Sox sign Dayan Viciedo

[Texsox]

A couple people asked and I did not see an answer, my guess on pronunciation is

 

Viciedo

 

Vee-Cee-Ah`-though

 

The d at the end is tricky. We all know the spanish d from words like Durango, but it generally is softer at the end of a word. So kind of slip it between a d and a th

[DBAHO]

Cubano, what can you tell us about these guys again?

 

The Sox's pipeline to Cuba might not stop with Viciedo. Torres also represents left-hander Noel Arguellez and shortstop Jose Iglesias, who defected at the World Junior Championships in Edmonton last summer.

[Steve9347]

http://www.beyondtheboxscore.com/2008/11/2...ake-internation

 

White Sox Make International Splash

 

by R.J. Anderson on Nov 20, 2008 9:48 PM EST

 

The international amateur free agency game is a lot more fun than its domisticated big brother is right now. The White Sox appear close to ponying up 11 million dollars and a 40 man roster spot to 19-year-old Cuban defect Dayan Viciedo. If that comes to be, the Sox will have tapped into the same resource that landed them Alexei Ramirez not even a year ago, and Kenny Williams remains one of the most inconsistent general managers in the league.

 

Vicideo is a 19-year-old third baseman (who also played some right field) who defects after playing at the top Cuban level since age 16. Some have proclaimed him, "The Cuban Babe Ruth", and while that might be a stretch, Vicideo is an interesting prospect nonetheless, and while it is a bit hard to project his performance (and whether the price is justifiable), we can at least discuss the move in pure processes form.

 

Vicideo would be a top 10 selection in the amateur draft, assuming he grades out as well as recent selections like Mike Moustakas and Josh Vitters. His price is almost four times what Vitters received, but keep in mind; this is on the open market. Moreso, it is only one million less than what Jon Garland made in 2008. Moving forward, is there anyone who would take Garland over Vicideo?

 

With such, I must applaud the White Sox. Especially for paying the price to acquire Viciedo and amateur talent overall, even while they're seemingly going to trade one of their older bats in order to free up some major league payroll. Some teams would've taken the 11 mil, kept their elders intact and signed another free agent or two and focused only on the now. Thankfully, we aren't talking about Ed Wade or Houston, but instead a sometimes sly, sometimes straight up questionable Kenny Williams.

 

Whether Vicideo is the next Adrian Beltre or not is irrelevant. Sure, it makes Williams look better if he is, but either way the move is a smart one. Spending money on good amateur talent is a lot smarter than spending money on mediocre veterans.

[lostfan]

This signing is HUGE. He is a big-time insurance policy against a potential Josh Fields failure. In the event Fields doesn't fail (and assuming Viciedo pans out), there is still space for him on this team in the very near future. This team is loaded with young talent now, so if we can shore up the pitching and GET A REAL LEADOFF HITTER we're looking at pennant contention.

[southsideirish71]

This is great news. I have to give Kenny credit. He pretty much is one of the few GMs that has been able to be creative in bringing in talented youth, without a long drawn out rebuilding project Kudos to him. This is very nice.

 

 

 

[caulfield12]

"Thankfully, we aren't talking about Ed Wade or Houston, but instead a sometimes sly, sometimes straight up questionable Kenny Williams."

"inconsistent"

 

Well, geez, what GM is always consistent and never deviates from a straight-forward path?? This criticism is a little bit ridiculous to me...I mean, some of these writers are still stuck in "Moneyball" thinking about KW and conveniently have already forgotten the 2005 season and some of his recent masterful moves (Quentin, Ramirez, Floyd, Danks, Thornton) because they're too bent on beating the two Swisher deals to death.

 

Simply, the White Sox weren't doing well in either the draft (partly because of positioning, partly due to the department itself, Wilder, etc.) and they weren't getting much of anything out of Venezuela or the Domincan. Hence, we've explored two new markets in Japan and Cuba...and potentially more from Taiwan/China. Heck, Anderson Gomes is Brazilian, correct?

Edited November 21, 2008 by caulfield12

[Texsox]

"Thankfully, we aren't talking about Ed Wade or Houston, but instead a sometimes sly, sometimes straight up questionable Kenny Williams."

"inconsistent"

 

Well, geez, what GM is always consistent and never deviates from a straight-forward path?? This criticism is a little bit ridiculous to me...I mean, some of these writers are still stuck in "Moneyball" thinking about KW and conveniently have already forgotten the 2005 season and some of his recent masterful moves (Quentin, Ramirez, Floyd, Danks, Thornton) because they're too bent on beating the two Swisher deals to death.

 

Simply, the White Sox weren't doing well in either the draft (partly because of positioning, partly due to the department itself, Wilder, etc.) and they weren't getting much of anything out of Venezuela or the Domincan. Hence, we've explored two new markets in Japan and Cuba...and potentially more from Taiwan/China. Heck, Anderson Gomes is Brazilian, correct?

 

I don't see inconsistent, in this context, as a criticism. Perhaps unpredictable, or surprising would have been better terms to use and without what has become a negative connotation to inconsistent.

[Steve9347]

"Thankfully, we aren't talking about Ed Wade or Houston, but instead a sometimes sly, sometimes straight up questionable Kenny Williams."

"inconsistent"

 

Well, geez, what GM is always consistent and never deviates from a straight-forward path?? This criticism is a little bit ridiculous to me...I mean, some of these writers are still stuck in "Moneyball" thinking about KW and conveniently have already forgotten the 2005 season and some of his recent masterful moves (Quentin, Ramirez, Floyd, Danks, Thornton) because they're too bent on beating the two Swisher deals to death.

 

Simply, the White Sox weren't doing well in either the draft (partly because of positioning, partly due to the department itself, Wilder, etc.) and they weren't getting much of anything out of Venezuela or the Domincan. Hence, we've explored two new markets in Japan and Cuba...and potentially more from Taiwan/China. Heck, Anderson Gomes is Brazilian, correct?

That really didn't seem like a critical article.

[daa84]

im happy we signed this guy, but why the hell are we willing to throw 11 mil at virtually unknown cuban players and yet won't deal out money in the draft to guys like Porcello? I understand high school players like Rick are unknown as well, but it just seems silly to me....i guess its because during the draft we have an opportunity to take another player who may be close to as good for alot cheaper, but still....either way i like to see money invested in acquiring young players...its partially how the red sox have been built into what they are

Edited November 21, 2008 by daa84

[DukeNukeEm]

I think Kenny has a much easier time dealing with Torres than he does Boras.

[Texsox]

Unknown, foreign players sell more hope and therefor season tickets.

[lostfan]

I think Kenny has a much easier time dealing with Torres than he does Boras.

Beat me to it, it's no accident that Danks was signed after he dumped Boras.

[southsider2k5]

im happy we signed this guy, but why the hell are we willing to throw 11 mil at virtually unknown cuban players and yet won't deal out money in the draft to guys like Porcello? I understand high school players like Rick are unknown as well, but it just seems silly to me....i guess its because during the draft we have an opportunity to take another player who may be close to as good for alot cheaper, but still....either way i like to see money invested in acquiring young players...its partially how the red sox have been built into what they are

 

Because Jerry isn't going to violate slot bonuses because of his handshake agreement with the commish.

[Steve9347]

im happy we signed this guy, but why the hell are we willing to throw 11 mil at virtually unknown cuban players and yet won't deal out money in the draft to guys like Porcello? I understand high school players like Rick are unknown as well, but it just seems silly to me....i guess its because during the draft we have an opportunity to take another player who may be close to as good for alot cheaper, but still....either way i like to see money invested in acquiring young players...its partially how the red sox have been built into what they are

Porcello did sign for 11.1 mill, while Viciedo signed for 11 mill.

 

I didn't understand it at the time, and Porcello would sure look good in our system. I believe the franchise did exactly what you state, thought they could get a relatively similar player for cheaper.

 

However, as I said the day we drafted him, Poreda is going to be a reliever, while Porcello looks to be a future ace or at worst #2 starter.

 

You get what you pay for...

 

Because Jerry isn't going to violate slot bonuses because of his handshake agreement with the commish.

That too.

Edited November 21, 2008 by Steve9347

[DBAHO]

For those who may compare him to Kendry Morales;

 

But Ramirez's evaluation carries weight, especially because the Sox backed off Kendry Morales in 2004 after surveying players familiar with the Cuban slugger.

 

Morales went on to sign a six-year contract with the Los Angeles Angels, who then waived Bobby Jenks to make room for Morales on their 40-man roster. The Sox claimed Jenks and transformed him into a successful closer.

[daa84]

Because Jerry isn't going to violate slot bonuses because of his handshake agreement with the commish.

i understand thats part of it...and thats really what my frustration goes back to...if kenny isn't gonna do it, but he sits there and watches the red sox, tigers, dodgers and other teams do it over and over and over again, he is leaving himself at a competitive disadvantage

[BFirebird]

Definitely worth the risk....the future is looking brighter and brighter on the South Side.

[Texsox]

he is leaving himself at a competitive disadvantage

 

Like evaluating the agent before the player

[Chisoxfn]

What is the name of that Korean pitcher?

Po-Yu-Lin I believe.

[Texsox]

Po-Yu Lin.

 

 

Po-Yu-Lin I believe.

Man, he doesn't even read his own boards

[RockRaines]

Fields needs to fix the hitch in his swing which causes him to be slow on fastballs.

 

Hawk and Ed Farmer both mentioned it last year, so hopefully Walker does as well and can fix it, right?

 

 

 

 

Yeah.

 

I'm not holding my breath, either.

His hitch is about 90 percent of his problem. He loads up his bat WAAAAAAYYYYYY too long. If he learned to cut it down even a little, he would make much more contact with about the same power.

[southsider2k5]

i understand thats part of it...and thats really what my frustration goes back to...if kenny isn't gonna do it, but he sits there and watches the red sox, tigers, dodgers and other teams do it over and over and over again, he is leaving himself at a competitive disadvantage

 

His hands are tied there. I would bet money that comes from upstairs from JR himself.

[caulfield12]

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3716458

 

I thought the deal was for five years, not four...interesting. Well, that really means KW is serious about them pushing this kid to make some contributions no later than 2010 but more probably in 2009.

 

The kid becomes a free agent, essentially, at age 23/24...which is more or less what he was a week or so ago, I guess.

[Steve9347]

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3716458

 

I thought the deal was for five years, not four...interesting. Well, that really means KW is serious about them pushing this kid to make some contributions no later than 2010 but more probably in 2009.

 

The kid becomes a free agent, essentially, at age 23/24...which is more or less what he was a week or so ago, I guess.

FWIW, ESPN is the only outlet reporting 4 years, so they could simply be mistaken.

[Flash Tizzle]

Where's Flash? He's always complained about our scouting in Latin America. We're getting Cuba's best players.

Yeah, I have complained for years about our lack of success in scouting and developing Latin American talent. I believe with the Dave Wilder fiasco and lack of success in developing even relievers/4th OFs those complaints were justified.

 

With this signing, I don't look at it any differently than a draft pick. I love the article posted earlier questioning Viciedo's weight gain. Have these scouts seen Brett Wallace lately? They call him the Walrus for a reason. If anything, the strength and conditioning coaches available to the White Sox organization should help him get into shape. As I'm sure St Louis will do with the disgusting fatbody Wallace.

 

Felix Hernandez grew up idolizing Freddy Garcia, and it certaintly helped Seattle (even if only a little) in signing him. If young Cubans are growing up watching their countries best talent playing for the White Sox, you hope that one day when a once-in-a-generation talent comes along we'll have an edge. Sure, money will ultimately dictate a player's destination more than which team they root for, but I'd like to believe we're doing a lot to create good will among Cuban baseball players.

 

I actually believe Fidel Castro is helping us. If Cuba wasn't a socialist state every major league ballclub would have already set up training academies for youth players. There's the obvious disadvantage here that, in players like Dayan Vicideo, he would have alreay been signed as a 16 year old. With how everything is run in Cuba they can develop as players before their attempts at defecting into America. Everyone has an opportunity to sign them, with atleast a little more certainty in your investment than a raw teenager who can hit the ball 400ft.

Edited November 21, 2008 by Flash Tizzle