FIXED Each day in camp, new center fielder Juan Pierre "hits 400 balls in the cage before anyone else even gets here," says third base coach Rich Donnelly. "Eddie Murray asked me, 'Does he ever go home?' " He'll go home a lot for the Dodgers this year. Pierre is the No. 2 hitter, a perfect complement to speedy leadoff man Rafael Furcal (37 SBs, 15 HRs). Over the past six years, only Ichiro has more hits than Pierre. In the field, Pierre doesn't throw well, but he'll run down balls in center, where four Dodgers played last year. Mostly, he brings the work ethic and championship background that a World Series contender needs.

NEEDS FIXING After J.D. Drew angered LA by opting out of his deal, GM Ned Colletti missed out on signing Alfonso Soriano and Carlos Lee. The Dodgers hit the second fewest home runs (153) in the NL last year, and now they're counting on two grizzled vets, 39-year-olds Luis Gonzalez and Jeff Kent, to provide added pop -- even though they combined for only 29 homers in '06. LA had better hope for a power surge from kids Wilson Betemit and Andre Ethier.

MIDSEASON FIX Since Adrian Beltre left after '04, Dodgers third basemen have hit just 30 homers. Minor league third baseman Andy LaRoche (Adam's little bro) has jacked 49 since then.
-- Tim Kurkjian