December 6, 2020

By Danny Gallagher

Canadian Baseball Network

Pierre Arsenault has become an unfortunate victim of Covid-19 cutbacks in baseball.

The 57-year-old native of Roberval, Que., has been let go by the Miami Marlins after serving them for 19 years, first as a bullpen coordinator and in recent years as a scout.

"They called me to say my contract wasn't getting renewed for 2021 due to budget cuts being Covid-related,'' Arsenault said in an interview. "C'est la vie. Everybody is dumping salary and not really adding right now. I'm letting the dust settle and will see where I go from here. I'm enjoying my time at home with (wife) Toni and the boys.

"I've talked to a couple of people with the Blue Jays. It would be a great fit, especially with my familiarity with their organization, top to bottom, and also being Canadian and bilingual. We'll see.''

One of the highlights of Arsenault's time with the Marlins was getting a ring from owner Jeffrey Loria when the Marlins won the World Series in 2003. He was grateful to have spent time under the most recent ownership group led by Bruce Sherman and Derek Jeter.

"I was lucky to last three years under the Jeter regime. Unfortunately, I was never a Yankee,'' Arsenault said. "In 2010, I developed hip issues and to the Marlins' credit, they transitioned me into the role of pro scout (from the bullpen post). I covered MLB organizations only, from Rookie ball all the way to major league teams. They always gave me Toronto.''

Prior to his long stint with the Marlins, Arsenault had worked for 15 seasons as a bullpen coordinator with the Expos. He actually started part-time with the Expos in 1987 as a batting-practice pitcher at home games.

For many years, either with the Expos or Marlins, he was listed as a bullpen coordinator, although he was the de facto coach because he would catch starting pitchers warming up to go into a game. While with the Expos, he worked closely with closers such as John Wetteland, Mel Rojas and Ugueth Urbina.

The likeable, personable Arsenault was a catcher growing up in Quebec so his role in the bullpen was an ideal position for him. He was signed by the Chicago White Sox as a non-drafted free agent in 1985 but never played in the minors.

Earlier this fall, Canadian Murray Cook (Sackville, N.B.), a former GM with the Yankees, Expos and Reds, was let go by the Tigers after serving them for 13 years as a scout.