Inside the Dodgers

Joe Torre broke the news to Juan Pierre this morning. ``He just said `OK,' but I know he is disappointed, and that's fine,'' Torre said. ``You don't want a guy sitting on your bench who just accepts being on the bench.'' Torre said JP will be a regular bench player, pinch hitting, etc. ``Before it's all said and done, we're going to get contributions from a lot of people,'' Torre said. ... In other moves, the team reassigned Brian Falkenborg, Mike Koplove, Greg Jones, Clayton Kershaw, Chan Ho Park, Rene Rivera, Danny Ardoin and Rene Rivera and disabled Nomar, LaRoche and Schmidt. The guess here is that Park will be the first guy called up when the team decides to add a 12th pitcher, something Torre acknowledged will probably happen in the next week or two. For now, Park is slated to start the Vegas season opener on Thursday at home against Salt Lake. ... Tony Abreu also is expected to be DL'd by tonight, and there are more cuts yet to be made. But Torre said there also could still be a last-minute trade. For now, Chin-lung Hu is on the team as an extra infielder. Angel Chavez, a non-roster infielder, still hasn't been cut, either.

Comments

Nice!!! Torre did the right thing. Poor Ned must be besides himself..

Posted by: jason | March 30, 2008 12:48 PM

Benching Pierre for Ethier shows the great judgment Torre has. In comparing the two during spring training play, he really had no other choice.

Posted by: Buster | March 30, 2008 12:50 PM

Victory for the bloggers. Defeat for the gasbag Plaschke.

Posted by: V-JP Day | March 30, 2008 12:50 PM

Comparing the last two seasons and the make up of our roster he had no choice as well. Not just spring but I hear ya. Whatever it's all good.

Posted by: jason | March 30, 2008 12:53 PM

yea yea yea yea yea yea. its about putting the best team on the field. there is hope.

Posted by: fred andrews | March 30, 2008 1:05 PM

Look...Pierre isn't a bad player...he just doesn't fit here now...if there's any blame...it's Colletti's for not having a plan in place when he signed Andruw Jones.

That said...I'm amped about letting the young guys play everyday...

Pierre on the pine.....$9 mil

Either lf and hitting 3rd....pricless

Posted by: chuck | March 30, 2008 1:10 PM

Ned must be beside himself. HA. Way to go Joe.

Posted by: J.L. | March 30, 2008 1:13 PM

Ned won't care if the Dodgers make it to the playoffs, and that is a long long time away. Lots can happen between now and then.

Posted by: SteveLA | March 30, 2008 1:50 PM

This decision would have never happened had Ned just resigned Kenny Lofton for one more season but since the 6th choice for GM decided to sign Pierre and waste our time and his time for one season we had to go through this.

Hopefully Pierre gets traded this week.

Posted by: The_Great_Arcade_Fire | March 30, 2008 2:14 PM

"Is he a bench player or is he not starting tomorrow?" Colletti asked. "It's a long season. You've got to compete, you've got to play. I understand the build-up to Opening Day. But you look at a lot of Opening Day rosters and there are players you can't even recognize. It changes day by day."

Get over it Ned.

Posted by: chucksonline | March 30, 2008 3:07 PM

Right on!

Posted by: Dodgers-85364 | March 30, 2008 3:08 PM

Ned is a first class tool.

Posted by: J.L. | March 30, 2008 3:12 PM

I think people are really starting to dislike Ned. I hope Frank is on Joe's side.

Posted by: manuel correa | March 30, 2008 3:24 PM

Ned is in denial. Nothing a good shrink can't fix.

Posted by: Dodger Dawg | March 30, 2008 5:10 PM

"Starting" to dislike Ned, Manuel??? Doesn't that mean we had to "like" him first??? lol

I agree with great_arcade_fire...he coulda signed Lofton for a year and we'd have been in good shape.