The Dodgers today exercised their $2 million option for 2011 on outfielder Scott Podsednik, who was acquired by general manager Ned Colletti in the week before the trade deadline this season. The option is a mutual option, and Podsednik has 48 hours to accept the option, or he can decline, receive a $100,000 buyout, and become a free agent.
The Dodgers gave up pitcher Elisaul Pimentel and catcher Lucas May to get the speedy outfielder from the Royals on July 28. In 39 games with the Dodgers, Podsednik hit a paltry .262/.313/.336, though he battled plantar fasciitis and had his season end roughly three weeks prematurely as he dealt with his heel injury. Despite his lack of production in his brief stint as a Dodger, Podsednik is spoken of as a starter (per ESPN):
"Our thought process after watching him play for us and seeing what he added to our club was that we would like to have him back," said Dodgers GM Ned Colletti. "He obviously has versatility in the field, plus he has an added component in the speed he has.''
When asked if Podsednik could be an everday left fielder, Colletti said they would "have to wait and see. ... He was last year until he got hurt."
Colletti has spoken of acquiring a big bat this offseason, but if Podsednik is seen as an everyday player, getting a big bat will likely mean displacing an entrenched regular, such as catcher Russell Martin, first baseman James Loney, or third baseman Casey Blake. Martin and Loney are both arbitration eligible and are potential non-tender candidates, although Martin is far more likely to be non-tendered because of the uncertain status of his hip injury, and club will likely not want to give him a raise on his $5.05 million salary from last season. Blake is under contract through 2011, with a $6 million club option for 2012.
Podsednik turns 35 in March, and has played for six different teams in parts of 10 MLB seasons. He was an All-Star in 2005 with the White Sox, and hit a game-winning home run in Game 2 of the 2005 World Series.
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