Scott Podsednik

The Dodgers picked up Podsednik at the July trade deadline last year to fill the void left by Manny Ramirez in left field, but after Pods batted a paltry .262/.313/.336 in 149 at-bats, the club declined to offer arbitration, making Podsednik a free agent. As of press time, he was still a free agent, and at 35 this season, it's tough to see Podsednik accruing much 2011 fantasy value. He did swipe 35 bags in 2010, so if he winds up with semi-regular playing time, he'll be worth a look in deeper formats.

The White Sox requested Podsednik’s services after Dewayne Wise and Brian Anderson went down with injuries, and he delivered much more than was asked of him. A fresh batting stance yielded a .304/.353/.412 line, and he stole 30 bases. More importantly, Podsednik played more than 100 games for the first time since 2006. Given his recent injury problems and age (he will be 34 at the start of the 2010 season), it’s hard to tell if he has a repeat performance in him. The Royals signed him in January to take over their starting job in center field and to serve as their leadoff hitter, so Podsednik may be a viable cheap source of steals again in 2010.

Cheap speed. Podsednik runs when he plays, and is the fallback position should neither Carlos Gonzalez nor Dexter Fowler win the center-field job in the spring. He's accidentally hit .300 a few times, so make sure he's on your list for the endgame.

Podsednik dealt with abductor and rib cage injuries for much of the season and was limited to just 62 games. He's never shown much power but he stole just 12 bases last season after stealing at least 40 in four straight seasons. The White Sox grew tired of wondering when he'd be healthy and designated him for assignment in the offseason. If he can stay healthy and land somewhere where he can get some regular playing time he'll give you plus-speed.

When Podsednik can get on base, he's a disruptive force who can steal bases and set the table for Chicago's powerful offensive forces. He was adequate at that job in only two of the six months last year. To be fair, the difference between his 2005 season, when he was among those receiving votes for MVP, and 2006 was 10 hits. If those fall in play in 2007, the White Sox lineup is clicking again.

For some reason, many people feel that every player's contributions to a team should be about equal. This egalitarian impulse can cause everything from the overvaluing of short relievers (because their 60 innings came in crucial situations) to the attributing of intangible qualities to lesser lights as a way to balance the scales. Seen in that light, labels like "table-setter" and "character guy" and "scrappy" seem more like indictments than praise. As for Podsednik? Why, he's a scrappy character guy and table-setter for a world champion... expect more of the same in 2006. Still, in fantasy he gets plenty of chances to steal as the leadoff hitter and left fielder.

Podsednik fell off in almost every category during 2004 except for stolen bases. His 70 stolen bases in 83 chances still made him a valuable fantasy player, but his .313 OBP didn't sit too well with the Brewers. As a result, he was traded to the White Sox for Carlos Lee. He should have more job security after the trade as the White Sox will give him every chance to keep a starting outfield job, so he'll be valuable again in fantasy leagues for his steals even if he struggles at the plate.

Podsednik was signed prior to the 2003 season as a minor league free agent and almost ended up winning the ROY award. At 27, he's not a typical rookie but he knows how to get on base and stole 43 bases in 53 chances. There is some concern that he hit his peak last season and will be a one-hit wonder, but those stolen bases are hard to pass up.