Juan Pierre is a Dodger no more. The speedy outfielder was sent to the Chicago White Sox in exchange for two players to be named later, though the speculation is that John Ely and Jon Link will be shipped to Los Angeles.
Pierre signed a five-year deal in the offseason of ’06-’07 for $9 million each season after J.D. Drew opted out of his contract. However, the amount being paid to Pierre was too much for a leadoff outfielder with a weak arm. Andruw Jones was signed in order to provide more power, and when he didn’t work out, Manny Ramirez was acquire from the Red Sox. That plus the improvement of Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier forced Pierre out of a starting job. A trade was sought last offseason, but the amount he was owed was too much for teams to consider. Pierre served a bench role, but was called into duty after Manny was suspended, playing admirably well for a two-month stretch. However, once Ramirez returned, Pierre had to ride the pine the rest of the way.
The Dodgers looked to unload Pierre this offseason for a back-of-the-rotation starter, though it appears that the need to remove him took precedence over the returns. Chicago will cover roughly $8 million of his remaining salary, leaving LA to pay the rest of the $10 million.
While Pierre is not a premiere player, he is a top go-getter. He can hit for average and run, but that’s all, and with the money he was owed and the players already in the outfield, there was no room for him. At least this gives the Dodgers two young pitchers to cultivate, as well as a chance to give someone new a shot at the fourth outfielder role, including Jason Repko and Xavier Paul.
Mr. LA Sports Fan is an anagram for Norm's Flat Raps.
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