Pierre's three good games could hurt Sox in long run

Juan Pierre picked up game-winning RBIs in three consecutive games last week—but could those hits actually end up costing the Sox down the road?

Look, I'm sick of beating this dead horse. But until Dayan Viciedo is in the major leagues, I'm going to continue to wail away at this topic like it's an MMA fight.

I want to like Pierre. I really do. There's never been a bad word uttered about his clubhouse presence and work ethic, and that he "plays the game right" does count for something. But this is a results-based business. Pierre isn't delivering results, no matter what a stretch of three games show.

Unfortunately, there's not much Pierre can do save a torrid second half that'll convince me he belongs on a White Sox team that's All In. The best thing he could do? Invent a time machine and play better in the first three months of the season.

Going into Independence Day, Pierre is one of four qualified position players in baseball with a WAR of -1.0 or worse. Adam Dunn is also one of the four, although his track record lends hope despite his awful numbers this season.

For the White Sox to have the best chance at winning the division, Dunn needs to start hitting like his usual self. Ozzie Guillen's managed the situation well, continuing to run Dunn out there despite his ineptitude at the plate. The White Sox have to hope Dunn turns everything around and starts hitting—and there is some hope, no matter how abysmal Dunn's numbers are.

But there's not much hope regarding Pierre. He's had just one above-average offensive season since leaving Florida five years ago, that being in 2009 with the Dodgers. Pierre's numbers that season were indicative of a flash-in-the-pan season, with nearly all his stats in line with his career average except for BABIP.

Pierre's 2011 line would be much more acceptable if he could steal bases with any frequency. While Pierre didn't hit for much power last year—as usual—his .341 OBP and 68 stolen bases were at least acceptable. This year, Pierre doesn't get on base as much (.317 OBP) and can't advance himself to second base with the same success. He's effectively killed any offensive value by being thrown out 10 times in 21 chances on the basepaths.

Big picture, Pierre's three consecutive games with a game-winning RBI aren't too significant in a 162-game season. Obviously, those hits were key and very much appreciated, especially with Carlos Quentin and Paul Konerko scuffling.

Those three hits probably earned Pierre at least an extra month with the White Sox. If Pierre doesn't pick up those three hits, it likely would have been much easier for Kenny Williams to convince Guillen that Viciedo needs to be in Chicago instead of Pierre. Now, there's little chance Guillen will do anything but continue his staunch defense of Pierre, no matter how bad the rest of the month could potentially go.

Another month of Pierre's ineffectiveness from the No. 1 spot in the order could set the Sox's playoff hopes back a bit. We saw what happens to the White Sox this weekend when Quentin and Konerko don't hit—the team doesn't score but a run or two, if that.

Viciedo won't save the White Sox offense. But there's a better-than-good chance he would improve it by replacing Pierre. Unfortunately, I don't think that'll happen any time soon.

Note: I've heard the argument against WAR that it doesn't take into account games actually won by a player, with Brent Lillibridge's defensive heroics against New York and Oakland cited as examples. The same could be said about Pierre's game-winning hits. But I'm of the belief that one single player rarely is responsible for a victory—I suppose a starter who throws a shutout would be an example, assuming every ball in play was routine for his fielders.

In the case of Pierre's hits, each gave the Sox the lead. But the reason why I don't feel WAR is inaccurate in not bringing those into the equation is because the Sox had numerous chances to take a lead earlier in the game. Pierre's game-winning hit against the Cubs in Saturday's 1-0 game was only game-winning because of the Sox's offensive ineptitude; had somebody belted a home run earlier, that hit doesn't stand as a game-winner. Plus, it wasn't all Pierre's doing—somebody had to get on base ahead of him for it to happen.

And if that's not convincing, how about mentioning the two games Pierre "lost" for the Sox early in April by botching fly balls? Or all the other times Pierre floundered in close games, like his April 17 0-5 showing in a loss to Los Angeles or June 24's 0-6 performance in an extra-inning loss to Washington? It's better to go context-neutral, because those are arguments that'll blow back up in your face.

Comments

[JRFegan]

Juan Pierre leads all of baseball in outs made. The 2nd place guy is 6 outs behind, and his name is Dan Uggla.

[Kevin]

JJ, I have no problem finding unfair reasons to dump on Pierre if it leads to him being DFA'd. My cheap excuse is that he's diffident, aloof and borderline rude to autograph-seekers. At least he was to me and my son at a game in Arlington in May. Adam Dunn, on the other hand (bless his heart) was a real gentleman and signed autographs till he ran out of fans! Dump on Pierre as long as you like, for any reason you want, as long as it helps us get rid of this stinking corpse of a ballplayer.

[Crazy Uncle Dave]

Does Pierre have to invent the time machine? I mean can't somebody else invent the time machine and then put him on it? That way he can concentrate on playing better and not have to worry about quantum mechanics and such things.

[JJ -- White Sox Beerleaguer]

Dave: maybe that's why the Sox called up Hector Santiago -- because he's good with quantam mechanics and knows his way around a flux capacitor.

Kevin: I'll never fault a player for his attitudes toward autograph-seekers; I can totally understand how that would wear on a guy after over a decade of being a professional ballplayer. But maybe he should be better about it to curry some good favor with the fans in case the masses turn on him.

James: I'm sorry, I missed that. Is his name Dan Uggla, or DAAAAAAAAAAN! ......... UGGLA!

[Buford]

On June 30th against Colorado, Juan Pierre stole his first base since June 1st. The question is "Why?'

It was the 7th inning and the Sox were losing 4-2 with Pierre on 2nd base and Dunn batting with 2 outs. In this situation, what purpose is served by Pierre stealing 3rd base? Answer: None

No player "who plays the game the right way" does something this stupid. In addition to your points, Pierre's "aggressiveness" will eventually hurt the Sox as he "tries to make things happen" with his declining speed.

[I'm still not sure whether I'm more upset with Pierre or the Sox announcers for not calling out Pierre for his base-running blunder. Homer Hawk I understand, but Stone seems to be muzzling himself when you compare his Sox analysis versus his forthright and outspoken analysis with the Cubs.]

If Pierre can always get hittable pitches like he did from Randy Wells (88 mph fastball) and Clayton Mortenson (87 mph fastball) and Matt Garza (86 mph breaking ball) to win games, then our problems are answered...as long as no balls are hit to him in LF and he never tries to steal a base again.

BTW, why was Garza trying to fool a slap hitter with a breaking ball when his 95+ mph fastball high in the strike zone could never be put in play by Pierre?

Stupidity truly is the great equalizer.

[Kevin]

I only fault a player with a negative attitude towards fans when his arrogance is in inverse proportion to his contribution to the team's success. Q! is the epitome of aloofness, and he's earned the right. Pierre doesn't have the stats to get away with acting like God's little brother. I'm sick to death of people defending his clubhouse presence, his work ethic, or his being the first to the stadium. Lots of Pierres and Kotsays have those virtues: let them play for the Royals or Astros.

[Steve from Rockford]

A very disturbing sign is Ozzie's talk of Pierre being the leader of the team. Essentially stating that he is loved by everyone on the team and getting rid of him could very well "lose the team". I do not understand how Juan Pierre can come in and become the "leader of the team" when you have long time Sox like Paulie, Mark and AJ (yeah I am on a first name basis)...

While I have no doubt that he is well liked by the players, Ozzie should remember this is the majors and not little league. The most important thing to do is win, not worry about Juan Pierre's feelings.

The White Sox will not draw in the second half of the season if this poor play continues. You would think that the organization would realize this, but it appears that they do not. You draw people by winning games. You win games by putting the best team on the field. Until they do this, they are not going to inspire me to drive 2 hours each way to see them and I usually do this many times a year because I love the White Sox.