In what was likely the first of several moves for the Kansas City Royals as baseball's non-waiver trade deadline approaches quickly, popular outfielder Scott Podsednik is heading to the LA Dodgers in a deal that will give the Royals 25 year old catcher Lucas May and 21 year old pitcher Elisaul Pimentel.
Podsednik, 34, was acquired to fill a huge hole in the Dodgers outfield left when Manny Ramirez hit the DL. The speedster is hitting .309/.352/.400 and is 30-for-42 on stolen base attempts. His ability to get on base and steal bags should give him the opportunity to score a boatload of runs for the Dodgers, who seek to catch up to the first place San Diego Padres.
May has hit .285/.344/.472 with 11 home runs between AA and AAA, and may be able to get some playing time as early as later this year as the Royals look for long-term stability behind the dish.
With Dodgers center fielder Reed Johnson also on the DL, Podsednik may see an increase of playing time at center fielder, though he still figures primarily to be a left fielder. However, with Manny Ramirez expected back in mid-to-late August, it is fair to expect Podsednik's playing time to diminish unless Ramirez struggles mightily.
