Chicago won’t be getting a compensatory draft pick if Juan Pierre leaves as a free agent, as the White Sox declined to offer arbitration to the veteran outfielder with Type B status.
Pierre hit .279 with his usual lack of power and plate discipline, posting a sub-.700 OPS for the fourth time in five years. He also ceased being a positive factor on the bases, going just 27-of-44 on steal attempts.
It’s possible another team will view Pierre as still being a capable center fielder despite his playing exclusively left field for the past two seasons, but short of that the odds are seemingly against his finding another full-time gig at age 34.
Pierre just completed a five-year, $44 million contract that paid him $8.5 million in 2011.
As expected, the White Sox did offer arbitration to fellow Type B free agent Mark Buehrle.