CLEARWATER, Fla. — Scott Podsednik walked into the home clubhouse at Bright House Field as the hero of the day.
When he launched a ninth-inning two-out, solo home run into the berm over the right-field fence Tuesday, he gave a fan a souvenir, prevented extra innings, ended the game and got to enjoy a lobster meal with his teammates.
But where Podsednik will be next week, when the Phillies finalize their opening-day roster, is still unknown. From the time camp began last month through the end of this week, Podsednik and fellow speedy, left-handed hitting veteran Juan Pierre have been battling for big league jobs.
Both Podsednik and Pierre, who have a combined 22 years of big league experience, are in camp on minor league contracts looking for major league jobs.
“They’ve both done fine,” general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said. “They’re battling. We’re still watching.”
But the Phillies will have to decide on one of the two by the end of the week.
Pierre’s contract includes a March 30 opt-out clause; if he’s told Friday that he will not be on the major league roster for the start of the season, Pierre can become a free agent.
Podsednik also has an opt-out clause. But since the date of his clause is more than two months away (June 1), the Phillies have more flexibility with Podsednik.
If the Phils wanted to keep both — but not have both of them on the major league roster when the season begins — Podsednik can be sent to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Since Pierre’s contract includes an early opt-out clause, he would be unlikely to accept a minor league assignment.
“We’ll make the decision,” manager Charlie Manuel said.
Podsednik, 36, first joined the Phillies last May, but never made it to the big leagues while battling foot injuries for most of the summer. He hit .245 in 14 games at Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
But the Phillies showed interest in bringing him back early in the offseason.
“They said we feel like there’s some unfinished business, and I felt the same way,” Podsednik said. “I didn’t feel like I was myself with those guys (because of the injuries) so I think the feeling was mutual.”
Podsednik has made the most of his second chance this spring. He’s hitting .362 (17-for-47) with a .423 on-base percentage, five doubles and a home run while going 5-for-5 in stolen base attempts.
The 34-year-old Pierre has hit .289 (13-for-45) with a .360 on-base percentage, one extra-base hit (a double) and has gone 2-for-5 in stolen base attempts.
“It’s close,” Manuel said. “Both have been pretty good players.”
But has one separated himself from the other?
“Podsednik hits the ball a little bit harder. He gives you more juice; Pierre is on base more. He has a high on-base percentage,” Manuel said. “He showed he can steal a base. And he shows he gives good at-bats. I think they’re a little bit different players. Pierre is more of a guy that’s a table setter. He’s a guy that if you want him to help your team, he has to hit high in the order where he can get on base. Podsednik is a little bit stronger hitter.”
Even with an injury-ravaged roster, it’s highly unlikely the Phillies break camp with both on their major league roster. Their slight differences aside, they are a bit redundant as speed-first, left-handed hitting outfielders.
As the Phils roster stands today, with Ty Wigginton and John Mayberry slated to start, the team doesn’t have an obvious candidate as a right-handed bat off the bench, either.
For the first time in a long time, Pierre, who has made close to $55 million, is in camp playing for a job. He said it’s been somewhat difficult, since he’s a patient hitter by nature but has felt he’s had to be more aggressive in order to make an impression.
But when asked if it was weird to have an uncertain job status with a week before the season begins, Pierre said he wasn’t worried.
“No – my faith is in Christ,” Pierre said. “The Bible says be anxious about nothing. So pray on it and I leave it in God’s hands. Wherever he wants me to be, I will be. That’s what I truly believe. It’s not a bunch of hogwash. That has made this process go a little bit easier for me.”
