Podsednik Signs; Dayton Moore's Pseudo-Confidence Soars

Here's the deal. I'm ok with this move. We sign Scott Podsednik to a 1-year deal worth $1.75 million with a mutual option for 2011 if Podsednik gets over 560 ABs. Not a bad deal. This improves our outfield depth, speed and defense. Podsednik's arm may not be the strongest, it might be a slight upgrade over Coco's arm in CF, but he can get to balls just as quickly as Coco.

I'm happy we got him to sign for less than $2 million, as he had a career year at the plate, hitting .304. The defense in the outfield looks improved, we'll probably see this on a regular basis:

LF- David DeJesus
CF- Podsednik
RF- Mitch Maier/Willie Bloomquist

All three have played CF in their careers and have above average speed. Podsednik adds a stolen base threat, but not as much as you would think, he led the league in Caught Stealing twice and was 30 for 43 in steals last year. The Royals will probably be one of the fastest teams in the AL Central next year with the additions of Getz, Brian Anderson and Podsednik, joining the likes of Bloomquist, DeJesus, Maier and Gordon, all players who have decent steal numbers in their careers.

I'm ok with the move. We didn't really have a centerfielder headed into 2010. Hopefully Dayton Moore and Trey Hillman don't move DeJesus out of the leadoff spot in favor of Podsednik, but rather keep him at the bottom of the order and let him set the table for Callaspo, DDJ and Butler in the later innings.

If the Royals do that, then this will be a positive move.