Garciaparra signs; Dodgers court Pierre
LOS ANGELES --After ensuring Nomar Garciaparra would be back, the Los Angeles Dodgers turned their attention to free-agent center fielder Juan Pierre.
Garciaparra's $18.5 million, two-year contract was finalized on Monday by the Dodgers, who also were trying to reach a deal with Juan Pierre.
"We've talked to his agent a few times. We're in a conversation. We don't have a deal," Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti said.
An agent for another major league player and an official from another big league team said the Dodgers and Pierre were discussing a contract that would be worth about $45 million over five years.
Colletti praised Pierre's ability at the plate and running the bases.
"He's another guy with great qualities as a human being, like Nomar," Colletti said.
Colletti wouldn't characterize whether an agreement with Pierre was close.
"It's either done or it's not done and right now it's not done," Colletti said.
Los Angeles is in the market for a center field since J.D. Drew opted out of the final three years of his contract and became a free agent.
Pierre batted .292, hit three homers with 40 RBIs and stole 58 bases for the Cubs last season. He earned $5.75 million with Chicago. The 29-year-old also has played with the Colorado Rockies and the Florida Marlins during his six-year big league career. He has a .303 career batting average and 325 stolen bases.
"I believe Juan is moving down the road with some other clubs," Cubs general manager Jim Hendry said after announcing his team's $136 million, eight-year contract with Alfonso Soriano.
The 33-year-old Garciaparra, the NL comeback player of the year, will get a $2.5 million signing bonus, which is deferred until Jan. 31, 2009, and Jan. 31, 2010, and salaries of $7.5 million next season and $8.5 million in 2008. He would get an additional $250,000 each year for 500 plate appearances.
A two-time AL batting champion, Garciaparra shifted to first base with the Dodgers last season, his first with the team. He hit .303 with 93 RBIs and 20 home runs to tie J.D. Drew for the team lead in homers.
"I was hoping to be back and wanted to be back. I'm glad I didn't have to go anywhere else," Garciaparra said.
He grew up in nearby Whittier and graduated from St. John Bosco High in suburban Bellflower.
Colletti said Garciaparra played a huge role in the Dodgers' success this year. After playing mostly shortstop in his previous 10 big league seasons, Garciaparra made a seamless switch to first in Los Angeles. He made only four errors in 1,124 chances for a .996 fielding percentage, the NL's second-highest for a first baseman last season.
Asked if he expects to remain at first, Garciaparra said the decision was up to manager Grady Little.
"I'm sure there'll be a time when I play first, maybe a time when I'll play a different position," he said. "Wherever Grady needs me, he can pencil me in. If he needs me to catch, I'll catch -- but I don't think he will."
Los Angeles was swept by the New York Mets in the first round of the playoffs and is 1-12 in the postseason since winning the 1988 World Series.
Garciaparra was AL Rookie of the Year in 1997 and won his first batting title in 1999. He was considered one of baseball's best shortstops for several years while playing with the Boston Red Sox.
Before the groin injury in 2005, he was sidelined for 81 games in 2004 with three injuries -- to his Achilles' tendon, left wrist and right groin. He had surgery on his right wrist when he was with the Red Sox in 2001.
`It's part of the game," he said. "I've battled through them, come back strong. That's not on my mind now. I'm feeling great now."
