Dodgers outfielder Juan Pierre in limbo

[February 17, 2009]  PHOENIX (AP) -- Juan Pierre still wants to know if he has a role with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Pierre's situation remains in limbo until Manny Ramirez signs with a team.

Pierre arrived at spring training on Sunday, showing up three days early and feeling the same as he did at the end of last season -- frustrated.

"I kind of feel like I'm in the way around here," he said. "Last year I wasn't helping the team or me. It was torture for me.

"All I want is a chance to compete."

A career .300 hitter whose 429 steals are tops among active players, the 31-year-old Pierre won't know whether he's a starter or a part-timer -- or possibly even with another team -- until Ramirez makes his decision.

Pierre, who had at least 656 plate appearances each of the previous five seasons, last year started just 71 times and had 375 at-bats. He batted .283 and had 40 steals.

He had signed a five-year contract for about $45 million with Los Angeles in November 2006 after having played for the Chicago Cubs, Colorado and Florida.

After initially being bumped from center to left last season by the acquisition of Andruw Jones, Pierre missed 20 games when he sprained his left knee sliding on June 29 and went on the disabled list for the first time in his career.

Shortly after Pierre returned, Ramirez was acquired and took over in left. A couple of younger players, Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp, filled the other two outfield spots.

"We were winning, so I kept my mouth shut. I'm a realist and all those guys were playing well. Manny, he's a Hall of Famer; Andruw was a future Hall of Famer. One thing they want that I can't do is hit for power," said Pierre, who had 13 career home runs.

Will he request a trade if he's not a regular this season?

"I played 60-something games (last year). I'm not happy. Use your logic," Pierre said.

Manager Joe Torre can't do much to clarify the outfielder's status.

"Right now as you look at it, he's our regular left fielder until the decision is made on Manny," Torre said. "He certainly has proven he could do that in the past. Last year before he got hurt, he was our regular."

Asked if the Dodgers would accommodate a trade request by Pierre, Torre said, "That's a tough question. He's certainly valuable. We're certainly sensitive to his desires, too. I know Ned (general manager Ned Colletti) also is sensitive to that.

"But until we know for sure who we're going to have on this club, I think that's a little premature right now."

Torre said he understands Pierre's feelings.

"This is a guy who's used to playing every single out in every game. That's what helped me appreciate how professional he was," Torre said. "The fact that he wasn't playing never kept him from trying to help other players.

"When we wanted him off the bench, he was ready to do that. I don't think a manager could ask for a better player for his club, although he may not like or understand the situation, he still knows what he needs to do."

Pierre has reasons to be thankful even now.

"I'm still in a good situation. (Free agent outfielder) Garret Anderson doesn't even have a job," Pierre said. "I do have a job, a uniform to put on. I'm grateful for that."

[Associated Press; By KEN PETERS]

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