The White Sox reduced their total of arbitration-eligible players to five by agreeing to terms with outfielder Dayan Viciedo on a one-year, $4.4 million contract.
Viciedo, 25, hit .231 with 21 home runs, 58 RBIs and 65 runs scored over 145 games in 2014. The 5-foot-11, 240-pound Viciedo set career highs in runs scored, extra-base hits (46), walks (32) and at-bats (523). The power-packed outfielder wasn’t pegged as a starter at the season’s outset, scheduled at best to split time in left field with left-handed-hitting Alejandro De Aza.
But when Avisail Garcia suffered a torn labrum and avulsion fracture in his left shoulder diving for a fly ball to right field April 9 in Colorado, Viciedo was elevated into everyday playing time. Now the question for Viciedo, who has played third base, left field, right field, first base and served as designated hitter during his five-year-stint in Chicago, is how does he fit on the revamped 2015 squad?
Melky Cabrera, Adam Eaton and a healthy Garcia make up the White Sox outfield from left to right, with Jose Abreu and Adam LaRoche set to split time between first base and DH. Viciedo could become a power luxury off the bench, especially against southpaws, a possibility that exists with a super-utility player such as Emilio Bonifacio now in the fold and able to cover so many positions defensively.
Then again, Viciedo is not known for his glove or his speed, which often become valuable assets for a reserve outfielder. The White Sox could continue to try to move the right-handed hitter and find a better fit elsewhere.
For his career, Viciedo has a .254 average with 66 home runs and 211 RBIs in 483 games. He has hit 20-plus homers three times in the last four seasons.
Agencies/MLB.com/Scott Merkin/InternetPHotos/TheCubanHistory.com
The Cuban History, Hollywood.
Arnoldo Varona, Editor
CUBA PHOTOS.
DEPORTES: DAYAN VICIEDO nuevo contrato con Chicago’ White Sox.
Los Medias Blancas de Chicago llegaron a un acuerdo por 4,4 millones de dólares para que el jardinero cubano Dayán Viciedo juegue durante un año más en sus filas, con lo que evitaron el arbitraje salarial, reporta la AP.
Viciedo bateó para .231 con 21 jonrones y 56 impulsadas en 145 encuentros de la campaña anterior. El pelotero de 25 años acumula en su carrera un promedio de .254, 66 cuadrangulares y 211 producidas a lo largo de cinco temporadas, todas con los Medias Blancas.
El club anunció el contrato el lunes. A los Medias Blancas les quedan cinco jugadores que podrían recurrir al arbitraje salarial, incluidos el receptor Tyler Flowers y cuatro lanzadores derechos: Javy Guerra, Nate Jones, Jeff Samardzija y el dominicano Héctor Noesí.
Agencies/MLB.com/Scott Merkin/InternetPHotos/TheCubanHistory.com
The Cuban History, Hollywood.
Arnoldo Varona, Editor.