3. Juan Pierre LF- Chicago White Sox
Juan Pierre was traded to the White Sox for two players to be named later. Pierre is owed $18.5 million on his contract for the next two seasons. It has been reported that the White Sox will pay $3 million of that salary for next season, followed by an additional $5 million in 2011. The Dodgers would then be on the hook for the remaining $10.5 million. Yikes! Pierre is one of only 16 active players to have a career .300 or better batting average. Although Pierre was relegated to fourth outfielder duty in Los Angeles he still had a phenomenal 2009 campaign. Thanks in large part to Manny Ramirez’s need for birth control Pierre played in 145 games, he also often substituted as a late-inning defensive replacement.
This will be Pierre’s second stint in Chicago, but his first appearance in the American League. In 2006 Pierre was a member of the north-siders before being sent to L.A. in 2007. His presence at the plate and on the bases will continue to be felt by opposing pitchers in the central and throughout the league. Pierre is still an elite base stealer and with a full seasons work could likely push for 50 plus stolen bases as he did earlier in his career. Pierre will likely man the top of the order along side Alexei Ramirez and/or Gordan Beckham. Either way if Pierre is destined to bat lead-off or ninth in the White Sox order he will be setting the table for Chicago’s middle of the order run producers. Pierre’s ability will not only be recognized at the plate, but in the field. The White Sox can field an impressive outfield along side Pierre with late 2009 acquisition Alex Rios and recently signed 10-time gold glover Andrum Jones. Where the money being spent on Pierre and Jones could have been invested in one big bat to hold the Designated Hitter spot, the White Sox opted out of pursuing a Vladimir Guerrero or Hideki Matsui. I agree with Coach Ozzie Guillen that Pierre in left to go along with a DH by committee will work on the south side.
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Maybe its just me, but I have no idea what everyone sees in Juan Pierre. I think he sucks. He's bad offensively and overrated defensively. Having him on the White Sox will increase the Twins' chance of winning the division.
ReplyDeleteI am moreso a Cubs fan than a Twins and was extremely frustrated with how he performed for the Cubs. If you're a batting average guy you gotta like Pierre though.
ReplyDeleteBetter career batting average than Bobby Abreu, Carl Crawford, Lance Berkman, Chase Utley, Chone Figgins, Garreet Anderson. But you're right he is a one-dimensional slap hitter. And his arm isn't strong but i believe he has pretty good range. His stolen base numbers will only continue to fall off with age but assuming health he is lock for 45 swipes this season. We'll see how he pans out.
The problem with batting average is just what you highlighted - it makes him look like a better hitter than the guys you listed. I've stopped looking at batting average when evaluating hitters.
ReplyDeleteOPS is the way to go.
ReplyDeleteThank You for commenting.
Buster Olney says Juan Pierre is the biggest acquisition in the AL central this offseason.
ReplyDelete