I don’t know. Something about this picture just feels so….right.
Via MLB.com:
The Dodgers have given Juan Pierre’s agent permission to explore potential trade partners for the outfielder who again lost his starting job with the re-signing of left fielder Manny Ramirez.
“I understand the situation, and if they hadn’t signed Manny, it would have been a surprise,” said Pierre. “I’m not bitter about it. I totally get it, you know what I mean? But I want to play. So they gave us permission to talk to teams and try to find a situation that can work out for everybody, and that’s all I can ask for.”
Pierre is entering the third year of a five-year, $44 million contract with $28.5 million in salary remaining. Pierre said he would defer payment if that would help facilitate a trade.
“I realize the economic situation,” Pierre said of his contract. “I’ll defer if it makes it more attractive. I told [manager Joe] Torre today that I totally understand what’s going on, and he said he would try to get me in there whenever he can. I have no beef with that. I told Joe I will be the team guy I’ve always been.
And by defer, Pierre means he’ll take 90% now for his play on the field and 10% after the season as an appearance fee.