"The Phillies have spent the off-season remaking their bench and it might not be over yet.

Baseball sources say the team has been engaged in "serious discussions" with free-agent outfielder Juan Pierre about a minor-league deal.

At the winter meetings, Phillies front office adviser Pat Gillick said the team wanted to add some speed to its bench. Former American League stolen base champ Scott Podsednik will be in camp as a non-roster player. If Pierre signs, he could battle Podsednik for the fifth outfielder's job. Pierre is a former National League stolen base champ. It should be pointed out that Podsednik will turn 36 in March and has had foot problems in recent seasons. Pierre is 34. Neither player runs like he used to, but both could be intriguing off the bench.

Pierre spent last season as the Chicago White Sox' regular leftfielder. He hit.279 with a .329 on-base percentage in 158 games."