December 6th, 2007 by Top Dawg

In the wee hours of the night Dodgers GM Ned Colletti was finally getting the big bat he wanted.  The Dodgers inked Andruw Jones to a 2 year $36 million deal.  This is a win-win deal for Jones and the Dodgers.  Andruw gets to raise his value (while getting paid well) for another run at free agency in 2 years, while the Dodgers get a gold glove center fielder and some thump in their lineup.  The move will allow the Dodgers to hide Juan Pierre in left field, but at this point what good is he?  With a surplus of outfielders the Dodgers will most likely move Andre Eithier for a 3rd baseman, I don’t believe there is a 3rd baseman out there that’s better then Matt Kemp.  I would much rather have an outfield of Either, Jones, Kemp and ship Pierre out.  Pay part of his contract whatever you have to do, you are better with Either over Pierre. 

So the Dodgers patched up one of their holes and by doing so giving themselves a chip to fill the 3rd base hole.  Ideally the Dodgers trade for Joe Crede (Eithier) and sign starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda.  Otherwise Andy LaRoache and Kuroda would be fine.  Overall I’m very happy the Dodgers added Andruw, hopefully more additions are on the way…

UPDATE:  I found it very funny how much bashing Juan Pierre is taking in the Jones siging articles:

FoxSports:

“Light-hitting Juan Pierre, who had been in center field, could switch to left - potentially reducing playing time for Matt Kemp or Andre Ethier.”

LATimes:

“The Dodgers are expected to move weak-armed Juan Pierre to left field, leaving Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier for right.”

OK so he can’t hit and he can’t throw, AWESOME.