Juan Big Problem

• By: Patrick Cain
• On: 6/20/2009 9:17:00 AM

Related: Patrick Cain Boston Red Sox Los Angeles Dodgers MLB 



• View Comments : 6

The Dodgers have a problem. It's the kind of problem managers don't mind having.

Manny Ramirez. Andre Ethier. Matt Kemp. Juan Pierre. Four outfielders no DH.

This is a real-world management problem that affects the fantasy world.

When Manny Ramirez was suspended for a performance enhancing drug for 50 days, the problem fixed itself - temporarily. Now, Manny's return is imminent and so are problems for manager Joe Torre.

Juan Pierre is an above average fielder who gets on base then, with his speed gives pitchers and catchers a massive headache. But of course, he has little-to-no power, unlike the other three outfielders. On top of that the team signed him to a 5-year $44-million contract in 2006. At that price they can't trade him without eating a good part of his contract.

They also can't sit him every game. He's been vocal before about not getting in games.

"Last year was torture for me," Juan Pierre told Bob Nightengale of USA Today. "If this organization thinks I'll be happy making money and sitting on the bench, they signed the wrong guy."

Keeping Pierre happy is important for the club. He's a team leader on the field and in the clubhouse. When Pierre is happy, everyone is more jovial. Torre knows this and GM Ned Colletti knows it.

But Torre's not a believer in chemistry as much as others.

"Winning creates chemistry, more so than the other way around," said Torre.

He will play. Not everyday, but I'm guessing at least twice a week he'll start. That means one of the other three OF will sit. Right now, my guess is that if it's two games a week, Ethier and Kemp will sit once. That lessens their fantasy value. Doesn't sound like much, but say (for the sake of simple math) teams play about five games a week, missing one reduces their value 20%. So if Etheir was going to hit at a 25 homerun pace from here on out, his actual production will be only about a 20 homerun pace.

The other option is trading someone. Manny's obviously out of question. With Pierre's contract, he should be off limits too. There was talk in the preseason about a Kemp for Robison Cano (because the Yankees clearly need another outfielder?...remember their top prospect is an OFer). If there was anything to that rumor, then maybe they are open to moving him. He's massively talented, could get them that pitcher that they need if they want to make a legit playoff run.

But trading either Kemp or Ethier is a bit risky because they are centerpieces to the Dodgers youth movement. But if they could deal either for a quality, young arm, they should. Pure speculation: Seeing that Colletti seems to work with the Red Sox, would one Kemp for Lester be fair? How about Masterson or Bucholz.I'm sure the Red Sox wouldn't mind a to-be all star OF. Unfortunately the only clear opening would be JD Drew in right, but he's three years into a 5-year $70 million deal.