ESPN's Jerry Crasnick names three free agents on the Royals' radar for center field: Rick Ankiel, Scott Podsednik, and Randy Winn. It should be noted that none of the three logged 500 innings in center in '09. Crasnick's source doesn't see the Royals spending much more than $2MM on a one-year deal, so playing time could be the biggest selling point. Coco Crisp at $5.25MM coming off two shoulder surgeries might be seen as an overpay by Oakland, if these other free agents sign for less than half that.
My guess is that Scott Boras will end up finding a reasonable one-year deal for Ankiel, much as he did for Joe Crede last year. Beyond the Pirates, we haven't heard much from other Ankiel suitors. Podsednik could land with the Giants or Tigers, while Winn is being courted by the Padres and D'Backs.
If I were the royals I would go with Scotty Pods cuz of his speed and ability to get on base, then look at Ankiel for his defensive prowess and finally Winn if he can be added on the cheap.
I think podsednik would do great for the royals just like he did for the White Sox last season.
I like Winn for the Yanks in LF
the angels will practically give you GMJ if you want haha
Not only give you GMJ but you can have GMJ + $17m to pay off the last 2 years.
Sadly, Podsednik is probably the best option among those three, at least offensively. He has the highest batting average, on base percentage, and slugging percentage.
Ahhh, I can see it now. Frank Wren is thinkin….”hmm, what if I send Melky over for an offensive prospect.” And that would be just fine by me, as with McClouth, Heyward, Diaz, Hinske, Schaefer, we should be as solid as the $$ will allow for 2010.
Sadly, Podsednik is probably the best option of the three, at least offensively. He had the highest batting average, on base percentage, and slugging percentage of all 3 of them last year.
ankiel be a smart move here i see him in stl and i think they could get him for a good deal in a low pressure place him would really open up and could be a guy who hit 20 25 hrs
How about the REDS send CF Willy Taveras, 1 mid tier prospect & $2M to KC…for a bucket of used BP balls & a Fungo Bat?
I gotta go with Pods for the speed factor. However, Ankiel has more power and that’s something we’ll need to backup Butler, Gordon, and Guillen.
this “speed” you give credit to Pods for does nothing but hurt his team.The “break even” point on SB is 75%, anything less then that for your percentage and you are costing your teams more runs then you are gaining. And Pods hasnt stolen above 75% since 2004! In fact, the last 5 seasons combined he has been at 71% which is just pitifulPlus, getting caught so many times means you are not on base as often as your OBP would imply. For a guy with a huge OBP, maybe that wouldnt be that big of an issue. Pods is horrible at getting on base though, so every time he gets caught is a disaster! Well, when you remove the Caught Stealing from the TOB portion of the OBP calculation, this is what you get2004 .2932005 .3092006 .2962007 .2722008 .3002009 .328Car .313That is the real OBP value he has provided to his teams with his horrific running game. Couple it with the fact that he cant play CF and the fact that he provides much less then league average power, and you have a player that should not be on a ML roster, period. He holds no value as a Defensive sub, holds no value as pinch hitter, holds no value as pinch runner and is clearly not a starter.
Since when do the Royals give anyone a 1 year deal?
Ha.
Has anyone heard that there is still any chance the Royals are looking at Brett Gardner for David DeJesus? Gardner would solve their CF issue, albeit it would mean they’d now need a left fielder.
God I hope the Yankees don’t get away with this pillaging of a small-market team. DeJesus has the talent and the integrity to be the face of KC for years to come… if they trade him for Gardner, who is basically a fourth outfielder, they’ll regret it big time, while NYY will be laughing all the way to the bank.
I say Ankiel because he has the most upside and is the youngest. I like his style of play.
I for one wouldnt mind moving Melky to the Royals. not sure if they would want him but hes under team control had a decent OBP which Royals could use. take back some prospects and use his money plus the little we have left and try and get an everyday LF.
Did anyone else read this as “Cecil Fielder on Royals’ Radar”
Can’t dejesus play centre? I dare say none of the above look really appealing — especially if you have to overpay. Ankiel for $3m tops, $1.75m for Pods or $1.25m for winn. Church would be ok, Johnson would do and gomes or baldelli could fill the spot. At some point KC has to start giving their farmhands a chance, although we know how that ends up.
By NO means deal with Atlanta again. It’s more than an in-house joke now.
i dont know i wouldnt mind if Moore made a deal with atlanta for scheffer or schaffer or whatever his name is, the young outfeilder they have.
It doesn’t matter what those guys sign for. Crisp for $5.5m is too much. Period. This is especially true considering it’s the A’s that shelled out the money for him.
Mutts should send Pagan to KC for DeJesus
I could see Moore going after Gary Matthews Jr. It fits his style.
Over-payed outfielders that ride the bench, or can not play the game at all.
I keep reading the headline as Cecil Fielder on Royals’ Radar. The sad thing is he could probably make the team.
i can’t believe everyone wants a speedster over a power guy. i like scotty but come on guys we need someone who can hit the ball and play defense and have room to get better, what you saw last year from pods is going to be the max he will ever give. cannon arm 500ft homers and you would rather have scottty P? Ankiel will put butts in the seats guaranteeeeeeeeee
I’d rather have Pod. Ankiel will just strike out all the time. At least Pod will put the bat on the ball and play solid defense.
Im ok with that.
Yeah, those 11 homers by Ankiel last year were awesome. For some perspective, Pods outslugged Ankiel last year, .412 to .387.
Ankiel is Mike Jacobs at the plate, although he does play a good outfield.
As a Cardinals fan, Ankiel is one of those players who just isn’t all that good, but is exciting to watch because he can do spectacular things on occasion.