The Florida Marlins have made a trade ? what else is new? The Marlins sent outfielder Juan Pierre to the Chicago Cubs for three young pitchers including Sergio Mitre, Renyel Pinto, and Ricky Nolasco. Pierre, 28, played in all of the Marlins162 games last season producing a .276 batting average and stole 57 bases. The Alabama native also collected 181 hits including 19 doubles and 13 triples in 656 plate appearances. Mitre, a 24-year-old right hander, split time with the Cubs and AAA Iowa in 2005. He compiled a 2-5 record with Chicago along with a 5.37 earned run average. Renyel Pinto, 23, spent the majority of last season with the West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx where he posted a 2.71 ERA to go with a 10-3 record. Ricky Nolasco, 22, was a teammate of Pinto in West Tennessee. Nolasco finished last season with a 14-3 record and an ERA of 2.89 in 27 starts. Breaking Down The Deal Juan Pierre will provide Chicago with a true lead-off hitter. The middle of their order (including Derrek Lee and Aramis Ramirez) should greatly benefit from this move. Pierre is a great contact hitter and has the ability to bunt for base hits. He also wreaks havoc on the base paths, stealing 40+ bases in each of his five complete Major League seasons. The 28-year-old also possesses steady defense in center field. In Sergio Mitre, Florida acquires a pitcher who features a decent sinking fastball and has the ability to throw for strikes. His future in baseball, however, is likely as a career minor leaguer. Renyel Pinto?s bread-and-butter is his changeup which is very deceptive. Pinto also throws a good fastball. He must find more consistency in his pitching approach in order to succeed at the big league level. Nolasco, a former fourth round pick in 2001, challenges hitters with a nasty sinker and a curveball. He may have a brighter future as a middle reliever. Edge: Chicago Cubs ? This deal is fairly close; Chicago acquires a much needed and talented lead-off man to their dangerous lineup. Florida, on the other hand, adds three young pitchers with promise ? especially Pinto. I gave the edge to Chicago because Pierre will pay immediate dividends for the Cubs. He is also 28-years-old and has plenty of great years ahead of him. Do you have a question, concern, or comment? ? Feel free to email me at [email protected]