It looks White Sox brass has finally ended talks with Scott Podsednik on a permanent basis - at least when it concerns the 2010 season - since General Manager Kenny Williams acquired Juan Pierre from the Dodgers in a trade last week.

Pods had a nice season with the Sox last year. Who knows where the offense would have been without him. But he wanted more years and more money than the Sox were offering, so Williams and company went elsewhere.

The problem is although Pods had a nice season last year, he never in his career stayed healthy for five straight month like last season. He isn’t a very good fielder, and he can really kill a rally while running the bases.

Sure he is known as a speedy guy on the basepaths, and is an aggressive runner. Well, he will tell you he’s aggressive. I’d say he’s downright reckless at times.

He’s a nice player to have on your team, but as I said before, he is unreliable because of his history with injury.

I don’t begrudge Pods holding out. He had a very good year last year, and at age 34, I’m sure he’s thinking he won’t be offered too many more jobs. When your legs are your best asset, and you’re approaching your mid-30s, that asset isn’t going to be very special for much longer.

I think Williams made a nice move by getting Pierre here. He’s got a good track record of health, and he can cover more ground than Podsednik in left field. Plus he doesn’t prance around the outfield like Peter Pan as Pods was apt to do.

There were other names bandied about to take Scott’s place, but I think this move is clearly the best of the options I heard.

I will take Pierre over Coco Crisp and his mediocre batting average any day. I’ll take Pierre over Brett Gardner, if only Pierre has proved more as a Major Leaguer. Gardner might be a longer-term solution than Pierre, but I think the Sox are looking for Jordan Danks to make this squad in the next year or two to fill both an outfield spot and the leadoff batter roll.

Pierre had his best year in a long time with the Dodgers in 2009, playing in 145 games and averaging .308. He’s consistently been at the top of the majors when it comes to sacrifice hits and he knows how to bunt - which skipper Ozzie Guillen is going to love.

He isn’t the best at stealing bases, but I think I’d rather see good, aggressive base running than having a lot of stolen bases.

Not only can Sox fans get excited about watching him play this summer, they also can congratulate Kenny Williams for convincing the Dodgers to pay $10.5 million of his $18.5 million due during the next two seasons. Way to go Kenny!

Oh, and Sox fans, don’t listen to Cubs fans neighbors who will try to convince you Pierre’s a bum. They couldn’t wait to see him go after the 2006 season. All he did  that year was lead the majors in hits, played every single game, batted .292 and drove in 40 runs from the leadoff spot. I’ll take that bum if you don’t want him.

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