Start Andre Ethier NOW! Jihad thread

[love_that_reefer]

Despite Jason Schmidt saying he's experienced a "breakthrough" in his rehabilitation from shoulder surgery, manager Joe Torre isn't counting on him for Opening Day. Torre hasn't ruled Schmidt out, but doesn't want "to raise any red flags if he doesn't throw one day." Schmidt says that in the last two weeks the stiffness and soreness in his arm has disappeared, and that he's been "tossing" off a mound twice a week for the last month. We should know more about his status as camp continues.

Your favorite Dodger seems like he is on the right track and could be ready to pitch in April.

Then there is the real good news

The Los Angeles Daily News suggests that Juan Pierre will enter camp behind Andre Ethier in their competition for the starting job in left field. Pierre's fantasy value is based on his number of stolen bases, and being reduced to a pinch runner/hitter would obviously be a huge blow. Both Ethier and Pierre have similar splits against righties and lefties, so a platoon seems unlikely. Manager Joe Torre does prefer veteran players, and this could change if the Dodgers pull off a trade, but it is definitely a situation to monitor during spring training.

Colletti needs to trade Pierre at all costs. Colletti is just praying some team needs an OFer who can leadoff after Spring Training. Ethier, Jones and Kemp make a great OF with Young waiting in AAA.

[realmofotalk]

Joe Torre prefers his veteran players, but I can't buy that Torre is that stubborn enough to start Pierre ahead of Ethier should Ethier actually earn the starting job in left field. I mean, Mr. Big Name Manager wants to win, right?

[realmofotalk]

Dear Joe,

Your don't have to be genius to figure out by now which guy is better and wants it more.

Player	Avg	Games	AB	Runs	Hits	Total Bases	2B	3B	HR	RBI
A Ethier	.250	14	36	8	9	18	0	0	3	6
J Pierre	.205	12	39	6	8	9	1	0	0	0

Just do the right thing.

[DravenX]

Looks pretty simple to me.

[realmofotalk]

Make that 4 homers for Ethier. He just smacked a 2-run jack against our old buddy Odalis Perez.

[realmofotalk]

Games through Sunday, March 16:

Player	Avg	Games	AB	Runs	Hits	Total Bases	2B	3B	HR	RBI
A Ethier	.302	16	43	9	13	25	0	0	4	10
J Pierre	.217	14	46	6	10	12	2	0	0	2

Today's game vs. Houston:

Ethier 4-for-5, 1 HR, 3 RBI's, raises his Avg to .354
Pierre 0-for-5, Avg falls below .200

In the words of Kobe Bryant, "Juan Pierre? F-ucking ship his ass out!"

[love_that_reefer]

Yeah this is a no brainer. Teams sometimes have to suck it up and put the best product out on the field, even if that means keeping a $10mil/yr player on the bench. You give out bad contracts like that, you have to deal with it.

[Kingdom_of_Zito]

But would the front office like that they're paying a backup that much?

[redsrbetter]

Its time to trade Pierre. But I doubt they will have much of a market for him since Lofton is still yet to be signed and it took so long for someone to take a cheap flier on Patterson.

[love_that_reefer]

Originally Posted by Kingdom_of_Zito But would the front office like that they're paying a backup that much?

That was my whole point. They would have to suck it up and allow the better player to play. No front office is going to like paying a guy $10 mil to be a 4th OFer but they will like the offensive output and better defense by sitting Pierre. Sometimes you have to live with your mistakes. Fire Colletti if it makes you feel better. They can try a trade and eat a shitload of money but I don't see many biting.

[realmofotalk]

On second thought, Pierre is likely to lose the starting LF position at some point in the season, so he might as well be the one on the hot seat now.

[love_that_reefer]

Yeah Pierre is going to be hard to trade with Lofton still a free agent and he comes a lot cheaper than Pierre.

[love_that_reefer]

Juan Pierre, who recently had a meeting with Joe Torre to ask for more at-bats, went 0-for-4 while playing a third straight day on Sunday. He's 2-for-14 the last three days and is hitting .188 in 69 at-bats overall. It's not a lack of playing time that's the issue, as he has more at-bats than anyone in baseball this spring. Maybe it's that his job could be on the line for the first time since his rookie season, but the pressure is on and he's not responding.

This is getting to be an easier decision for the Dodgers.