Rangers looking at Pierre?

[Providence A's]

http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/sports/ba...s/13268303.htm

The Rangers aren't thrilled with the Florida Marlins over what happened with Josh Beckett, but the two teams are probably not done talking.

The Rangers have told the Marlins they are interested in outfielder Juan Pierre if the Florida fire sale isn't over. It probably isn't, especially in the case with Pierre, who is a five-year arbitration-eligible player who made $3.4 million in base salary in 2005.

The Rangers know that if they trade Kevin Mench for pitching, they are going to need another outfielder. They aren't going into the season with an outfield of David Dellucci, Laynce Nix and Gary Matthews.

Pierre, who can be a free agent after next season, played center field for the Marlins but is better suited to left field. That's fine with the Rangers, who are satisfied with Matthews and Nix defensively in center.

What Pierre brings, of course, is the potential to give the Rangers a true leadoff hitter.

as a LF and if they trade Mench for pitching, I like this trade.

Other possible moves:

At some point the Rangers must address right field, and the best free agent available is Juan Encarnacion, who hit .287 with 16 home runs and 76 RBI last season for the Marlins.

The Rangers are hard at work trying to sign pitcher Octavio Dotel, the Oakland Athletics reliever who had reconstructive elbow surgery in June. A deal for Dotel, who is expected to be ready in April, could get done at the end of the winter meetings.

Clubs are interested in Adrian Gonzalez, but the Rangers are telling people they want something that will immediately help at the major league level in return.

The Toronto Blue Jays are getting ready to throw $47 million at reliever B.J. Ryan, which makes closer Miguel Batista available. The Blue Jays are interested in Kevin Mench, but the Rangers aren't trading him for a reliever who can be a free agent after the 2006 season.

The Rangers are trying to get starting pitcher Matt Morris to visit Arlington but know they still have an uphill fight trying to convince him to pitch at Ameriquest Field in Arlington.

Tommy Hicks Jr., who works in corporate sales, is conducting studies to find a way to make Ameriquest less hitter-friendly.

The Mets have Carlos Delgado and are trying to land a catcher, either Bengie Molina or Ramon Hernandez. But they are still looking for a second baseman as well and still could have interest in Alfonso Soriano.

[Saber]

Pierre is virtually valueless in left field.

[Providence A's]

then they shouldn't have to give up much more than a can o' beans for him, eh?

[love_that_reefer]

Same as in CF.