Scott Podsednik declined his side of his mutual option with the Dodgers and will hit free agency. The Dodgers exercised their side of the option for $2MM two days ago, but Podsednik topped 525 plate appearances this year, so his contract gave him the choice between a $2MM salary or free agency.
Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times reported (on Twitter) that Podsednik turned down his side of the option and MLB.com's Ken Gurnick reported on Twitter that the Dodgers picked up theirs.
Podsednik, 35 in March, hit .297/.342/.382 in 595 plate appearances for the Royals and Dodgers this year. He spent most of his time in left field, tallying 1078.6 innings there. Given the weak free agent market for left fielders after Carl Crawford, it's not surprising that Podsednik chose free agency.
He
Will
Void
To play LF or off the bench?
He’s journeyman outfielder nearing the twilight of his career… with the guarantee to earn next season about as much as he’s earned in any year of his career to date. I say he’s not a lock to void that option. He’d sure look and feel like a fool if he ended up with less, which is a distinct possibility.
Would he be serviceable in right field? I haven’t seen much of Podsednik, but the Cardinals could use a decent average and speed in the lineup. Holliday has said before he would be willing to switch to right, but it would seem like too much of a risk just to bring in Podsednik.
Not if you value defense. Scotty Pods makes Juan Pierre look like he has a rocket arm and Pods is not exactly going to get too many votes for the Golden Glove. He has some range, but he got some awful jumps the times I saw him play. Might be better off with resigning Winn. At least he can still go get the ball and his arm is still decent.
He used to play center, so I’d say he could make the switch. UZR rates his defense as just okay over his career.
Decent average doesn’t mean anything when the guy has no power. When a hitter has no power, you have to look at his OBP. .342 isn’t too bad, but when you factor in poor arm and defense, I’d stay away from him.
Would he be serviceable in right field? I haven’t seen much of Podsednik, but the Cardinals could use a decent average and speed in the lineup. Holliday has said before he would be willing to switch to right, but it would seem like too much of a risk just to bring in Podsednik.
I am hedging that Scotty Pods passes on the sure thing and hopes someone will overpay for him. The Giants were interested at the deadline and with the likelihood that both Ross and Burrell are gone, I can see the Giants taking a shot at him. Not really shocked that Ned picked up the option, it was a bad move, but Ned will never let production and statistics get in the way of justifying a bad move by making an even worse move. I am getting the same feeling that he will offer Theriot a contract because admitting he screwed the pooch is not in Ned’s mindset.
Why would the Giants lose Ross? He’s still arbitration eligible.
I am hedging that Scotty Pods passes on the sure thing and hopes someone will overpay for him. The Giants were interested at the deadline and with the likelihood that both Ross and Burrell are gone, I can see the Giants taking a shot at him. Not really shocked that Ned picked up the option, it was a bad move, but Ned will never let production and statistics get in the way of justifying a bad move by making an even worse move. I am getting the same feeling that he will offer Theriot a contract because admitting he screwed the pooch is not in Ned’s mindset.
He’ll absolutely void, and he should. I hope the Phillies take a long look at him after they lose Werth.
Pods is garbage. Why would he void? Hes guaranteed more than 2 million on the open market?
With the lack of outfielders this offseason. Yes.
Sorry I disagree with that he is not garbage with the numbers he posted there are several teams looking for potential leadoff guys and his on base was not terrible and his batting average was pretty decent. This might be someone the Reds go after to lead off and share time with Johnny Gomes in LF. Its not the best choice out there but it is something I bet the Reds will consider.
He should void. he can earn more money, with the weak LF lcass and everything, and even if his defense i sub-par he still gives you speed, versatility, and a great clubhouse presence.
He should void. he can earn more money, with the weak LF lcass and everything, and even if his defense i sub-par he still gives you speed, versatility, and a great clubhouse presence.
Clubhouse presence??? F*ck performance, we need more of that to win games. Some gritty veteran presence and no talent. Hell yes!
Wait, the Dodgers had plenty of that, Theriot, Anderson, Pods… we didn’t win a damn thing.
Pods is horrible in OF – 2M is a gift – He is saying “where do I sign”
I was gonna agree, but now I see he’s declined. Still, he’s not good. Crazy to turn down $2MM. I think you may have misinterpreted my sarcasm.
Clubhouse presence??? F*ck performance, we need more of that to win games. Some gritty veteran presence and no talent. Hell yes!
Wait, the Dodgers had plenty of that, Theriot, Anderson, Pods… we didn’t win a damn thing.
I get it. Podsednik is a bum not worth ten cents and he should void his option because he can easily earn more then $2 million. Never let it be said that baseball fans can agree on anything.
Exactly. Any kind of performance metric shows him to be at best slightly below average – but there are plenty of GMs like Ned Colletti out there who value his grittyheartyspeediness over things like… ya know… performance.
I get it. Podsednik is a bum not worth ten cents and he should void his option because he can easily earn more then $2 million. Never let it be said that baseball fans can agree on anything.
OH VOMITY-PUKEYNESS!!!!!!!!!
What does this even mean?
OH VOMITY-PUKEYNESS!!!!!!!!!
He’s not going to void. His agent would be utterly stupid to advise him to void the option.
Your baseball skills are lacking, sir.
What would’ve happened if the White Sox had not signed him to a minor leauge deal in April ’09? He completely revived his career.
What about making a run at jayson werth
All the Dodgers money went to lawyers, there is no money for type A free agents. The Dodgers did announce a price increase of there Dodger dogs,You know those mouth watering goodies made from hoofs, rectums, and other bi parts. Eastern most in flavor, western most in freshness. They now will grill them for you. That is the big off season change.
Funny thing with Werth is that Dodger money could have gone to Werth’s lawyers had he decided to sue LA’s medical staff for the bungled handling of the broken wrist (he almost did). Can’t see Werth going back to LA.
Ha. He won’t come back here. Plus, big $ FA deals rarely work out for the Dodgers.
A marginally productive Podsednik asks while pondering option, “Is there a “collusion” spot on a Ouija board”?
He must have an awful agent
The man absolutely cannot run the bases.
I love scotty pods.
I hope as a friend – finance can’t be his strong suit
Horrible on Podsednik’s side. He’ll most likely be offered arbitration, and he’ll declined. If he accepts, he’ll make probably $2.5 million. Dodgers will get him for $2.5 million or a draft pick. Overall, offering him arbitration would be smart on Dodgers side. No way someone gives him more than $2 million plus a draft pick for him.
Common misconception, nobody “gives up” a draft pick for a Type B free agent. The team that offered arbitration would be given a pick in the compensation round by MLB.
Honest mistake. I usually know that, but my mind went blank.
Podsednik is a type B free agent. You only have to give up a draft pick on players who are type As and are offered arbitration. Losing type Bs are compinsated by gaining a sandwich pick that is a new pick altogether, not one from any other team.
If they do offer arbitration that ends up being worth 2.5 million then wouldn’t pods “horrible” decision have just netted him half of a million dollars. I mean I know he is a pro athlete, but it still has to be nice to get an extra half a million dollars. I would have taken the sure thing, but if he ends up getting 2.5 good for him
what other options do the dodgers have if he isnt in lf? travyon robinson??
Huge gamble in my opinion. I don’t think he gets $2 million guaranteed. Podsednik is a 4th outfielder at this point in his career with no power and an average glove. He’s not the final piece a contender needs and he’s not a long term solution for any one. Turning down the $2 million suggests either an ego out of control or an agent with unrealistic expectations.
Good, 2 million was too much.
This is what’s going to happen. Every other FA left fielder will be off the market and other teams will scramble for the bottom of the barrel guys(i.e. Pods) and they will over pay him over 2 years.
.297 5 hrs and 30 stolen bases is pretty decent if you ask me. If I was him I’d learn to play 2nd base, lol. His stats after he got to the royals are hilarious= in 390 at bats he hit .310 with 5 hrs and 30 steals which seems pretty decent, BUT he only hit 8 doubles, he did hit 6 triples though. That is pretty funny do me. A single or nothing, unless a ball sneaks by someone and then it is a triple.
.310 with 30 steals in 390 at bats is “pretty decent”?
It is if he puts up his below average .330 wOBA with that slash line.
Not many left-handed throwing 2B…
I say he goes to Atlanta, Arizona, or San Francisco. A 1-2 of Podsednik and Stephen Drew would produce a lot of triples.
I would love to have Scott back in KC. He was amazing as a leadoff hitter at Kauffman Stadium. He hits a lot of shallow singles, which is why his numbers were so much better with the Royals verses the Dodgers. He would be perfect for a team with a large stadium.
might as well bring back pierre minus the billion dollar contract he was signed to
might as well bring back pierre minus the billion dollar contract he was signed to