Pierre, Podsednik, and infield names
CLEARWATER, Fla. — While reporting on the story that appears in Thursday's Inquirer about Charlie Manuel's desire for situational ball, the manager had some interesting insight into the decision that lies ahead regarding the fifth outfielder job.
Pierre, Podsednik, and infield names
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
CLEARWATER, Fla. — While reporting on the story that appears in Thursday's Inquirer about Charlie Manuel's desire for situational ball, the manager had some interesting insight into the decision that lies ahead regarding the fifth outfielder job.
One of Juan Pierre and Scott Podsednik is a near lock to make the team out of camp. Both have earned significant playing time this spring and figure to play regularly in the next nine days. Pierre is 9 for 32 (.281) at the plate and 2 for 4 in stolen bases. Podsednik is 14 for 36 (.389) and 5 for 5 in steals. Five of Podsednik's hits are doubles; Pierre has no extra-base hits.
It's obvious Podsednik has had the better spring. But, as mentioned in this space before, Pierre has an edge because Podsednik can be sent to the minors.
Pierre can ask for his release March 30 if he's not added to the roster, under guidelines for certain free agents granted in the new collective bargaining agreement. If the Phillies want to send him to the minors, he must accept the assignment and receives a $100,000 retention bonus for going down. Podsednik cannot ask for his release until June 1.
Manuel had good things to say about Podsednik.
"About the last 10 days, he's been playing a lot better," Manuel said. "He got off to a slow start in camp. He shows you now he can play good in the outfield. He can run."
Then, unprompted, Manuel presented the case for taking Pierre instead.
"You have to remember sometimes, like Juan Pierre, his season last year has to stand for something," Manuel said. "He shows you he scored 80 runs. There are such things as people getting off to a slow start in the spring. You have to wager that to a certain degree."
Grapefruit League stats will have only so much effect on the decision. Pierre (rightly or wrongly) batted 711 times for a major-league team in 2011. Podsednik played in 34 minor-league games from Las Vegas to Dunedin to Lehigh Valley.
Basically, what Manuel is saying, is Pierre deserves a longer look that four weeks of spring games. We'll see if that's the ultimate decision.
***
The Phillies are looking for infield help, this we know. Whether they acquire an everyday option to replace Chase Utley or a utility player to replace Michael Martinez is still in question. The guess here is the Phillies test the market now and wait closer to opening day to see who is released from other camps.
If they go the utility route, here are four names to store away: Omar Vizquel, Alex Cora, Cesar Izturis and Jose Lopez. All four of those infielders are in the same situation as Pierre, explained above. So teams could be willing to release them instead of paying to send them to the minors.
Vizquel is a player the Phillies inquired about this winter as a reserve plan should Jimmy Rollins have signed elsewhere. Lopez is a name that has often come up during Phillies trade talks in previous seasons; he has some admirers in the front office.
Another situation to watch is that in San Francisco, where Ryan Theriot could become available March 29.
Again, we're not talking about significant upgrades. But to fill the utility role for a bargain price, the Phillies could do worse.
Have a question? Send it to Matt Gelb's Mailbag.
Buy Phillies tickets 
The Phils are in a bad situation, at least for the first month of the season. Hopefully Galvis can take up some of te slack, but unless the Phils can find a way force pitchers to pitch to and not around Pence, Mayberry and Thome or Wiggs. Chase was that factor when he came back last year. Even though Chase was the Chase of old, the Phil still scored more runs with him in the line-up because you couldn't take him for granted. This is why I'd put Pence 3rd and not clean-up, especially when Thome is in the line-up.— andivalspoppop- Breaking News .....the Philles are the only team that will have injured players this year that affects the roster.
Marlins ..Braves..Mets.. all of a sudden that Jose"Glass" Reyes is gonna stay healthy all year...Same with Chipper "father time" Jones David"Ouch my Back" is penciled in for 162 games!!! lETS DO IT!!— FoRealTruth - I'm really hoping the Phillies will find a spot for Lou Montanez. When the Phillies won in '08 they had several fringe players (including Coste and Werth) trying to make it in the majors. I believe that is an important component of winning teams. I'm not sure how much of a stretch it is to compare Montanez to Werth, but he is a former 1st round pick who has outplayed Podsednik, and Pierre this spring and is much younger than them.— Sportsphan
- I'm with you Sporstphan. I have been saying the same about Montañez. He has put great numbers in the minors (Triple Crown in 2008 in the Eastern League, despite missing one month) and hitting .321 last year with the Cubs' AAA team. He was drafted as a SS coming out of high school and has shown his athletic ability playing great defense in LF and RF with an excellent arm. But the Phillies are inclined towards one of the veterans LH hitting outfielders.— EL Zorro
- One thing working against Montañez is he hasn't hit that well in recent years when he's been given a shot in the majors. I've liked his spring though. — s
- Yes, I know. But he needs to get a longer look. — EL Zorro
- From the Ryan Theriot article you referenced...
The 32 year old second baseman "He changed his workout routine this winter to concentrate on lower-body strength"...
Chase...you listening? What did you do all winter, dude?— scootch - The Phillies solutions to problems are to bargain shop, not get the best player available. Amaro and Manuel have stocked this team with mid-thirty players. The management is not planning a balanced mix of young and veteran players. The farm system has few infielders or outfielders above Class A and their only strength are in the pitching.— tulsaphil
- Freddie Galvis!!!— ginzo
- Freddie Galvis!!!— ginzo
- I think Chollie's brain is injured. Coming to the plate 711 times and only scoring 80 runs is why Pierre couldn't get a real contract from any of the Major League teams, not something you put in the plus column. Sheesh!— jtj06
- It's probably wise to go the route of putting Pierre on the roster until he proves he has nothing left in the tank and then calling up Podsednik. And I don't really want anything to do with 44 year old Omar Vizquel. I'd rather than give Luis Castillo a ring after not playing last season .— NovaNation11
- KEEP 'EM BOTH!!!!!— BullZinski
- Podsednik hands down. Hitting .389 this Spring with more power deserves more consideration plus he is a decent lead off hitter and can play a superior LF. Start the season with Pods leading off could be interesting and have Jimmy hit 2nd, Shane 3rd.— Special Agent Fox Mulder
- If they keep Pierre instead of Pods it will be a mistake. I think Pods should start in left field and Mayberry at first.— mbutley
