The 34-year-old Scott Podsednik is off to the best start of his 10-year career, collecting six multi-hit games already and speeding around the basepaths like it’s 2005.  Through 13 games, Podsednik has a .449 BA (22/49), 6 RBIs, 6 Rs, .526 OBP, .469 SLG, and he already has 7 stolen bases.  He is on pace to steal over 80 bases so far.  I’m not saying he will get to that, or even close to that, but it is a great sign that he can still put the pressure on opposing teams with his legs, despite his age.  Podsednik has always been an underrated player in my book, as teams routinely let him slip through their fingers to other ballclubs.  The Royals are his fourth team in 10 years, with the White Sox letting him go even though last season he had a .304 BA, 7 HRs, 48 RBIs, 75 Rs, 30 SBs, .353 OBP, and a .412 SLG for the Sox.  The Royals obviously have to be happy they picked Podsednik up, especially since they got him for only $1.75 million this season.  Hopefully Podsednik can keep the injury bug away and his older legs don’t wear down as the it gets deeper into the season.  Either way, this is an amazing start for Podsednik.

The Yankees already now that they need a bump in the starting rotation and at catcher. Whispers have been heard around the league that the Yanks like Brian Bannister and catcher Miguel Olivo. 27-year old righty starting pitcher Brian Bannister has not pitched well lately. In his last 4 starts, Bannister is 0-2 with a 8.10 ERA and a 1.65 WHIP. Overall, Bannister has started 21 games for the Royals this season and he is 7-9 with a 5.40 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP. The Yankees are rumored to be willing to give up outfielder Melky Cabrera to get Bannister and that would be a move the Royals should jump at. That way they can start Cabrera in LF and move Mark Teahan to first base so that they can put Ross Gload on the bench where he belongs. Gload is a nice extra player to have on the bench but the more he plays, the more his weaknesses are exposed. The Yanks would also probably want Miguel Olivo in the trade as they are hurting behind the plate. Olivo has played in 58 games for the Royals this season and he is 51 for 207 (.246 avg, .725 OPS) with 18 runs scored, 9 homers and 29 RBIs.