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Tuesday, April 14, 2009

MLB: Speedster Podsednik returns to White Sox

Noooooo! Even 95-year old Kevin McCarthy is fleeing the Pods!

One of the many heroes from the White Sox 2005 World Series title run has returned to the organization, with Scott Podsednik and the team agreeing to a Minor League contract on Tuesday.

...Although Podsednik will report to Triple-A Charlotte, the veteran could become a big-league replacement in center field during Dewayne Wise’s absence if Brian Anderson and Jerry Owens can’t fill the void. Podsednik, who spent last year with the Rockies before being let go at the end of Spring Training last month, will play center for the Knights.

“It’s nice,” said White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen of bringing back Podsednik. “It’s something to back up something here if it goes wrong or if it doesn’t go the way we want to. Wise is going to be out for a little while, but hopefully the guys we put there are playing well.

“I think it’s a good acquisition. It’s good news. I think a lot of his teammates wanted it. A couple of guys came to me and said that right away. We’ll see what happens.”

Repoz Posted: April 14, 2009 at 04:38 PM | 34 comment(s)
Related News: General, Chi White Sox

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1. Hang down your head, Tom Foley Posted: April 14, 2009 at 03:45 PM (#3138105)

Damn it. Can't we just sign Frank Thomas and put him in center?

2. Dewey, Local Boy and Soupuss Posted: April 14, 2009 at 03:50 PM (#3138118)

Boy, the White Sox are just going to play every horrible option before they give Brian Anderson a real shot, aren't they?

3. Dr. Leo Spaceman Posted: April 14, 2009 at 03:51 PM (#3138123)

ew, gross.

4. Crispix Attacks is in the best shape of his life. Posted: April 14, 2009 at 03:54 PM (#3138129)

Is he still a speedster? What if they said "Speedster Davey Lopes joins White Sox as bench coach"?

5. Craig K Posted: April 14, 2009 at 03:55 PM (#3138131)

Hey, Jose Oquendo drew a walk in an exhibition game last week. Sign him up, too!

6. JPWF13

Posted: April 14, 2009 at 04:10 PM (#3138153)

Looking at POds' career, 2003 just stands out, completely absurd-
Pod played further over his head in 2003 than Erstad did in 2000 or Beltre did during his walk year, or Norm Cash did in 1961.

His minor league numbers were poor, basically they said he was a .250/.320/.360 guy- which aside from 2003 he is.

How often does a hitter like Pods put up 600 PAs like he did in 2003?
If he had his usual year in 2003 does he even have a career? Or is he a punchline like Tyner?

7. Herschel Pinkus Yerucham Shmoikel Krustofsky Posted: April 14, 2009 at 04:17 PM (#3138164)

1. That is way up there on my "unintentional comedy fielding dreams" wish list. Though, come to think of it, it's pretty intentional comedy if you play The Big Hurt in CF.

Others?
C - Edwar Ramirez/Tim Lincecum/Brandon Fahey
1B - David Eckstein
2B - Randy Johnson
SS - David Ortiz

I can't think of a comical 3b.

EDIT: Jeter at 3B for the Yankees. lulz

8. Jimmy P Posted: April 14, 2009 at 04:26 PM (#3138179)

Boy, the White Sox are just going to play every horrible option before they give Brian Anderson a real shot, aren't they?

They are never giving Anderson a real shot. Just admit it.

They seem determined to run every player that is below replacement level through CF.

9. Obama Bomaye Posted: April 14, 2009 at 04:29 PM (#3138182)

I seem to recall Anderson getting a real shot, and sucking. He has 700 PA of sucking. He has 700 PA of AAA performance which probably equates to a little better than sucking. He's 27. WTF?

10. Dewey, Local Boy and Soupuss Posted: April 14, 2009 at 04:30 PM (#3138183)

They are never giving Anderson a real shot. Just admit it.

Oh, I admit it. It's just amazing to watch how much they'll contort themselves to make sure that Anderson doesn't get that shot.

It could be down to Anderson or a three-year-old girl, and they'd be ordering a Dora the Explorer outfielder's glove.

11. Jack Keefe Posted: April 14, 2009 at 04:34 PM (#3138191)

Well Al they are all up set because Scott Poinsettia who is our home run hitting hero you may recall from the World Serious of Ought Five is back with the Sox and Brian Ampersand who has hit about .220 for his whole life time is on the skids and they say Poinsettia is Replacement Level. Well what of it I am Replacement Level too. Ozzie Guillen says that you should always keep around several players who are Replacement Level because what if you need Replacements. Also this is a way of saying to our Big Stars like Mark Burly and German Die There but for the Grace of God Go You. Keefe said Ozzie Guillen the other day I like you because you have certain limitations as a Ball Player. I am going to keep you in our Bull Pen as what the Ancients used to call a Memento Murray.

12. Jason Kendall's #6,530,420,771 fan (AS) Posted: April 14, 2009 at 04:36 PM (#3138194)

I can't think of a comical 3b.

Jim Abbott?

What, too soon?

13. Dewey, Local Boy and Soupuss Posted: April 14, 2009 at 04:39 PM (#3138197)

I seem to recall Anderson getting a real shot, and sucking. He has 700 PA of sucking. He has 700 PA of AAA performance which probably equates to a little better than sucking. He's 27. WTF?

(1) Anderson has only had really a half-season of regular play.

(2) None of the other guys the Sox have trotted out there can hit, either, and at least Anderson can catch the ball.

Seriously, put Anderson out there every day, bat him ninth, and treat whatever he gives you with the bat as a bonus. There aren't any center fielders who can both hit and play defense available.

14. Crispix Attacks is in the best shape of his life. Posted: April 14, 2009 at 04:41 PM (#3138200)

C - Edwar Ramirez/Tim Lincecum/Brandon Fahey
1B - David Eckstein
2B - Randy Johnson
SS - David Ortiz

Move Randy Johnson to 3B.

Jim Abbott?

Excellent idea.

How about this:
C - Julian Tavarez
1B - Juan Pierre
2B - Travis Hafner
SS - David Ortiz
3B - Randy Johnson
LF - Edwar Ramirez
CF - Bengie Molina
RF - Tim Lincecum

Just imagine being the hitter and looking out at that. And then thinking "Who's the catcher?" and looking down and going AAAHHHH!

15. Hang down your head, Tom Foley Posted: April 14, 2009 at 04:43 PM (#3138202)

I can't think of a comical 3b.

Jim Abbott?

What, too soon?

I was thinking Pete Gray.

Pete Gray
Bats: Left , Throws: Left , Fields Left as well

Also, Manny is potentially more comical than anyone in left.

16. Jimmy P Posted: April 14, 2009 at 04:47 PM (#3138210)

(1) Anderson has only had really a half-season of regular play.

(2) None of the other guys the Sox have trotted out there can hit, either, and at least Anderson can catch the ball.

Seriously, put Anderson out there every day, bat him ninth, and treat whatever he gives you with the bat as a bonus. There aren't any center fielders who can both hit and play defense available.

Exactly. We aren't saying Anderson's an All-Star, but he's the best option they have. When the other options are Jerry Owens, DeWayne Wise, and Scotty Pods, you'd be wanting Brian Anderson to get 600 PAs, too. They aren't just bringing in mediocre players, they're bringing in terrible players.

17. Dewey, Local Boy and Soupuss Posted: April 14, 2009 at 05:03 PM (#3138232)

They aren't just bringing in mediocre players, they're bringing in terrible players.

To put things in perspective, I believe all three players (Wise, Owens, Podsednik) have cleared irrevocable waivers within the past year, despite not having burdensome contracts.

18. user Posted: April 14, 2009 at 05:03 PM (#3138234)

I can't think of a comical 3b.

A Lineup Graphic yesterday tried to tell me Jack Cust was playing 3B.

19. SouthSideRyan Posted: April 14, 2009 at 05:05 PM (#3138240)

How about this:
C - Julian Tavarez
1B - Juan Pierre
2B - Travis Hafner
SS - David Ortiz
3B - Randy Johnson
LF - Edwar Ramirez
CF - Bengie Molina
RF - Tim Lincecum

If you're going for horrifying, why are you covering up Tavarez's face?

20. Kiko Sakata

Posted: April 14, 2009 at 05:14 PM (#3138257)

Exactly. We aren't saying Anderson's an All-Star, but he's the best option they have. When the other options are Jerry Owens, DeWayne Wise, and Scotty Pods, you'd be wanting Brian Anderson to get 600 PAs, too. They aren't just bringing in mediocre players, they're bringing in terrible players.

They signed Pods to a minor-league contract and assigned him to Charlotte. Aren't you over-reacting maybe just a bit? So far, the apparent ranking of White Sox centerfielders is Wise, Anderson, Owens, Pods. With Wise hurt, is there any real evidence that Anderson isn't getting first shot at the job? If they liked Jerry Owens or Scott Podsednik more than Anderson, wouldn't Anderson have been the one to start the season in Charlotte?

21. Stately, Plump Buck Mulligan Posted: April 14, 2009 at 05:15 PM (#3138259)

We aren't saying Anderson's an All-Star, but he's the best option they have. When the other options are Jerry Owens, DeWayne Wise, and Scotty Pods, you'd be wanting Brian Anderson to get 600 PAs, too. They aren't just bringing in mediocre players, they're bringing in terrible players.

I have to think the Anderson hatred comes from Ozzie, but the bigger problem is that Kenny did nothing in the offseason to improve center field. If Ozzie isn't going to think seriously about playing Anderson full-time (who can't seem to hit in the majors but at least brings some D), then Kenny needs to find someone else who can handle the position. And he has to know that Owens and Wise can't do the job -- they couldn't at the end of '08, and I can't imagine what might have changed since then.

Since Aaron Rowand left after '05, here's what White Sox center fielders have done:

2006: .240/.302/.370

2007: .247/.308/.320

2008: .238/.319/.415

22. Crispix Attacks is in the best shape of his life. Posted: April 14, 2009 at 05:18 PM (#3138263)

I would like to amend the comedy fielding lineup to put Ronnie Belliard at pitcher.

23. Hang down your head, Tom Foley Posted: April 14, 2009 at 05:25 PM (#3138270)

Once again, I miss Rudy Law. I'm also kind of pining for Dave Gallagher.

24. Dingbat Charlie

Posted: April 14, 2009 at 05:29 PM (#3138273)

Adam Eaton at pitcher. oh wait..

25. Tike Redman's Shattered Dreams (shayborg) Posted: April 14, 2009 at 05:32 PM (#3138277)

Sabathia would be a hilarious outfielder.

26. 6 - 4 - 3 Posted: April 14, 2009 at 05:59 PM (#3138301)

Since Aaron Rowand left after '05, here's what White Sox center fielders have done:

As a Giant fan, I would gladly trade Aaron Rowand and the $48M/4yr left on his contract for Brian Anderson. Interested?

27. Tripon Posted: April 14, 2009 at 06:01 PM (#3138306)

As a Giant fan, I would gladly trade Aaron Rowand and the $48M/4yr left on his contract for Brian Anderson. Interested?

I'll trade you Juan Pierre for Matt Cain.

28. Jimmy P Posted: April 14, 2009 at 06:01 PM (#3138307)

They signed Pods to a minor-league contract and assigned him to Charlotte. Aren't you over-reacting maybe just a bit?

No. If you haven't followed, the White Sox voluntarily started (and had him lead off for two games) DeWayne Wise. At this point, White Sox fans believe that Kenny and Ozzie will go dig Mickey Mantle up and start him.

29. bond1 Posted: April 14, 2009 at 06:33 PM (#3138320)

Pods has a hot wife though -Miss July 98.

30. PH Posted: April 14, 2009 at 06:50 PM (#3138329)

YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAH!

31. The Mighty Quintana Posted: April 14, 2009 at 07:45 PM (#3138357)

Trying to call up a mental picture of Dave Gallagher, but all I'm getting is Dan Gladden! (ahhh well, the booze must've rotted the section of my brain that could distinguish white, mid-80's centerfielders)

32. Eric P. Posted: April 14, 2009 at 07:49 PM (#3138361)

CF: Ray King

33. Esmailyn Gonzalez Sr. Posted: April 14, 2009 at 11:26 PM (#3138592)

Johnny Damon at P?

34. Esmailyn Gonzalez Sr. Posted: April 14, 2009 at 11:29 PM (#3138594)

Just imagine being the hitter and looking out at that. And then thinking "Who's the catcher?" and looking down and going AAAHHHH!

James Carville?

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MLB: Speedster Podsednik returns to White Sox

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