DODGERS SIGN PIERRE TO DEAL WILL PLAY CENTER FIELD, MIGHT BE LEADOFF HITTER.

Byline: RICH HAMMOND Staff Writer

The Dodgers now have hitters to fill out the top two spots in their batting order, but it's not certain how the lineup card will actually look on Opening Day in April.

Juan Pierre signed a five-year, $44-million contract Wednesday. Pierre, 29, will replace Kenny Lofton, both in center field and near the top of the order, most likely in the leadoff spot.

But that's no sure thing. General manager Ned Colletti said that decision would be left to manager Grady Little, in a nod to the fact that the Dodgers already have a veteran leadoff hitter in Rafael Furcal.

``It really doesn't matter,'' Pierre said. ``I've hit leadoff most of my career. When I started in Florida, Luis Castillo hit leadoff and I was second and I didn't have a problem. ... I'm probably more comfortable hitting leadoff, because that's all I've done, but it's no problem.''

Pierre led the National League in hits last season with 204 with the Cubs, but he had just eight more hits than Furcal and had a lower batting average (.292 to .300) and on-base percentage (.330 to .369).

The difference is speed. Furcal is certainly no slug -- he's had 46 and 37 stolen bases in the past twoseasons -- but Pierre has topped 50 stolen bases in three of the past four seasons, including 58 last year.

Pierre has a career .303 average and won a World Series as Florida's center fielder in 2003. He will make $7.5 million in 2007, $8 million in 2008, $10 million in 2009 and 2010 and $8.5 million in 2011.

``Juan's ability to hit, plus his speed, make him a perfect catalyst for our lineup,'' Colletti said. ``I've long admired how he plays the game and how much havoc he can wreak, especially offensively.''

Pierre has topped 200 hits fourtimes in his six full major-league seasons, and his 1,182 hits since 2001 are the most of any major-leaguer except Seattle's Ichiro Suzuki. Pierre is also durable, as he appeared in 162games in each of the past four seasons, and didn't commit an error in center field last season.

The signing of Pierre -- Colletti also spoke to the agent of Gary Matthews Jr., who signed with the Angels on Wednesday -- solidified the top of the order but resolved only one of the team's offseason issues.

It is presumed that Nomar Garciaparra will hit third and Jeff Kent fourth, but the team still lacks a big bat to replace J.D. Drew.

Colletti reiterated Wednesday that a trade could fill that hole, but said Pierre's signing was part of his plan to build the team much as he did last winter, with pitching, speed and defense.

``The power bat is probably off the market,'' Colletti said. ``There's another hitter or two I probably have some interest in. We'll look for pitching for a while. It's something I'd like to get done.''

In addition to the possibility of retaining Greg Maddux, the Dodgers are also believed to have interest in Jason Schmidt and Barry Zito, considered the top two free-agent starters this offseason.

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Juan Pierre led the National League in hits last season with 204 while playing for the Chicago Cubs. He also stole 58 bases.

Stephen Green/Associated Press