Scott Podsednik

[PaulRigdon]

http://blogs.denverpost.com/rockies/2009/04/01/pods-will-be-released-rox-explore-deals-for-gaudin-hammel/

 

 

 

Podsednik spoke to his agent this morning, and is hopeful than a big league opportunity will emerge. Milwaukee, where Podsednik once starred for general manager Doug Melvin, has expressed interest.

"I still believe I can play in the big leagues,'' Podsednik said.

 

 

 

[patrickgpe]

i'd rather have him as a backup OF than Gwynn or Duffy. He would be a solid backup to Cam and Nelson can play the corners. Seems good to me.

 

EDIT: original link does not work, try this one.

http://blogs.denverpost.c...deals-for-gaudin-hammel/

[JohnBriggs12]

Pods is certainly a more proven performer than Gwynn and bringing him back solves the "organizational depth" issue as they would still be able to send down Duffy who really needs to play after missing most of 2008.

[TheCrew07]

Just because he can play the corners doesn't mean he should. If there was an extended DL stint in either spot I would hope that Gillespie or Cain would get serious consideration over a "vet" like Pods. I wouldn't be opposed to him playing CF but I'd probably rather slide Hart over and call up Gillespie anyway.

[TuesdaysWithRillo]

I hope this is just a rumor. There's no point in signing Pods when we already have 2 of the same player already on our roster. Pods would probably cost more money too.

[3Putt]

I recall he had a weak arm and couldn't go back on balls hit over his head. That forced him to play deep and balls landed in front of him. I don't like Gwynn but I don't see how Podsednik is much better. I'd have to go with Duffy if those are our 3 choices.

[DHonks]

Scotty Po is a much better base-stealer than Gwynn and would be preferable. However, I have always liked Duffy.

[yoyomayoma]

go with Catalanatto. Just my preference.

[brwrsfan]

I'm in on the Catalanatto vote as well.

[bjkrautk]

I think it depends on what you need your 5th OF to do.

 

Defensive replacement: Gwynn. Neither one has a great arm, but Gwynn is more comfortable playing CF, as well as the corner spots.

Pinch hitter: Podsednik. Again, not that either one has been spectacular over the past 2 years, but their OBP has been roughly the same -- Pods was in the majors, Gwynn was in AAA).

Pinch runner: Push. Pods has far more experience and history in stealing bases (236/310 = 76% steal rate) than Gwynn (14/17 = 82%), but he did much of that base stealing in earlier years (12/16 in 2008; 12/17 in 2007) and is more likely to have lost a step at age 33 than Gwynn.

 

 

I guess I'd rather hope for improvement from the 26-year old than expect a decline out of the 33 year old (Pods) or the 35 year old (Cat).

[recte44]

He's a fan favorite, so there's that, I guess. Is he a better option than Duffy at this point? Maybe. Duffy's MLC, too, so he could go to the minors. Gwynn's chances of being waived to AAA improved when Jerry Owens made it through yesterday.

 

Pods is a horrible CF, though, so who would be our backup there? Hart?

[JohnBriggs12]

He's a fan favorite, so there's that, I guess. Is he a better option than Duffy at this point? Maybe. Duffy's MLC, too, so he could go to the minors. Gwynn's chances of being waived to AAA improved when Jerry Owens made it through yesterday.

 

Pods is a horrible CF, though, so who would be our backup there? Hart?

He's not a horrible CF, just not nearly as good as you'd expect for a guy with his speed. Overall probably a little below average. Hart has played just 51 games in CF his entire career. I'd give the nod to Podsednik easily.

 

Still, it's not like Duffy would be out of the organization either. If they need a CF over an extended period, they'd just bring up Duffy. One of the benefits of this would be having Duffy play everyday and staying ready. Duffy missed almost all of 08 remember and could use regular playing time.

 

I think the signing of Jason Tyner to play at AAA makes the Podsednik talk moot. It would appear that's the move Melvin decided on to ensure "organizational depth"

[Brawndo the Thirst Mutilat]

Duffy is a better hitter, better defender, and probably a more efficient base-stealer than Podsednik at this point. Gwynn is probably significantly enough better on D that I'd rather have him as well.

 

I think it's a good idea to think about defense for the 5th OF spot if Nelson is the 4th.

[GormanHarvey]

He's a pretty bad CF'er and that it based on several years ago when he was with the Brewers. I can't imagine he has gotten better with age (33). I'm not crazy about the idea of Hart playing CF, but given a little time I have no doubt he would be better than Scottie Po

 

I say we stick with Duffy. I like his defense, speed, and hustle. Reminds me a bit of a poor man's Erstad

[Brawndo the Thirst Mutilat]

Reminds me a bit of a poor man's Erstad

Erstad has always been a quite good CF defender (still is, by UZR), but for the love of all that is holy, is he ever a terrible hitter. A poor man's Erstad would be a pretty bad player in AAA. Since the Brewers are probably going to keep Duffy, let's hope he's at least an upper middle class man's Erstad.

[GormanHarvey]

Reminds me a bit of a poor man's Erstad

Erstad has always been a quite good CF defender (still is, by UZR), but for the love of all that is holy, is he ever a terrible hitter. A poor man's Erstad would be a pretty bad player in AAA. Since the Brewers are probably going to keep Duffy, let's hope he's at least an upper middle class man's Erstad.

Ok - I think you know what I was getting at though. He costs a lot less than Erstad has over most of his career. Erstad is a career .284 hitter with a career .337 OBP and that is no small sample size. I would be happy with anything like that out of Duffy combined with his solid defense.