Jays sign Scott Podsednik

[The_Hater]

Problem is, Pods can't play a lick of CF which doesn't help the Jays much. He would have made a lot more $$$ in his career if he could have.

[Schad]

Sure Rajai Davis and Podsednik aren't Jed Lowrie, Brett Gardner, or Figgins in his Anaheim days but they are more than serviceable and both capable of 30-60 sbs.. I'll gladly take this deal and I think with the type of hitters we have these guys are perfect fits.

Stealing 30ish bases while getting caught 15ish times doesn't actually help you score runs. In fact, on a team that hits for a tonne of power, it's fairly likely to cost you runs.

[satyr9]

Sure Rajai Davis and Podsednik aren't Jed Lowrie, Brett Gardner, or Figgins in his Anaheim days but they are more than serviceable and both capable of 30-60 sbs.. I'll gladly take this deal and I think with the type of hitters we have these guys are perfect fits.

Stealing 30ish bases while getting caught 15ish times doesn't actually help you score runs. In fact, on a team that hits for a tonne of power, it's fairly likely to cost you runs.

But it's fun.

[Randle McMurphy]

Sure Rajai Davis and Podsednik aren't Jed Lowrie, Brett Gardner, or Figgins in his Anaheim days but they are more than serviceable and both capable of 30-60 sbs.. I'll gladly take this deal and I think with the type of hitters we have these guys are perfect fits.

Stealing 30ish bases while getting caught 15ish times doesn't actually help you score runs. In fact, on a team that hits for a tonne of power, it's fairly likely to cost you runs.

But it's fun.

Not when they get caught stealing with HR hitters at the plate. Then it just pisses you off.

[Anatomize]

You don't get base stealers for this purpose only.. compared to what we had previously Davis can leg out what would be a double for most guys into a run.. they make a difference on the base paths in more ways than just stealing..

Davis stole 50 and caught only 11 times that is a great ratio.. 66 runs for a power sapped Oakland team is pretty solid; despite his average though he has a subpar OBP if he's going to be our lead off guy..

If Podsednik played the entire season or close to .. he was on pace for about 80-85 runs..

We bring these guys in so we can turn doubles with a guy on 1st base into a potential run scored.. I don't think we've ever had that privilege.. they're going to get caught here and there and it is a risk that you live with for every base stealer, this is not some exception shared only by our guys.

[satyr9]

Stealing 30ish bases while getting caught 15ish times doesn't actually help you score runs. In fact, on a team that hits for a tonne of power, it's fairly likely to cost you runs.

But it's fun.

Not when they get caught stealing with HR hitters at the plate. Then it just pisses you off.

True enough, but being a fan of a team that barely has 300 SBs in the last five years combined has made me ready for a little gamblin' on the basepaths.

[Schad]

You don't get base stealers for this purpose only.. compared to what we had previously Davis can leg out what would be a double for most guys into a run.. they make a difference on the base paths in more ways than just stealing..

Davis stole 50 and caught only 11 times that is a great ratio.. 66 runs for a power sapped Oakland team is pretty solid; despite his average though he has a subpar OBP if he's going to be our lead off guy..

If Podsednik played the entire season or close to .. he was on pace for about 80-85 runs..

Simply looking at raw numbers like bases stolen or runs scored neglects the opportunity cost, which is the most important variable when bringing in a new player. Like you said, Davis had a subpar OBP because he can't take a walk to save his life; he also doesn't pick up many extra-base hits, which means that he's starting at first base much more than many top-of-the-order guys.

We bring these guys in so we can turn doubles with a guy on 1st base into a potential run scored.. I don't think we've ever had that privilege.. they're going to get caught here and there and it is a risk that you live with for every base stealer, this is not some exception shared only by our guys.

It isn't a risk shared by only our guys, and no one would suggest that it was. Rather, those of us who don't like light-hitting, speed-oriented players are arguing -- with a fair amount of statistical backing -- that while they add to the entertainment value of the team, their shortcomings make them less-than-ideal recipients of 600+ plate appearances.

[SharoneWright]

I don't mind some speed at the top of our order, so long as John Farrell doesn't try to use it...