Cubs trade Mitre, prospects for Marlins' Pierre

	Juan Pierre's batting average dipped to .276 last season after hitting .326 in 2004. Bob Rosato/SI
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DALLAS (AP) -- The Florida Marlins likely finished their salary purge on Wednesday, sending center fielder Juan Pierre to the Chicago Cubs for right-hander Sergio Mitre and Double-A pitchers Ricky Nolasco and Renyel Pinto.

The only high-priced players remaining on the Marlins roster are 22-game winner Dontrelle Willis and slugger Miguel Cabrera, who are eligible for salary arbitration for the first time but not expected to be traded. Pierre is eligible for salary arbitration and expected to make $5 million to $6 million in 2006.

In all, the Marlins have cut about $45 million in 2006 payroll after starting last year at $60 million. Leaving through trade or free agency are: Josh Beckett, A.J. Burnett, Paul Lo Duca, Luis Castillo, Mike Lowell, Guillermo Mota and Carlos Delgado.

Other Marlins free agents not expected to be re-signed include outfielder Jeff Conine, second baseman Damion Easley and shortstop Alex Gonzalez.

"I'm glad I'm not down there any more. Fire sales are always tough," Burnett said Tuesday after agreeing to a five-year, $55 million contract with the Toronto Blue Jays. "They'd better teach Dontrelle how to play all nine positions."

The 28-year-old Pierre batted .276 with 181 hits, 96 runs and 57 stolen bases last season.

Mitre was 2-5 with a 5.37 ERA in 60 1-3 innings. Pinto, a lefty, was 10-3 with a 2.71 ERA in Double-A and Nolasco, a righty, was 14-3 with a 2.89 ERA, also with the West Tenn Diamond Jaxx.

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