Marlins fans welcome Juan Pierre to Miami

The Miami Marlins have received a ton of criticism for their rash offseason moves, something that Juan Pierre is certainly privy to considering he lives in the area. But Pierre, who signed with the Marlins last month, has not felt the brunt of any of that hate. In fact, Pierre's return to the Marlins has been viewed in a positive light (via the Sun Sentinel):

Since agreeing to a one-year, free agent contract last month, Pierre has received nothing but support and well wishes. The phrase he keeps hearing: "Welcome home."

Entering the offseason, Pierre never thought he would have the opportunity to rejoin the Marlins. The outfielder was actually close to signing with another team, but a last-second call from Marlins general manager Michael Hill got Pierre to change his mind.

The 35-year-old actually signed on the same day as the Marlins' blockbuster trade with the Toronto Blue Jays. Pierre said prior knowledge of that deal would have had no effect on his decision to sign with the Marlins, because he "had dreamed of coming back" to South Florida.

Pierre spent three seasons with the Marlins from 2003-05 and was the lead-off man for the 2003 World Series team. Last season, he hit .307 with 37 stolen bases in 130 games for the Philadelphia Phillies.