Dodgers send Juan Pierre and cash to White Sox

Posted on December 15, 2009

Juan Pierre of the Los Angeles Dodgers bats against the San Francisco Giants during the game at AT&T Park on September 13, 2009 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin)

 

I woke up this morning ready to devour all the Hot Stove League news I missed while sleeping and discovered that the Dodgers have shipped outfielder Juan Pierre and some cash to the White Sox for two players to be named later. The White Sox will pay Pierre $3 million in 2010 and $5 million in 2011. This means the Dodgers will pay a little more than half of what’s remaining on his five-year, $44 million contract that runs through the 2011 season.

It is going to be a very interesting winter for the Los Angeles Dodgers as owners Frank and Jamie McCourt go through a nasty divorce. Just like the Padres were destroyed by divorce last season I look for the Dodgers to suffer through many problems. As a Giants fan I can’t say this makes me very sad. Look for many moves to come out of Los Angeles this winter as they dump salary and unload players.

The White Sox will be getting a .301 lifetime hitter in Pierre, who batted .308 for the Dodgers in 145 games in 2009, with a .365 on-base percentage and 30 stolen bases. The 32-year-old speedster should have a chance to start in the Chisox outfield in 2010 as they will probably be losing free agents Scott Podsednik and Jermaine Dye.

I have liked Pierre’s game for a long time- ever since I first saw him play for the Rockies in 2000. He really made a name for himself when he helped lead the 2003 Florida Marlins to the World Series where they beat the Yankees in 6 games. During the 2003 campaign Pierre was an ideal lead off hitter, batting .305 and stealing 65 bases.

Wearing his baggy pants and high socks, Pierre always looked fast on the ball field and was fun to photograph as he dropped down bunts (see above), stole bases and made diving catches in the outfield. After a stop in Chicago (2006) where he played one season for the Cubs (204 hits, 58 stolen bases) Pierre became a free agent. At the time the Giants needed a lead off hitter and I was really hoping they would get Pierre. He ended up being too expensive as new Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti threw a huge pile of cash at him. The Giants got Dave Roberts instead. Yikes.

Pierre will be another of the new players in a new uniform for me to photograph in March during spring training in Arizona when he suits up in the White Sox black, white and grays. Sox team photographer Ron Vesely has another new guy to shoot as the club retools for 2010. For Ves’s sake I hope they pull off a few more moves before the trucks leave for Camelback Ranch in February. Juan Pierre is not enough.