SURPRISE, Ariz. — It’s no surprise the Royals had veteran outfielder Scott Podsednik near the top of their free-agent wish list in the offseason. Very simply, they wanted Podsednik to do to others what he’s done to them.

"He sees a lot of pitches," manager Trey Hillman said in launching into a litany. "He gets into a two-strike count, and he has the ability, because of his approach and his mechanics, of being able to spoil a nasty pitch to get to the next pitch.

"Obviously, he’s a force on the base paths. And he’s got a lot of experience. He’s coming off one of his most productive major-league seasons."

Podsednik batted .373 last season against the Royals with a .397 on-base percentage in 14 games. His 29 total bases were his highest total against any opponent. Heck, he even went eight for 14 against Cy Young winner Zack Greinke, with four doubles and a triple.

You bet the Royals wanted Podsednik.

Other teams — such as the White Sox, Giants, Cubs and Tigers — expressed interest, but the Royals pushed, pushed hard and kept pushing. They were determined to upgrade their team speed and outfield defense. They also needed a leadoff hitter.

And they saw Podsednik, who turns 34 in eight days, as someone who checked off all boxes.

General manager Dayton Moore placed a call soon after Podsednik officially became a free agent in November. Hillman made the journey up from his home near Austin, Texas, to have lunch with Podsednik, his wife and infant daughter.

"The Royals were the most aggressive (team)," Podsednik acknowledged, "and I liked what they had to say. ... They made me feel wanted. The communication opened up pretty quickly, and we were able to work out a deal."

That happened in early January when Podsednik signed a one-year deal for a guaranteed $1.75 million that includes a club option at $2 million in 2011. Doing so capped a whirlwind nine months in which he resuscitated his career.

Podsednik was unemployed when last season started after being released by Colorado on April 1. What followed were two long weeks at home before a former team, the White Sox, offered a minor-league deal.

"I still felt that I could go out and compete at this level," he said, "but I never knew if I was going to get another shot to play. I’m just fortunate and a little lucky that opportunity came up for me to go out and play."

Podsednik was an all-star in 2005 when he helped the White Sox win their only World Series title since 1917. He is a former stolen-base champion in the National League and, at the time, owned a .271 career average in eight seasons.

He swallowed his pride and reported to Class AAA Charlotte, although he stayed there just 10 games before joining the White Sox. He soon began tormenting the Royals and just about everyone else.

Podsednik led the club with a .304 average and 48 multi-hit games. His 30 steals ranked eighth in the league and marked his highest total in three years. It’s also more than any Royal since Carlos Beltran swiped 41 in 2003.

It was a notable revival for Podsednik, who batted just .256 during 2006-08.

"I wasn’t healthy in ’06 and ’07," he said. "I just didn’t get a big opportunity with Colorado in ’08. So most importantly, I’m healthy again. If you look back on my career, and look at the years when I’ve been healthy, I’ve competed at a pretty decent level."

Podsednik battled hip and rib-cage problems through 2007, which prompted him to overhaul his offseason conditioning program. A broken baby finger caused him to miss nearly a month in 2008 with Colorado.

"I’ve been working with a guy in Fort Worth named Erick Minor now for three years," he said.

"He addressed a lot of issues with me that I was suffering with. I had some weaknesses in some areas that I needed to clean up.

"I feel like I’m rebuilt, so to speak."

The Royals are betting he’s right.