ChiSox Swap Cheap For Not-So-Cheap

Kenny Williams continues to confuse:

The Chicago White Sox acquired outfielder Juan Pierre from the Los Angeles Dodgers for two minor leaguers and cash.

Of the $18.5 million left on Pierre's contract, the White Sox will pay $3 million in 2010 and $5 million in 2011, sources said.

Pierre will be Chicago's leadoff hitter and it likely means Scott Podsednik will not return to the South Side.

The Dodgers will select two pitching prospects from a list furnished by the White Sox, a source told ESPN.com's Jayson Stark. The names on the list are all pitchers who could reach the big leagues by 2010, the source said.

The deal was first reported by Yahoo! Sports

Scott Podsednik isn't exactly a good player, despite all of the fantasy love he received awhile back for his stolen bases.  You can't really blame the White Sox if they sever ties with him. But what is to be gained with Juan Pierre?  The ChiSox will pay Pierre $8 million over the next two years.  Podsednik made $500,000 last season.  Podsednik is 34 this season, Pierre 32. Their stats over the last three years? Pierre AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB HBP SO SB CS AVG OBP SLG OPS Total 1423 197 419 50 18 1 100 82 17 88 134 39 .294 .339 .357 .696 Podsednik AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB HBP SO SB CS AVG OBP SLG OPS Total 913 127 256 46 11 10 74 68 8 138 54 22 .280 .335 .388 .723 Podsednik obviously suffers from less playing time but that would seem to be because his teams had better options than him.  Outside of stolen bases and 17 months difference in age, there doesn't seem to be much to be gained by adding Pierre except the long lost hope that his first half of 2009 will be his entire 2010 season. Remember way back when?  Manny Ramirez was suspended for steroids and everyone sung the praises of Juan Pierre for stepping up and helping the Dodgers right the ship in Manny's absence? Pierre the first two months: Split BA OBP SLG OPS BAbip April/March .400 .455 .450 .905 .421 May .369 .435 .505 .940 .410 Pierre after: Split BA OBP SLG OPS BAbip June .264 .319 .309 .628 .282 July .268 .286 .317 .603 .289 August .366 .413 .439 .852 .375 Sept/Oct .228 .302 .333 .635 .241 It's amazing what a little bit of luck on you BAbip can do for your reputation. I don't know what Podsednik is going to make if he plays but I'm pretty sure it's not going to be the $3 million that the ChiSox are paying Juan Pierre this season or the $5 million they'll pay him next year.  It will be much, much less. Considering that the Dodgers are paying $10.5 million to have Pierre

not

play for them... well, you have to wonder when the White Sox will start to wise up.