BASEBALL ROUNDUP News and notes

Dogders: With power in short supply on the free agency front, the Los Angeles Dodgers went for speed. Juan Pierre and the Dodgers finalized a 44 million, five-year contract Wednesday, giving the club another dangerous threat at the top of the lineup to go with Rafael Furcal. "Juan's ability to hit combined with his speed make him a perfect catalyst for our lineup," general manager Ned Colletti said. "I've long admired how he plays the game. We're thrilled he's here, he's a good man, he's going to be a great player for us -- a great addition." The 29-year-old Pierre hit .292 with 204 hits, 58 stolen bases, three homers and 40 RBIs for the Chicago Cubs last season. Previously, the left handed-hitting center fielder played two full seasons and part of another with the Colorado Rockies and three years with the Florida Marlins. Pierre has a .303 career batting average and 325 stolen bases. He finished first or second in the NL in stolen bases in each of the past six seasons, and was the most difficult player in the league to strike out in five of the last six years. Pierre has 1,182 hits since 2001 -- the second-highest total in the majors behind Seattle's Ichiro Suzuki. "I'm just happy to be part of a storied franchise -- a playoff-caliber team," Pierre said during a conference call from his parents' home in Alexandria, La. "Hopefully I can be another piece of the puzzle to help them win the World Series. They're a winning team, and most of the guys they had last year are coming back. I think there's a good mixture as far as the young and old. I felt that it was the right spot for me." Pierre will earn 7.5 million next season, 8 million in 2008, 10 million each in 2009 and 2010, and 8.5 million in 2011. He figures to bat first or second, with Furcal hitting first, second or third. "Me and Furcal have been going at it since low A in the backwoods of Carolina," Pierre said. "I've hit leadoff most of my career. It doesn't matter, wherever I can fit in. I'd probably be most comfortable hitting leadoff because that's all I've ever done." Pierre has played in 162 games in each of the past four years. He ranked second in the majors in bunt hits each of the past four seasons after being the leader in 2001 and 2002. "Juan Pierre brings us a dimension of offense and speed to high degree," Colletti said. "He gets on base a lot, a lot of hits. Stolen bases are obvious."
Angels: Gary Matthews Jr. had a tough decision, choosing between the Los Angeles Angels and San Francisco Giants. Family won out. Matthews, whose 7-year-old son lives in nearby Santa Monica, reached a preliminary agreement Wednesday on a 50 million, five-year contract with the Angels following a career year with the Texas Rangers. "You spend so much time away from your family when you play baseball, and no amount of money can make up for that," Matthews told The Associated Press while driving to San Jose for Thanksgiving. Matthews' parents also live in Southern California. His father, known as "Sarge," also was a big-league outfielder, beginning his with the Giants. The younger Matthews has been called "Little Sarge."
Associated Press
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