Scott Podsednik May Migrate North

Scott Podsednik, the once sweet-swinging left-hander who helped the Chicago White Sox end their painfully long World Series drought, may be able to do the same this year - only on the opposite end of town.

Rumor has it that the Cubs claimed Podsednik on waivers Friday, giving the White Sox until the end of the weekend to work out a trade deal, let him go, or pull him off the waiver wire.

The Cubbies have entered this weekend half a game behind the NL Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers. They could really use a left fielder in the leadoff spot on the North Side, power or no, considering Alfonso Soriano is still nursing his torn quad muscle.

The oft-injured Pods underwent surgery for the second straight year to repair a sports hernia in the offseason, spent two months on the disabled list with a strained adductor muscle early in the season and went back on the DL in July with a strained left ribcage muscle.

The 31-year-old is batting .176 with 1 home run and 1 RBI in 35 games this season, with 7 steals.

[Chicago Tribune]

Podsednik Out, Erstad In

Perfect timing struck for the Chicago White Sox this week when they reportedly signed lefty outfielder Darin Erstad to a one-year deal with an option for the 2008 season. Pending a physical, Erstad should be around just in time for SoxFest this Friday.

After playing his entire career with the Los Angeles Angels, Darin hit .221 over 95 at-bats in 2006, playing in only 40 games due to a right ankle injury. His best numbers came in 2000 with a .355 average, 25 home runs, 100 RBIs and 240 hits batting in the leadoff spot.

This veteran addition comes at a crucial time for Chicago, since left-fielder Scott Podsednik underwent sports hernia surgery Tuesday and will be out for anywhere from six to eight weeks. The injury, originally from four years earlier when he was with the Milwaukee Brewers, resurfaced recently when Pods kicked his workouts into high gear with Spring Training just around the corner.

If his recovery should cut into the regular season, Erstad would most likely take his place in the line up. Otherwise, he could also challenge Brian Anderson for a starting spot in center field.

[MLB]