What in the world is Joe Torre thinking?
When Juan Pierre was apparently relegated to the bench prior to the start of the season, I was duly impressed—for once, a manager displayed some cojones and made the right decision, salaries be damned. For that I gave the Dodgers a pass for sending Clayton Kershaw to the minors (in favor of the more reliable Esteban Loaiza, a guy who will reliably notch a 5.50 ERA).
But tonight, for the third straight game, Juan Pierre started over Matt Kemp in just the latest Dodger display of utter stubbornness.
Granted, the whole problem really stems from Ned Colletti’s penchant for doling out huge contracts to fill holes that aren’t really there. That’s why he signed Pierre in the first place even though he already had a nearly major-league ready center fielder (Kemp) and a leadoff man (Furcal).
But I digress. Just like Joe, we’re all dealt strange hands in life sometimes. It’s up to us in those instances to make the best of it.
I understand that Kemp has been struggling (if you can even draw a reliable sample size from three games). He strikes out too much. Fair point. But how is he supposed to improve while sitting on the bench? It’s one thing to stick with Pierre if he’s hitting the cover off the ball, but as of this moment, he’s currently 1 for 14 with no walks, of course, because Pierre avoids walks like I avoid South Chicago. He’s fast, and that’s pretty much it. He stays on the field because his monster contract virtually guarantees he can’t be traded.
This is not to disparage Pierre as a person; from all accounts he is a nice guy and a hard worker. I believe that.
But the bottom line is that Kemp has the power and speed, and he’s potentially a far superior fielder (if inexperienced at times). You might think it’s “safer” to play a veteran instead of a youngster, which is sometimes true, but the flipside is that you know exactly what you’re going to get from the former while the latter may end up being something really special.
Pierre’s contract was a mistake, but you’ll be out that money whether Pierre is on the bench sulking or on the field getting himself out. Don’t make another mistake by playing him—two wrongs don’t make a right.
Nobody will ever fault you for putting your best team on the field, Joe. Take a risk sometime.
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6 months ago
Right on!
6 months ago
I hear ya. I've got Kemp in 2 of my baseball fantasy leagues and I just don't understand why Torre continues to put in veterans over the younger stars. Like you stated, if Pierre was on a hot streak then I could see the justification, but he isn't. Kemp has so much upside and could only get better if he gets more chances to play.
There are times to be loyal and then there are times to just do what is best for the team. Joe needs to learn and learn fast that this isn't New York anymore, he's got to change as well.
5 months ago
I agree with you its Joke that the Dodgers have Loaiza as their 5th Starter over Kershaw. Though on Pierre I need to disagree everyone blams Juan Pierre, though he arm is not the best in the field, Kemp is still learning and given that the Dodgers need to make Pierre not only happy but use him now for his speed and onbase % more then just his fielding and 0 HR.
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