Was this final Sox home game for Dye, Podsednik?

Posted September 27, 2009 11:00 pm

Scot Gregor

If it was indeed their last appearance at U.S. Cellular Field, at least outfielders Jermaine Dye and Scott Podsednik walked away winners.

That was assured when the White Sox won their final home game of the season, an 8-4 decision over the first-place Detroit Tigers on Sunday.

What's not assured are Dye and Podsednik's futures on the South Side. Both are eligible for free agency at the end of the season.

Dye, who has slumped badly in the second half (.177, 7 HR, 23 RBI), seems most likely to move on.

"I've enjoyed my five years here," Dye said before going 1-for-4 and driving in his 79th run of the year. "If this is my last time going out on this field as a home guy, then I had a great time here and enjoyed it, won a World Series, the fans were great.

"Everything about Chicago is awesome. It's been a great town."

While his skills appeared to erode over the past three months, the 35-year-old Dye still has value and likely would be pursued by several teams as a free agent.

The 2005 World Series MVP again said Sunday he wants to finish his career with the White Sox.

"I haven't really talked to (general manager) Kenny (Williams) yet," Dye said. "I don't know if we'll wait until the season is over, we'll see each other in Arizona or whatever, but we do have a great relationship. They're going to have to have their meetings and re-evaluate and see where they want to take this team.

"He knows what my mind-set is, and hopefully we can get something done."

As for Podsednik, he was 2-for-4 Sunday, raising his batting average to .303.

With first-round draft choice Jared Mitchell likely in need of another full season in the minor leagues, it makes sense for the Sox to bring Podsednik back in 2010.

"This was a perfect opportunity for me," said Podsednik, another 2005 World Series hero who was re-signed by the Sox in mid-April after being released by the Colorado Rockies at the end of spring training.

"I'm fortunate Kenny gave me the opportunity to play. I consider myself lucky. There's a lot of players at Triple-A who could probably play at this level but just never get the opportunity. I'd like to come back, but who knows? A lot of things can happen."

Like Dye and Podsednik, White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen has no idea what Williams has planned this off-season.

"J.D. is in my top two favorite players I ever managed," Guillen said. "I hope it's not the end for us,

"I don't know. I think Podsednik did something we never thought he was going to do, come back and have the year he had. Do we want him back? Yes. Is he going to come back? I don't know."

Gregor's game tracker First for Hudson: Rookie righty Daniel Hudson pitched 6 innings and gave up 2 runs on 3 hits to earn his first major-league win. The 22-year-old starter has allowed just 3 earned runs over 11 innings in 2 starts with the White Sox, but he has issued 9 walks. Wrap it up: After the Sox finished with a 43-38 home record, rookie third baseman Gordon Beckham grabbed a microphone and thanked the fans for their support while promising a better effort in 2010. Too little, too late? Jermaine Dye's run-scoring single in the sixth inning was his fifth RBI in the last four games. White Sox scouting report White Sox vs. Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field TV: Channel 26 Monday; Comcast SportsNet Tuesday-Wednesday Radio: WSCR 670-AM Pitching matchups: The Sox' John Danks (12-10) vs. Aaron Laffey (7-7) Monday; Carlos Torres (1-1) vs. Justin Masterson (1-6) Tuesday; Jake Peavy (2-0) vs. Fausto Carmona (4-12) Wednesday. All games 6:05 p.m. At a glance: After closing out the home portion of the schedule with a series win over the first-place Tigers, the White Sox step down in class vs. the Indians, who are trying to hold off the last-place Royals in the AL Central. Torres steps in for Mark Buehrle, who still might start the final game of the season, at Detroit Sunday. The Sox are 8-7 vs. Cleveland this season (4-2 at Progressive Field). Next: Detroit Tigers, Friday-Sunday at Comerica Park