"Veteran outfielder Juan Pierre inked a minor-league deal with the Phillies on Friday, adding yet another name to the battle for the final bench spot in 2012.

Pierre, 34, hit .279 with 50 RBI and 27 stolen bases in 158 games for the White Sox last season and will get his chance to win a roster spot with the Phillies this spring. One of baseball's best stolen-base threats throughout his career, Pierre has swiped at least 40 bags in nine of his 12 big-league seasons, including 68 steals for the White Sox in 2010. Pierre is also among the riskiest runners, too. He's led the league in caught stealing seven times — including being gunned down on 17 of his 44 attempts last year.

Pierre likely enters spring as the most likely candidate to become the Phillies' fifth outfielder, with fellow nonroster invitee Scott Podsednik and former top prospect Domonic Brown also in contention."