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Only two NL teams last season had a lower on-base percentage out of the leadoff spot than the Reds.
A free-agent leadoff man is available. He bats left-handed, and could platoon with Jonny Gomes in left field.
His name: Scott Podsednik. And yes, the Reds are interested in him, according to major-league sources.
Originally Posted by Scooter
Who needs Greinke when you can land Podsednik?
Phil Castellini puts the FUN in Trust Fund.
Well, as a platoon with Gomes, he couldn't do too much damage? Not a big fan, though.
"Imagination is more important than knowledge." -- Albert Einstein
To me, it makes a lot of sense. He's by no means great defensively, but this team has a big hole to fill at leadoff.
Last year vRHP: .300/.349/.755
Career: .283/.344/.735
Combine that with Gomes' .856 OPS vL last year (.878) career and you create yourself a nice little platoon. Then against LHP you can slide Phillips into leadoff because he rakes LHP, and you still have Heisey as a defensive replacement for whoever is in LF.
It seems to make a lot of sense to me.
I have a bad feeling that this is one of those rumors that has so much smoke behind it, it's bound to eventually come true.
Back around the time of the Taveras signing, I remember that rumor repeatedly coming up, getting squashed, repeat. And he was ultimately signed.
I'm afraid that ultimately this will end up the same.
Phil Castellini puts the FUN in Trust Fund.
Would Dusty platoon him with Gomes though?
We can't always assume that Dusty will use a player the way we would. It is the rational assumption considering CF and RF are all but locked in, but you never know with this club sometimes.
I guess I just had higher hopes for this offseason than Scott Podsednik.
Phil Castellini puts the FUN in Trust Fund.
Oh come on. I think Dusty proved last year he was more than willing to be patient with Stubbs in CF.
I think it's time to put the Dusty myths to bed.
Certainly.
These types of signings scare a guy like me though. The Lost Decade still lingers in recent memory.
Phil Castellini puts the FUN in Trust Fund.
If it gives us more OBP in front of Votto and less Gomes vs RHP, I can get behind it.
The team doesn't need to do a lot. It just needs to tweak what is in place.
I was surprised when they got Chapman last year because Walt said going into the offseason how much he liked the team that was in place and noted the pitching as a strength.
If you recall, the Reds last offseason were also VERY QUIET until they landed Chapman.
If all we need is to sure up better production while not killing our defense in left field, I don't think there is anything wrong with getting someone like Podsednik...what other comparable price players are going to be a beter fit? I don't know....are there any out there?
I guess since the report said he was looking for a raise from the 1.75 he was making last year then look in the range up to 2mil...anybody have a line on a FA, Left Hand Batting OG that would provide more potential for the leadoff spot (assumption of where he would bat on his days in the platoon)? Just curious what options are out there.
"Sometimes, it's not the sexiest moves that put you over the top," Krivsky said. "It's a series of transactions that help you get there."
Against righties, I'll take Pods over Gomes 8 days a week.
Games are won on run differential -- scoring more than your opponent. Runs are runs, scored or prevented they all count the same. Worry about scoring more and allowing fewer, not which positions contribute to which side of the equation or how "consistent" you are at your current level of performance.
I would feel better knowing that Dusty has someone else as an option for LF.I don't have a big problem with Gomes playing some but considering how Heisey fell off last year(looked completely clueless the last few months imo)and the lack of any other proven guys on the roster, we need someone like Podsednik.Gomes is the starter right now and the only thing that keeps him from playing everyday is one of the young guys tearing it up in limited playing time or another vet that Baker trust.I'm not ready to bet that one of the youngsters are ready for the big time so it would be nice to have another option.A move like this might not be a huge leap forward but it is an improvement.I'm completely ok with the teams interest here.
There is a big difference though, Pods has actually shown the ability to get on base at a decent clip a few times in his career.
I could definitely live with a Pods/Gomes platoon in left. He would likely be a lot more useful than many on this board think he would. It all depends on the price tag though. 2 million or so, then sign me up.
"Today was the byproduct of us thinking we can come back from anything." - Joey Votto after blowing a 10-1 lead and holding on for the 12-11 win on 8/25/2010.
Based on?
Gomes has a 3 year split against RH pitching of .745, which is greater than Pods. Pods has a better OBA, Gomes SL%.
Pods would be a useful OF to add to Heisey and our other 3, but he's certainly not a big upgrade over Gomes (if at all).
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