First things first: Pastrami
You gotta love the ability to enjoy a little matzoball soup while telling the Hated Ones to go back to San Fran. This is the kind of development that makes me proud to visit the Ravine 40+ times a season. Canter's is an L.A. institution, kinda like the old schoolers called upon to kick off the festivities this Saturday at the Coliseum.
Pressing business now addressed, we move on to purely baseball-centric Dodger news.
The "Whither Andre or Juan in left" question still lingers as opening day grows closer to approaching. The majority of fans (at least the ones on this here site), along with both K Brothers and a fair amount of media (the Times' Bill Plaschke being the notable exception), have come out on the side of Joe Torre playing Ethier on a regular basis. And if you ask the younger of the southpaw players, he'll concur with that assessment, citing both his steady play during his two campaigns in the majors and an as-we-speak spring training that's been through the roof, the latter of which was done no disservices during a 10-9 loss to the Royals of Kansas City. For what it's worth, Hiroki Kuroda's outing could also be viewed as a positive (or at the very least, progress). And during that same defeat, Juan Pierre was glued to the bench, the second time in five games where his moniker didn't grace a lineup card. The older southpaw ain't thrilled (nor particularly chatty) about this situation, but Torre says he's on both aware and on top of the situation. Whichever dude doesn't get the gig will likely get time to catch up with Nomar and Kent during opening day's contest, since the veteran duo is expected to land a DL stint.
At the risk of rehashing myself for the 100th time since Andruw Jones was brought into the fold, I really do think this was a pretty obvious decision for Torre even before any spring training discrepancies were in full effect. Andre Ethier brings more to the table, all in all, on both sides of the ball than Juan Pierre. An outfield of Ethier-Jones-Kemp is more dynamic and provides more offensive and defensive weapons than Pierre-Jones-Kemp. I don't see how you can argue otherwise, when looking at the scenario as a whole. Yes, Pierre isn't particularly valuable off the bench in any capacity other than pinch-running. He's got no power and is an unlikely defensive replacement candidate. But at the same time, I'd rather play the lineup that best serves the opening 7-8 innings, as opposed to playing for the final two. I also don't think the dollars Pierre's earning should play any role in the decision. It's a sunken cost, and a finite one at that. Pierre doesn't somehow become more expensive if he sits or more of a bargain if he starts. The money remains the same: Less than desirable. But to me, the only thing worse than a less than desirable contract is a less than desirable contract that prevents a worthier player's PT. Don't let this deal hurt you on two levels.
In a lot of ways, I honestly feel bad for Pierre. The guy busts his ass on a daily basis (not that Ethier doesn't, but the work ethic is worth noting) and clearly cares about his production. He was among the only veterans of note that remained above last season's "Hatfield-McCoy" clubhouse divide (publicly, if nothing else). It's not his fault the Dodger front office underestimated Matt Kemp's readiness last season to handle a full-time gig in the outfield (a mistake that not only led to Pierre's contract, but Luis Gonzalez's increasingly problematic presence). It's not his fault he was among the few decent options at his particular position. It's not his fault the Dodgers were willing to give him a deal that now feels like it expires in 2021. None of this is Pierre's fault, but he's nonetheless taken so much heat and venom since becoming a Dodger that simply stating my opinion will serve as fuel to some energetic detractors for their "Juan Pierre sucks!" fire. And that's not what I'm getting at in the slightest. I'm not slamming Pierre, nor do I think his season was nearly as bad as many made it out, especially down the stretch. I don't even think he played "badly" to begin with. I just think Ethier's a better option and it's really not all that complicated.
-AK
Subscribe to this Blog | What is RSS?
This is crazy!! Every day I check in and the box scores tell you that Ethier is the guy to be our starting Left fielder. He's tearing it up - It's beyond just being a better all around player - He's lightyears better than Pierre!
Torre's argument of Pierre being a veteran does nothing for me - Ethier has been more than solid in his 2 years here. It looks like if he was given the opportunity to start every day he might even become better than solid.
I'm with AK & BK, Pierre isnt the antichrist, he's a complimentary piece to a ball club, but not a starter. Especially on this team!
Anyway I know I'm preaching to the choir here but this non decision is driving me crazy. VOTE ETHIER!
Posted by: Jukuren | March 25, 2008 at 11:32 AM
As Kevin Baxter at the Times puts it:
"But Ethier, 25, has more power, a better arm and will drive in more runs, tools that would make him more valuable off the bench. And that fact, ironically, could wind up costing him the starting job."
If that's the case, why don't we sit ANY of the 3 of Ethier, Jones, or Kemp so that Pierre can play everyday?? Obviously, with Kevin's thinking, Juan Pierre deserves to start b/c he DOESN'T have power, DOESN'T have an arm, & WON'T drive in runs.
WHAT A JOKE...
Posted by: Brian | March 25, 2008 at 12:26 PM
D'oh! And here we just got our seats for the loge level. Maybe it won't take too long to run down to the Canter's stand....
Posted by: Eric B. | March 25, 2008 at 01:32 PM
Brian-
I don't think that's necessarily Baxter's logic (beat guys tend not to editorialize in a notebook like that), but if it's the prevailing logic of the club, fair to say it's backward thinking. Trade three ABs of the better player for one, because he might be better off the bench?
Either Pierre is better for the lineup, or Ethier is. But if they try to justify it in that way, it makes no sense. How many more games are won by the starters, without PHs ever seeing the field or playing a prominent role?
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | March 25, 2008 at 01:34 PM
Looks like with todays lineup, we're going to be a better team...Ethier is on the bench!
Pierre, LF
Furcal, SS
Kemp, RF
Loney, 1B
Jones, CF
Martin, C
Abreu, 2B
DeWitt, 3B
Penny, P
Posted by: Brian | March 25, 2008 at 01:45 PM
AK
I think you are right on target. I am sure Pierre is a stand-up guy and works as hard or harder than anyone on the team. I sure think it isn't his fault that he was paid so much, and as I have said before. The Dodgers got what they paid for. The decision will definitely be a reflection on Torre not knowing how things will shake out. He could be criticzed which ever way he goes. I think that Eithier/Jones/Kemp is the way to go and I do not think that platooning is the proper direction. Ethier should be in the lineup on opening day and break that consecutive game streak of Juan's. Doing it immediately will keep it from coming up and dealing with it later. Then Torre will be able to manuever more effectively. I also understand Juan's position and I respect him for it. Not many work as hard as he does.
Package
Posted by: Package | March 25, 2008 at 01:48 PM
Did I miss some major development during the spring that eliminated Matt Kemp from this choice? I could have sworn heading into Spring Training that it was three outfielders competing for two spots? If Andre Either is suspect to start in left, why isn't Kemp receiving the same vaguery in right? Personally I'd go with the youth movement and leave the table setting to Raffy....
Just curious as to when Matt Kemp was guaranteed to be a starter... wasn't he the centerpiece of trade talks all winter?
Posted by: Cole | March 25, 2008 at 01:51 PM
Juan should feel like an extreamly blessed individual. Getting the kind of paycheck he does for being just average. We should all be so lucky. I don't think anyone really hates juan, we just want the best players playing. The best thing he could do for the team would be to accept his part time role as a player and remain a positive force in the clubhouse. By keeping unity in the house he would in a way be earning some of that paycheck. After all look at their record last year when everyone started to belly ache. There is nothing worse then a pissy millionaire.
Posted by: dodgerdog | March 25, 2008 at 01:58 PM
Pierre back in the lineup and leading off? I guess there is crying in baseball...hopefully he goes hitless again - dribblers down the line, pop-ups, etc. - and puts the final nail in his coffin for the spring.
Posted by: Brian | March 25, 2008 at 01:58 PM
Maybe Pierre should play center field. After all, Andruw Jones has much better power numbers, and would be more likely than Pierre to hit a pinch homer.
This is the same kind of logic as used by little league managers who bat the worst player first, so as to get his at-bat over with quickly.
Posted by: SaMo | March 25, 2008 at 02:53 PM
Kershaw
6 K's in 3 IP
Posted by: Brian | March 25, 2008 at 03:04 PM
AK,
Well written article...My sentiments exactly...Couldn't done it better myself
Enough of the sucking up for today...Anyone coming down to the "Litterbox" for the first weekend series in April. Picked up 3 free tickets for the military opener on the 4th. My wife doesn't think she will be able to attend.
I'll have an extra seat in section 318. I know...not the best of seats but what can you say for free
Posted by: K T USN (almost retired) | March 25, 2008 at 03:25 PM
Phew!! Good thing Ethier was available off the bench in the 9th to help tie it up - Ned/Torre/whoever thought up this primo scenerio of sitting Ethier for 8 innings is a genius! Man, if he'd been in the game all along, I'm sure: A) we wouldn't be losing 3-2 prior to that, and B) Pierre wouldn't have done jack coming off the bench in that same position.
Posted by: Brian | March 25, 2008 at 03:54 PM
Juan is the loneliest number that you'll ever do.....
Posted by: benzojones | March 25, 2008 at 05:43 PM
The most important thing I took from this blog is that Canter's is at Dodger Stadium now. I hope they offer the Brooklyn sandwich... or better yet, the O'Malley. I never thought about Pastrami and baseball together, but it sounds good to me right about now...
Posted by: Higgins | March 25, 2008 at 06:35 PM
KT,
I was thinking about hitting up the Litterbox on the first weekend. There's nothing quite like going in person to see the Dodgers make the Madres fans tears roll down their cheeks and into their fish tacos! Hit me up if you still have my email addy, please.
Posted by: DodgerBlueBalls | March 25, 2008 at 08:38 PM
DBB,
Sent an e-mail...hopefully it was to you. I added over 120 high school contacts recently from my 30 year reunion.
Posted by: K T USN (almost retired) | March 26, 2008 at 02:47 PM