Why the Los Angeles Dodgers Need To Hold On to Juan Pierre

Juan Pierre will head back to the bench when Manny Ramirez returns from his 50-game suspension, confirmed Joe Torre.

Prior to this season started, the Dodgers gave Pierre and his agent permission to talk to other teams in hopes of working out a trade, since Ramirez's re-signing with the Dodgers pushed Pierre to the backup role in left field.

Yesterday Torre said, "Yeah, I really didn't consider any other option," adding that Pierre will play about twice a week while giving one of the three regular outfielders a rest.

Pierre is currently batting .352 in 165 at-bats with an .867 OPS. In Manny’s absence, he was lead off batter for the majority of the games.

Pierre recently tied former Dodger Steve Sax on the top 50 career MLB stolen base leaders list with 444 on June 12, 2009, against the Texas Rangers in Arlington. The next day, June 13, he pushed Sax out of the top 50 with his 445th steal, again versus the Rangers in Arlington, TX.

Though a speedster on the bases, Pierre was not on the All-Star ballot this year. Many Dodgers fans believe he deserves to be the write in vote and back up in the outfield during the game.

At the same time, trade rumors have floated in from different locations. The Dodgers have included Seattle's Jarrod Washburn on their list of trade targets, and Washburn delivered his fifth quality start in six outings for the Mariners on Thursday. The Mariners could use help in left field, but the Internet-fueled rumor of Washburn for Juan Pierre makes little sense.

The Mariners need Washburn if they're still in contention, and they don't need Pierre if they're not. For now, they're very much in the pennant race, having won seven of their last nine games to stay within reach of Texas and the Angels in the AL West. Pierre for Washburn unlikely to happen at this point.

In my interpretation Pierre will continue to play a big role in the Dodgers road to the World Series this season. Whether its coming off the bench or starting in the outfield to give Manny, Andre Either, and Matt Kemp rest. He is one of the main ingredients to the Dodgers winning season, and Pierre will continue his successful season even when Manny returns on the third.