a line of .300/.343/.363, with a homer, eight doubles, 32 steals and 22 RBIs. He's spent the majority of the season batting in the two-hole, where he hit .325 in 200 at-bats. And although he isn't a great defender or a guy who is going to work a pitcher like – say, Chase Utley – he was more valuable to the Phillies than anyone could have hoped. Although he isn't necessarily an impact player, he can certainly help fill out a bench and can be a fine late-inning pinch hitter come playoff time for a contender.
If the Phillies do end up moving Pierre, they won't get much in return. But, like the Jim Thome trade earlier this season, something is better than nothing. Even if they get a player to be named later or some low-A relief pitcher, it's still one more potential prospect than they would have had otherwise.
