Pierre 5 year 45 mil
Gary 5 year 50 mil-has more power,gold glove defence,just better.

Have you actually looked at the career stats of both players? Mathews has stunk up baseball his entire career. Then suddenly in a free agent year at the age of 32 pulls a single good season out. Anybody fool enough to sign Mathews will regret it. Pierre on the other hand isn't likely to make the hall of fame but he gives you good solid all round play. If Pierre would learn how to take a walk he'd actually be a star. The only real knock against him is his low OBP.

Defensively the Gold gloves awards are a joke. Pierre has a more consistant FP than Mathews. Pierre has more range in my opinion but a weaker arm though Pierre is as good or better in the assists dept as Mathews. Still neither are anything special defensively.

The real question was if Eithier can do the job defensively in Center why would the Dodgers even look for a CF? Why not look for corner outfielders instead?

Yes and No. Yes they would fill in a position they need with the better player, and No that's 5 mil they can use to sign some1 else.

He has family ties in L.A. but Gary Mathews wanted to stay in the American League in the West division. I personally would take Mathews over Pierre any day of the week. I love his "D".

No, Pierre at least has been a consistant average player where as Matthews Jr. really has only had 1 decent year. Pierre had more hits last year - 204 than anyone in baseball - but he as an arm like a 5 year old girl. Neither of them deserve near that kind of $$

I think one thing that may have swayed the Dodgers is that Pierre is a proven commodity - not a good one, but a proven one nonetheless. You know that he's going to be a below-average leadoff guy with speed, and a guy who covers ground but can't throw.

Matthews seems like the better option, but I think teams are wary of signing a guy who just had a career year at age 32. Before last season, he'd never hit better than .275, and he'd really bounced around. My guess is that some teams were worried about whether he could repeat the success of 2006, and were especially wary of signing him to a contract that would cover him until age 37.

Personally, I hate the Pierre deal. Still, I'd hesitate to give Matthews five years based on one good season. I guess desperate teams, though, will take desperate measures.

I believe so. GMJ is the real deal, despite only proving it for one full season. His hitting has REALLY blossomed under the tutelage of Rudy Jaramillo, and his fielding was worthy of a gold glove award, imho. I'm probably biased because I am a Rangers fan but after watching about half of their games last season, I don't see how Pierre will match GMJ's level if GMJ continues to excel. It saddens me that he not only signed with another team, but with a hated division rival.

Pierre is faster, and hits better for average. He fills a need nicely.

Matthews has a good glove, but is 32 and hits in the .240s.

The Angels really need a real bat to protect Vlad. This is not going to do that. He's just a younger replacement for the likes of Steve Finley. Where is Manny Ramirez, damn it!?

Pierre is a good fit for the Dodgers, and at a better price point.

No. Pierre is the lead off hitter they need and were looking for. He is always a threat when on base, and he rattles pitchers. He was a great choice.

Chow!!

The Dodgers needed table setters at the top of the order.

Pierre is a leadoff hitter.
Matthews is not a leadoff hitter.

Pierre may not be the best leadoff hitter available by free agency or trades though.

If you are comparing leadoff hitters you need to measure how often they get on base and how many total bases they get including all hits, walks and stolen bases. Pierre gets more than 200 hits per year but almost never walks and then steals 50+ bases.

Other free agents like Roberts hit for average, walk fairly often, and steal 40+ bases.

Pierre played all 162 games and didn't make an error. he's faster, but Matthews has more power.