Juan Pierre no guarantee anymore

So it looks like new manager Joe Torre is going to make Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Juan Pierre earn a starting job this spring training. The Los Angeles Daily News is reporting that Pierre will begin camp behind Andre Ethier in left field on the depth chart. And they think Juan will have to actually perform well to win the job.

This situation definitely bears some watching. Everyone knows Torre prefers playing veterans but it depends on what direction this team wants to go. If they want to go with a speedy team, Pierre is the logical choice, he still gets on base at a good clip .293 avg (only .331 obp thou), but still stole 64 bases. While Ethier himself hit .284 (.350 obp), but with 13 homers and 32 doubles. So if the Dodgers decide they’d rather have a bat in the lineup you’d have to go with him. Both players split stats against lefties and righties are similar, so a platoon would be HIGHLY unlikely.

The best situation would be a trade to avoid any controversy, because either player as a pinch-hit bat is an extreme waste of talent. Personally, I’d go with the three year pro Ethier. His youth, his bat and ability to get on base is to good to keep out of that lineup. Some would argue they do have Andruw Jones bat in that lineup now, so go with a speed guy to set the table. But i say its ANDRUW JONES! Who is coming off a horrendous season and who knows if he can rebound, especially now that he’ll have even more pressure playing in a big market on a big contract.

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Tags: Los Angeles Dodgers, MLB