Juan Pierre (Mark J. Terrill; AP)
By: Kevin Anderson
There is something about White Sox General Manager Kenny Williams that you have to admire: He never focuses on the future. Only the present time is what matters to him.
This is why he went out and got exactly what the White Sox needed the most; a lead-off hitter who can bunt, steal and hit.
That new weapon is Juan Pierre.
The Sox gave up two minor league pitchers in John Ely and Jon Link to acquire Pierre from the Los Angeles Dodgers.
John Ely was one of the Sox top prospects, going 14-2 with an ERA just under 3.00 in 27 starts for Class AA Birmingham. He was expendable with the Sox having a starting 5 rotation that has the potential to be the best in the majors in 2010.
Here is what the Sox get in Pierre:
- A lead-off hitter with a career batting average of .301
- A speedster who can steal (30 stolen bases in 145 games in 09’; 5th in the NL). Speed and small ball is his game, as is Ozzie Guillens.
- A left fielder. This is big because now Carlos Quentin can move to right, his natural position.
- A fresh set of legs. Pierre has only played in 264 games in the last two seasons.
Let’s take a trip down memory lane back to 2005. The Sox acquired Scott Podsednik and he was the cornerstone to that World Series team.
Can Pierre do better?
The knock on Pierre is, he has never played in the American League and his career On Base Percentage is .341. Add in the fact that he is 33 years old.
Sure, there are certain areas for concern with Pierre, but that could be said with any player in the MLB (except maybe Albert Pujols).
The fact is this: Pierre has already made this team better without even taking a swing in a black and white uniform.
Barring injury, I’m expecting Pierre to have a big season.
Every manager who has coached Pierre has said the same thing: He hustles and never complains. He is a baseball player.
I think a baseball player is exactly what the Sox need.
Lead the way Saint Pierre.
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