Dodgers sign Pierre to five-year contract

[rik]

LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Dodgers announced today that they have signed outfielder Juan Pierre to a five-year contract through 2011, according to Dodger General Manager Ned Colletti.
"Juan's ability to hit combined with his speed make him a perfect catalyst for our lineup," said Colletti. "His work ethic and character are second-to-none and he knows what it takes to win. He's dedicated to the community and I truly believe the city of Los Angeles is going to love this player."

Pierre, 29, led the National League in hits last season with 204 and has finished in the Top 3 in that category while topping the 200-hit plateau in four of the last five seasons. Since 2001, he has registered 1,182 hits, the second-most in baseball behind Seattle's Ichiro Suzuki.

The left-handed hitting outfielder has finished first or second in the National League in stolen bases in each of the past six seasons, including a career-high 65 steals in 2003. His 318 thefts since 2001 lead all Major Leaguers and his 325 career swipes rank seventh among all active players.

In 2006, Pierre led the National League in singles (156) and tied for the league lead in multi-hit games with 64 while playing for the Cubs. He set a career high with 32 doubles and matched his career best with 13 triples for the second consecutive season. Pierre did not commit an error in 384 total chances in center field.

Pierre also paced the NL in games played last year for the fourth consecutive season, as he has played in 497 consecutive games dating back to 2002, the second-longest streak in the Major Leagues behind Miguel Tejada (918). Over those four seasons, Pierre has also been the hardest player in the league to strike out each year and is the leader in that category among active players, fanning just once every 16.5 at-bats.

One of the top bunters in the game, Pierre has ranked second in the Majors in bunt hits in each of the past four seasons after leading all of baseball in that category in 2001 and 2002. Since 2001, he has logged 135 bunt hits, 50 more than Alex Sanchez, who ranks second during that period. Pierre also has 72 sacrifice bunts during that span, the second-most in the Major Leagues behind Omar Vizquel.

During the Marlins' championship season of 2003, Pierre finished 10th in NL MVP voting, as he led the league in five categories, including games (162), at-bats (668), stolen bases (65), singles (168) and sacrifice hits (15). That year, he was honored by the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum with the James "Cool Papa" Bell Award for leading the league in thefts. In the World Series, Pierre batted .333 with a .481 on-base percentage in six games.

A native of Mobile, Alabama, Pierre attended the University of South Alabama after graduating from Alexandria High School in Louisiana, where he was the valedictorian. He has been committed to the community in each of his previous stints with Colorado (2000-02), Florida (2003-05) and Chicago (2006).

http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20061122&content_id=1745540&vkey=pr_la&fext=.jsp&c_id=la

[WC Iz Active]

Fuck the Dodgers

[Javier]

Just when I thought the Dodgers were finally heading in the right direction, they go out and do this bullshit.  First of all, Juan Pierre?  JUAN PIERRE?  9 Million?!  AND FOR 5 FUCKING YEARS?  Embarrassing for the Dodger organization to sign Pierre for this contract. 

[WC Iz Active]

^^LOL yup, as a Giant fan there are still alot of things we need to do to improve our team so I aint talkin shit, but horrible signing for LA.  If this was Pierre 4 years ago then its ok but he has declined big the last 2 years.

[Don Jacob]

 

[WestCoasta]

good move


Javii, so much for JD Drew huh?



DePodesta lost, these lame players don't fly with the fans

[Javier]

good move


Javii, so much for JD Drew huh?



DePodesta lost, these lame players don't fly with the fans

Actually DePodesta has been on the correct sight on pretty much everything he touched.  The 2 year deal worked out fine for the Dodgers, unless you wanted Drew to have a no trade clause in his contract? 

[WestCoasta]

Drew was sorry

he put up numbers but he shoulda done much more

he looked pissed off all the time too, I hate fuckers like that

[Javier]

Drew in 2005, while playing in only 72 games was more valueable than Pierre in 162 games.  Drew in 2006 was the Dodgers' best hitter basically.  His numbers were on par with his career numbers

[rik]

DePodesta was a fuckin' loser. Drew sucked, I'm glad both of those assholes are gone. This was a pretty good move considering what's out there. Now we sign a pithcer or two and then make a move for a power hitter.

[Javier]

The fact is that Drew does not suck.  Just because he didn't high five everybody and sucked the fan's dick doesn't make him a sucky player.     Considering what's out there?  Fuck what's out there, Pierre is a piece of shit player that just has speed.  He relies on his speed for BA, now he's entering the time where speed starts going down guess what's gonna happen to Pierre?  To makes things worst, he has no fucking patience.  The point of baseball is to get avoid outs and frankly Pierre isn't good at that. 

["THE" MoSav]

The fact is that Drew does not suck.  Just because he didn't high five everybody and sucked the fan's dick doesn't make him a sucky player.     Considering what's out there?  Fuck what's out there, Pierre is a piece of shit player that just has speed.  He relies on his speed for BA, now he's entering the time where speed starts going down guess what's gonna happen to Pierre?  To makes things worst, he has no fucking patience.  The point of baseball is to get avoid outs and frankly Pierre isn't good at that. 

Real talk
The Dodgers did what they always do, sign a player before the Giants can.The Giants were talking to Pierre and a day later the Dodgers sign dude. What a waste of money. Glad the Giants didnt sign him.