Dodgers Acquire Scott Podsednik On The Royals:The veteran outfielder will add speed and insurance in case of Manny Ramirez will not be returned quickly.Dodgers acquired veteran outfielder Podsednik Scott of the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday in exchange for two minor league players.Reports from San Diego: The Dodgers made a deal with 3 days remaining before the trading deadline without giving up, adding none of the pitchers they are targeting, but the player CEO Ned Colletti called "defense in the case of outfielders Manny Ramirez and Reed Johnson to stand aside in a long period.
Remedies in the veteran Scott outfielder Podsednik, whom the Dodgers, acquired from the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday a triple sight Lucas May and class right-hander Elisaul Pimentel.
Podsednik, 34, played for 5 teams in 10 major league seasons, including the World Series champion Chicago White Sox in 2005. 0.280 bitter life, he was batting .310 with 44 runs batted in, 46 runs scored and 30 steals.
Podsednik, who has a 15-game hit band is expected to join the Dodgers for the series finale in San Diego on Thursday.
"He gives us speed," said Colletti. "He's a good hitter. He can play left field. He can play center field, if necessary. He can add many different dimensions to the club."
Ramirez, 38, is listed as disabled because of strained muscles and calves being treated at the Dodgers spring training facility in Arizona. Johnson, a fourth outfielder, is also on the disabled list as he recovers from strained lower back.Colletti said he did not know when any player coming back.Unlike some of the deals on Dodgers in recent years, they do not receive money from their trading partners.
Podsednik-still owed about $ 600,000 of his 2010 salary of $ 1,750,000. Podsednik deal also includes $ 2 million option for next season, which has a $ 100,000 ransom.Podsednik could void the option if he does 525 performances a plate. He currently has 435.
Dodgers able to take even more money, for the right thing, "said Colletti.Colletti said he will spend time before the deadline on Saturday focused on acquiring pitching. Roy Oswalt in the Houston Astros and Ted Lilly of the Chicago Cubs among the goals.Already traded top catching prospects Carlos Santana as part of a package for Casey Blake and two years ago, there is a shortage of quality trap in the Dodgers' system.
"We decided to go with Podsednik in the present time," said Colletti. "We worry when we get to this point."Converted to shorts-25-year-old May, batting .296 with 11 home runs and 45 runs batted in in Triple A.Pimentel, 22, was 9-3 with a 3.49 earned run average in 17 games, including 16 starts, in countries with low A.
Or go back?
With Clayton Kershaw suspended until Sunday, the Dodgers have emergency starter for Saturday in San Francisco.Manager Joe Torre said John Ely, is likely to get the job. Torre also said that Chad Billingsley offered to start the game on short rest, but manager added that he wants to do anything that might disrupt his rhythm.
Short hops:
The next day after he was carried from the list because of a stomach virus, Andre Ethier started in right field. ... Johnson threw in the outfield and hit in the cages. It will work on Thursday and will likely be on his way to minor league rehabilitation assignment in the near future, if he suffers defeat. ... Right-hander Justin Miller, who was appointed to the appointment last week, cleared waivers and outrighted to triple-Albuquerque.
