Bear
11-09-2008, 11:12 AM
November 8, 2008
BY JOE COWLEY
Chicago Sun-Times.
The White Sox are poised to put the Joe Crede era behind them and become players in the first big acquisition of the offseason.
Agent Jaime Torres was informed by Major League Baseball on Friday that Cuban prodigy Dayan Viciedo has been cleared to be a free agent.
Let the bidding wars begin for the 19-year-old third baseman.
''I wanted it done last month,'' Torres said in a telephone interview about a timetable for Viciedo to be signed. ''I wanted him to play in Arizona Fall League to get ready. For several reasons that didn't happen, but that's OK. As it stands right now, I would like to have him signed and ready to go by the end of the month.''
If general manager Ken Williams has his wish, it will be with the Sox, filling a huge vacancy after Crede's expected departure.
There's a reason the South Side is becoming the new Little Havana; Williams first acquired Jose Contreras midway through the 2004 season, then signed Cuban defector Alexei Ramirez last offseason.
But in Viciedo, the Sox are looking to land the best player from that country since legend Omar Linares patrolled third base for the Cuban national team.
''He's not a regular ballplayer,'' said Torres, who also represents Ramirez and Contreras. ''If [Viciedo] was not from Cuba, he would be a middle linebacker in the NFL. But he's a ballplayer. He's very competitive and mature beyond his age.
''The young man, for a 19-year-old, the power he has, the hands he has, scouts have told me that there's no reason that he shouldn't be hitting 35-40 home runs a year.''
Torres wouldn't say what type of money he's seeking, but he expected two offers by Friday night and more after a scheduled workout Wednesday.
''He's done everything he needed,'' Torres said. ''I have not seen this much interest in a Cuban player since Jose.''
The Sox may have the inside track if they're close on the money. Ramirez and Contreras are proving to be very good recruiters, especially Ramirez, who knew Viciedo since he made the Cuban national team at age 15. By 16, Viciedo hit .337 with 14 home runs. He was in the 2006 World Baseball Classic, but didn't make the final team. Last May, Viciedo defected from Cuba with his family to Mexico, then ended up in Miami.
''[The Sox] have shown a lot of interest,'' Torres said. ''It seems they have done a lot of research. To be honest, they do have an edge having Alexei and Jose. If I were to tell you they didn't, I would be lying. They are an organization that got Alexei and are very happy. Chicago is a very attractive place.''
Williams spent the week at the GM meetings reportedly gauging the value of pitcher Javier Vazquez on the trade market. But adding Viciedo is a top priority.
''Dayan has been playing at the international level since 14,'' Torres said. ''Teams have scouted him since then, and several have even said to me, 'I don't need to see him play -- I just want to make sure he still has two arms and two legs.' That's how highly they think of him.
''This kid was going to be the Babe Ruth of Cuba in his country's eyes, and they were sad to lose him. He was the future of Cuban baseball.''
Are the Giants looking at this Kid and if they are not why not?
BY JOE COWLEY
Chicago Sun-Times.
The White Sox are poised to put the Joe Crede era behind them and become players in the first big acquisition of the offseason.
Agent Jaime Torres was informed by Major League Baseball on Friday that Cuban prodigy Dayan Viciedo has been cleared to be a free agent.
Let the bidding wars begin for the 19-year-old third baseman.
''I wanted it done last month,'' Torres said in a telephone interview about a timetable for Viciedo to be signed. ''I wanted him to play in Arizona Fall League to get ready. For several reasons that didn't happen, but that's OK. As it stands right now, I would like to have him signed and ready to go by the end of the month.''
If general manager Ken Williams has his wish, it will be with the Sox, filling a huge vacancy after Crede's expected departure.
There's a reason the South Side is becoming the new Little Havana; Williams first acquired Jose Contreras midway through the 2004 season, then signed Cuban defector Alexei Ramirez last offseason.
But in Viciedo, the Sox are looking to land the best player from that country since legend Omar Linares patrolled third base for the Cuban national team.
''He's not a regular ballplayer,'' said Torres, who also represents Ramirez and Contreras. ''If [Viciedo] was not from Cuba, he would be a middle linebacker in the NFL. But he's a ballplayer. He's very competitive and mature beyond his age.
''The young man, for a 19-year-old, the power he has, the hands he has, scouts have told me that there's no reason that he shouldn't be hitting 35-40 home runs a year.''
Torres wouldn't say what type of money he's seeking, but he expected two offers by Friday night and more after a scheduled workout Wednesday.
''He's done everything he needed,'' Torres said. ''I have not seen this much interest in a Cuban player since Jose.''
The Sox may have the inside track if they're close on the money. Ramirez and Contreras are proving to be very good recruiters, especially Ramirez, who knew Viciedo since he made the Cuban national team at age 15. By 16, Viciedo hit .337 with 14 home runs. He was in the 2006 World Baseball Classic, but didn't make the final team. Last May, Viciedo defected from Cuba with his family to Mexico, then ended up in Miami.
''[The Sox] have shown a lot of interest,'' Torres said. ''It seems they have done a lot of research. To be honest, they do have an edge having Alexei and Jose. If I were to tell you they didn't, I would be lying. They are an organization that got Alexei and are very happy. Chicago is a very attractive place.''
Williams spent the week at the GM meetings reportedly gauging the value of pitcher Javier Vazquez on the trade market. But adding Viciedo is a top priority.
''Dayan has been playing at the international level since 14,'' Torres said. ''Teams have scouted him since then, and several have even said to me, 'I don't need to see him play -- I just want to make sure he still has two arms and two legs.' That's how highly they think of him.
''This kid was going to be the Babe Ruth of Cuba in his country's eyes, and they were sad to lose him. He was the future of Cuban baseball.''
Are the Giants looking at this Kid and if they are not why not?