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Dodgers Give Juan Pierre 5 Years, $44-45 Million

Crazy, dumb and dumb. Contrary to popular belief, Pierre isn't a good player. He doesn't get on base much, he has no power at all, he doesn't play defense very well, and he doesn't steal bases nearly effectively enough to make up for any of those shortcomings.

Worse, the Dodgers have a legitimately excellent centerfield prospect in Matt Kemp. Kemp was only okay in a trial with the big club next year, but he was only 21. In a year or two - or maybe even less - he'll be playing circles around Pierre. So the solution here, it seems to me, would have been to sign a veteran centerfielder (like Kenny Lofton, who the Dodgers had last year) to a short-term deal and let him share playing time with Kemp. Instead, they've relegated Kemp to a corner outfield spot, while committing huge money to a guy who's likely to be pretty terrible in a few years when his foot speed starts to disappear. I don't think there is any way Pierre is worth half this much. He is badly overvalued, and the only reason why I can think of is that people are enamored of his stolen base totals.

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Pierre
Crazy dollars for a leadoff hitter who tends to lead with a groundout or weak fly ball.

But I must add that a scout I know well and sort of trust says Kemp is a poor defensive center fielder.

by bolton on Nov 21, 2006 7:11 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

Really?
I've only read positive things, but I spend 15 minutes or so scouring the internet for information about Kemp's defense and was surprised how little I found. Everyone says he has the tools to be a good centerfielder and a good arm.

by Charlie on Nov 21, 2006 3:27 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

kemp
It's just one scout's opinion. He's certainly not always right.

by bolton on Nov 21, 2006 10:06 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Once more, with feeling
Maholm for Ethier!

Or, Gonzalez for Ethier.

Or Wilson/Castillo and ... take your pick of Sharpless/Capps/Bayliss/Grabow/Marte/Torres for Ethier.  Maybe they'd have to send some A-ball reliever to even it out if it was, say Wilson and Torres.

azibuck

by azibuck on Nov 21, 2006 9:25 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

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