Re-sign Dye and/or Pods?

[Balta1701]

You have to at least offer JD Arbitration, and it's always possible that after a down season, he'll consider accepting it as a 1 year deal to try to get himself closer to the 06 form before hitting the market.

 

Podsednik right now simply offers this team nothing. Even when he's able to play, he gets thrown out by Victor Martinez. I'm not yet sold on Owens as a long term solution, but right now he's a much better solution to the leadoff spot than Pods (and if he keeps hitting like he has been this month, then he could well be a long term solution).

[Harry Chappas]

I HATE SCOTT PODDEDNIK! But I realize that there is something to the argument that they win with him. I do not know what it is. I find it funny that they are playing pretty well right now and have been for the last month due to the pen being some what serviceable and having a lead-off hitter that is adequete (Owens).

 

Next year I think the Opening Day outfield will be Pods, Rowand and Dye with Owens and Erstad as platoon guys. The problem with this team was OG and KW fell in love with Erstad and rushed Pods back. If Anderson was given the CF job and he held it Erstad would have played less and been available to replace Pods by he playing a less stressful LF as oppossed to CF. This was an organizational move that blew up in their face which was compunded and more the cause of the season going down the tubes by the horrendous bullpen. The line-up's inability to score runs for the entire month of June doomed this season. Should we have been only 8 back I would think we had a chance. Why we coudn't beat the NL, I do know.

 

[Allsox]

From what he's said, he wants a more long-term deal because it's his last big contract.

 

Personally, I wouldn't give him more than two, and I don't think he'll be worth as much as he'll want.

 

Yep, Dye isn't going to settle for a one or two deal when Texas or some other team will prolly give him 3 yrs guaranteed at 8 -10 mil a yr. The Sox can't afford that when they need two more OFs, a SS and a 2B to get as well.

[Kalapse]

Ugh, this is why I cheer against Podsednik. This team will go absolutely no where until they learn to kick the Podsednik habit, he's exactly what this team doesn't need at the top of the order since there's absolutely no organization depth to back up his perpetually hobbling ass. He's going to end up playing in now more than 70 games this season an there are still people willing to retain him? When did Sox fans become the battered wives of the sports fandom? Oh, I know he got hurt 8 times over the past 3 seasons but he's changed, he loves me. NO HE DOESN'T! HE LOVES BEING INJURED/BAD!

 

Each day i wish more and more than Kenny had just thrown $50M at Matthews JR/Pierre last offseason. Neither will be worth the money they make over the next 5 seasons but at least I'd never have to hear Podsednik's name again.

 

I can't wait until the beginning of December when KW signs Pods to a 1 year $3M contract and picks up Erstad's $3.25M option and people immediately start the excuses just like this past DEC. $6.25M to fill 2 outfield spots isn't bad at all! They're only giving them contracts so that they can trade them later! What out there is better than Pods/Erstad for the price? Would you rather have thrown $50M at Eric Byrnes? There's nothing else out there, Podsednik is the best available player to fill the leadoff spot! Oh dear god this offseason is going to be hell.

[The Beast]

Personally, I would bring back Pods under the condition that the contract is loaded with incentives. Give him a motivation to steal and increase a low salary. No team is going to sign him with how injury prone he has been.

 

As for Dye, I would pay him about 3 million less than what he is making at the moment and again, load it with incentives.

 

Perhaps bringing back Rowand would be a good idea, because then you have the outfield solidified.

 

Pods/Rowand/Dye

 

I think Fields is a beast at third base, if not better than Joe Crede, who I'd trade for a bag of baseballs as well as Jose Contreras.

[Kalapse]

I HATE SCOTT PODDEDNIK! But I realize that there is something to the argument that they win with him. I do not know what it is. I find it funny that they are playing pretty well right now and have been for the last month due to the pen being some what serviceable and having a lead-off hitter that is adequete (Owens).

You answered your own question. When Podsednik is just adequate at the top of the order, the Sox win. You could say the same for any leadoff hitter you could find. If Tim Raines were healthy and putting up a .350 OBP at the top of the lineup the Sox would probably be winning some games even with him being 47 years old. An adequate and healthy leadoff hitter does wonders for this team, the problem is Podsednik can't manage to be either of these for any more than about 80 games a season now.

[29andPoplar]

I can't wait until the beginning of December when KW signs Pods to a 1 year $3M contract and picks up Erstad's $3.25M option and people immediately start the excuses just like this past DEC. $6.25M to fill 2 outfield spots isn't bad at all! They're only giving them contracts so that they can trade them later! What out there is better than Pods/Erstad for the price? Would you rather have thrown $50M at Eric Byrnes? There's nothing else out there, Podsednik is the best available player to fill the leadoff spot! Oh dear god this offseason is going to be hell.

 

I don't think you have anything to worry about. Not to mention it's not worth worrying about it at all right now. It seems like this is how it goes on this message board, a guy has a good series and people want to keep/build around him. There is the other extreme too, a guy has a bad stretch and people want him designated for assignment.

[Kalapse]

I don't think you have anything to worry about. Not to mention it's not worth worrying about it at all right now. It seems like this is how it goes on this message board, a guy has a good series and people want to keep/build around him. There is the other extreme too, a guy has a bad stretch and people want him designated for assignment.

The knee jerk reactions can be just unbearable.

 

I can't help but expect the worst though. I really didn't expect Podsednik to be retained for the '07 season but Kenny really disappointed me on December first when he re-signed him. At that point it also appeared to be a forgone conclusion that Darin Erstad would be brought in as well, it was fairly obvious that he was going to be given the CF spot not matter what he did in Spring Training. Right then I knew the 2007 White Sox were doomed. Kenny really let me down this past offseason, I just find it hard to have any faith in the man after the way he handled the outfield situation.

[whitesoxfan101]

Pods has to be gone, and not because of his performance IMO. The man is a glass house and can't stay healthy and be trusted, so there is no use in keeping him at all. And if Jermaine Dye is not traded by the deadline, I'm going to lose my damn mind. So to answer your questions, no and no.

[29andPoplar]

I can't help but expect the worst though.

 

Ahhh ... you shouldn't. It's no way to go through life.

 

They know they made mistakes. These are bright guys and rest assured they are already planning things out.

 

They wanted to give one more run with the personnel that won the title, especially since the team won 90 games last year, i.e. last year wasn't a total debacle.

 

It didn't work, in fact it failed miserably. Sometimes you get lucky with these guys who have had injuries, sometimes you don't. Arguably, they got lucky with Jermaine Dye, many people said he was injury prone. He contributed. It was a mistake to rely on Podsednik and it was a mistake to rely on Erstad for a starting CF role. They may bring Erstad back for a backup role but they are done with Podsednik. Guillen wants power and a better hitter in LF and wants his speed up the middle (2B SS CF).

 

In fact I would not be surprised if Pods is gone by Tuesday afternoon.

[Balta1701]

It didn't work, in fact it failed miserably. Sometimes you get lucky with these guys who have had injuries, sometimes you don't. Arguably, they got lucky with Jermaine Dye, many people said he was injury prone. He contributed. It was a mistake to rely on Podsednik and it was a mistake to rely on Erstad for a starting CF role. They may bring Erstad back for a backup role but they are done with Podsednik. Guillen wants power and a better hitter in LF and wants his speed up the middle (2B SS CF).

 

In fact I would not be surprised if Pods is gone by Tuesday afternoon.

If they try to bring Erstad back as a backup role...I think we can all almost give a guarantee that somehow, he'll be the starting CF on day 1.

[Kalapse]

Ahhh ... you shouldn't. It's no way to go through life.

 

They know they made mistakes. These are bright guys and rest assured they are already planning things out.

 

They wanted to give one more run with the personnel that won the title, especially since the team won 90 games last year, i.e. last year wasn't a total debacle.

 

It didn't work, in fact it failed miserably. Sometimes you get lucky with these guys who have had injuries, sometimes you don't. Arguably, they got lucky with Jermaine Dye, many people said he was injury prone. He contributed. It was a mistake to rely on Podsednik and it was a mistake to rely on Erstad for a starting CF role. They may bring Erstad back for a backup role but they are done with Podsednik. Guillen wants power and a better hitter in LF and wants his speed up the middle (2B SS CF).

 

In fact I would not be surprised if Pods is gone by Tuesday afternoon.

Would you be in favor of bringing back Erstad at $3.25M to act as a 4th OF? I'd rather retain Mackowiak at the same price while keeping a league minimum defensive CF on hand at to act as the 5th OF.

[whitesoxfan101]

I'd MUCH rather have Mackowiak as our everyday leadoff man next year. He is a lefty, not too expensive...and although he's not as fast as Pods, he's by far the best baserunner on this team, can come up with an extra base hit at times, and is on his way to having a average/on base of .290/.370 this year, about identical to what he did last year. Also makes pitchers throw a ton of pitches.

Edited July 27, 2007 by whitesoxfan101

[Harry Chappas]

I don't think you have anything to worry about. Not to mention it's not worth worrying about it at all right now. It seems like this is how it goes on this message board, a guy has a good series and people want to keep/build around him. There is the other extreme too, a guy has a bad stretch and people want him designated for assignment.

 

I do not want to keep or build around Scott Podsednik the problem is what are the options. Jerry Ownes and Darin Erstad are as serviceable as Podsednik. The 3 and 4 hitters in the line-up are bringing in $27M next year, they need to a degree, create their own offense and drive in runs more consistently. Iguchi needed to sit in the 2 hole and not be moved for the likes of Juan Uribe or Andy Gonzalez. I actually thought when Erstad went down that Iguchi should have lead off. Having a lead off hitter for the month of June that was gettting on at under a .200 clip along with missing Crede and a pathetic stylings of Juan Uribe added to the problem.

 

I am just not certain the replacement is out there and as readily available as everyone believes.

[elrockinMT]

I have also suggested signing Dye. He is in no more of a slump than a number of our players. It happens. Next year will be better. He is a very good hitter with power and drives in runs. If we just let him go I think the team will be very shortsighted. Pods I don't know about. I like his spped and hustle. If he is healthy he brings a lot of upside with him, but that is the problem -staying healthy. Another reason for keeping Dye is I just don't see where our AAA prospects are ready. I would like to see Fields in LF next year and we sign Crede to an extension to play 3B. Fields in LF someone in CF and Dye in RF. The someone in CF could be Pods-Owens-Anderson-Sweeney or a FA signing. One of those four named could be the #4 OF'er also.

[Kalapse]

I do not want to keep or build around Scott Podsednik the problem is what are the options. Jerry Ownes and Darin Erstad are as serviceable as Podsednik. The 3 and 4 hitters in the line-up are bringing in $27M next year, they need to a degree, create their own offense and drive in runs more consistently. Iguchi needed to sit in the 2 hole and not be moved for the likes of Juan Uribe or Andy Gonzalez. I actually thought when Erstad went down that Iguchi should have lead off. Having a lead off hitter for the month of June that was gettting on at under a .200 clip along with missing Crede and a pathetic stylings of Juan Uribe added to the problem.

 

I am just not certain the replacement is out there and as readily available as everyone believes.

Better options than Podsednik: Rob Mackowiak, Jerry Owens, Ricky Henderson, Eric Byrnes (w/ a backloaded deal) or the best of them all Kenny does his job, gets creative and finds a Leadoff man through trade. I really don't want to see Owens or Byrnes leading off for the Sox next year but I could probably stomach it if it meant not having to endure another season of Podsednik.

 

The best option is Kenny getting creative and finding someone on the trade market. This is where his scouts need to come through for him, even if he needs to give up a minor league arm to bring one in he needs to find a fresh face to leadoff in '08.

 

Scott Podsednik has become the Kerry Wood of the South Side only without the talent.

[hitlesswonder]

You answered your own question. When Podsednik is just adequate at the top of the order, the Sox win. You could say the same for any leadoff hitter you could find. If Tim Raines were healthy and putting up a .350 OBP at the top of the lineup the Sox would probably be winning some games even with him being 47 years old. An adequate and healthy leadoff hitter does wonders for this team, the problem is Podsednik can't manage to be either of these for any more than about 80 games a season now.

 

I agree. Why do people think Pods is the only leadoff hitter out there? Really, 2 years in a row KW will have no other option? If there's one thing Williams should freaking do this offseason it's get a leadoff hitter (and by that I mean someone who gets on base and not picked off) that plays SS,2B or CF.

 

Scoring from 1B on bunt and error doesn't erase a wretched .330 OBP last season, all the injuries, and the fact he can't play CF. That last bit is important. Who here thinks the way to fix the offense is to have Pods in LF and Erstad in CF again? You want to give the offense a boost? Get a leadoff man to play CF and a hitter to play left. Assuming Dye is gone, the Sox will especially need more than a .300 SLG from their LF. And I really doubt the Sox are going shell $10M per to sign Hunter/Byrnes/Rowand. Which is fine because none of those guys inspires me with confidence that they aren't having career years.

 

I'm sort of surpirsed how many people want Pods back in LF next season. If that happens, it's clearly true that history repeats itself, first as tragedy, second as farce.

 

[Harry Chappas]

Better options than Podsednik: Rob Mackowiak, Jerry Owens, Eric Byrnes (w/ a backloaded deal) or the best of them all Kenny does his job, gets creative and finds a Leadoff man through trade. I really don't want to see Owens or Byrnes leading off for the Sox next year but I could probably stomach it if it meant not having to endure another season of Podsednik.

 

The best option is Kenny getting creative and finding someone on the trade market. This is where his scouts need to come through for him, even if he needs to give up a minor league arm to bring one in he needs to find a fresh face to leadoff in '08.

 

Scott Podsednik has become the Kerry Wood of the South Side only without the talent.

 

I believe three or four minor league arms will be gone this offseason. If Mackowiak was an option (and I agree he was) why wasn't he used this season? I think the idea that a guy must be fast to leadoff is as stupidas some ofthe leftie rightie ideas of Guillen. Guillen needs a better bench coach as Cora is down right terrible.

[hitlesswonder]

If they try to bring Erstad back as a backup role...I think we can all almost give a guarantee that somehow, he'll be the starting CF on day 1.

There's no doubt in my mind that Erstad will start if he is on the Sox next season. In fact, while I think Pods is gone, I think a hellaciously bad OF of Owens-Erstad-Sweeney is pretty likely. Arrrgh.

[Kalapse]

I believe three or four minor league arms will be gone this offseason. If Mackowiak was an option (and I agree he was) why wasn't he used this season? I think the idea that a guy must be fast to leadoff is as stupidas some ofthe leftie rightie ideas of Guillen. Guillen needs a better bench coach as Cora is down right terrible.

Mackowiak hasn't lead off for 2 reasons. 1.) He's not considered fast and 2.) he doesn't have much leadoff experience (minor league or otherwise). Scott Podsednik, Pablo Ozuna, Darin Erstad and Jerry Owens fit these two requirements (though Erstad is a stretch for #1). It's pretty ridiculous.

[Gregory Pratt]

I HATE SCOTT PODDEDNIK! But I realize that there is something to the argument that they win with him. I do not know what it is. I find it funny that they are playing pretty well right now and have been for the last month due to the pen being some what serviceable and having a lead-off hitter that is adequete (Owens).

 

Next year I think the Opening Day outfield will be Pods, Rowand and Dye with Owens and Erstad as platoon guys. The problem with this team was OG and KW fell in love with Erstad and rushed Pods back. If Anderson was given the CF job and he held it Erstad would have played less and been available to replace Pods by he playing a less stressful LF as oppossed to CF. This was an organizational move that blew up in their face which was compunded and more the cause of the season going down the tubes by the horrendous bullpen. The line-up's inability to score runs for the entire month of June doomed this season. Should we have been only 8 back I would think we had a chance. Why we coudn't beat the NL, I do know.

 

Who would Owens and Erstad platoon with?

 

Erstad-Konerko?

Erstad-Dye?

Owens-Dye?

Erstad-Rowand?

Owens-Rowand?

 

'Cause you can't platoon two lefties, and I doubt Rowand'll accept a platoon position.

 

So, no, I don't think that'll work.

[Wanne]

It's kind of a moot point depending on what KW does with the pitching staff IMO. If he deal Garland and finds some poor sap to Count off our hands we'd be going into next year with really 2 veterans starters...and a semi-seasoned Danks. If he ends up dealing Garland that says rebuilding mode to me and think you could probably write off Dye and Pods in that scenerio. I could be wrong...but that's my gut reaction...although it could just be gas.

[The Ginger Kid]

Yes to Dye, hell no to Pods

I'm surprised, I thought you were over Dye. I too think he still has something left in the tank.

[The Ginger Kid]

I also wonder what Sweeney might do if he were to be given the some day in, day out shot that Fields and Owens are getting.

[Balta1701]

One other note...Resigning Dye would make a hell of a lot more sense if we didn't already have a pretty good DH. JD's biggest issue right now is playing the field and the wear and tear that puts on his legs. He's certainly proven this month that he can still hit if he's healthy, but his legs have a lot of miles/injuries on them, and that's only going to get worse if he's put in the field every day. You want to resign Dye? You probably ought to try to move Thome first.