Viciedo signs with the ChiSox

by Adam J. Morris on Nov 21, 2008 9:06 AM CST

There was some talk a little while back about how the Rangers should maybe go hard after 19 year old Cuban defector Dayan Viciedo, a third base prospect who was an international free agent.

Well, he's signed with the ChiSox...he got a major league deal and 4 years, $11 million.

Cuban defectors have generally been pretty shaky investments in the past, and this is a lot of money (not to mention a 40 man spot) for a 19 year old who, one would think, isn't going to be major league ready for a couple of years.

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hey

do you know when the next podcast will go up?

Jindal '12

by Longhorn on Nov 21, 2008 9:14 AM CST reply actions

Price

I agree, the price is way too high. I think a Major League deal might be fair, but considering he’ll probably be optioned those first couple of years, the $11MM is too much.

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by Andy Seiler on Nov 21, 2008 9:16 AM CST reply actions

my understanding after looking into him right after he defected

when he was younger (16ish?) he was supposed to be THE next great cuban talent, but evidently the stats were lacking – and i also read he was somewhat over weight/lazy and not a very good defender at SS and probably not that close to the majors

Scout: He was a first-round pick right? Got a huge bonus?
KG: Oh yeah.
Scout: Well, he spent a lot of it on milkshakes.

by knockoutking on Nov 21, 2008 9:26 AM CST reply actions

this is a case

of a team striking gold once and hoping foolishly it will happen again. all of the scouting reports on this kid have been lukewarm, and yet they are willing to give him a ML deal and 2.25M/yr to develop in the minors. By the time he is ready, he will probably have only one or two years left, at most, and that is if he is ever really ML ready.

by clark on Nov 21, 2008 9:47 AM CST reply actions

cool

guess this is one mistake we don’t have to worry about aking this offseason.

"Anyone that isn't pro-choice never met you" ~Brian Thomas on Seth...

by ivysafety39 on Nov 21, 2008 10:32 AM CST reply actions

You know

It kind of seems that’s the way the offseason has gone so far. Our opportunities for a mistake keep getting whittled down… I’m hoping it will eventually lead to a good move or two.

"Somewhere out there, between 14-32 BBWAA NL MVP voters are trying to get cheaper winter heating by drilling a hole in the microwave." - Jeff at LoL

by LSJ on Nov 21, 2008 10:48 AM CST up reply actions

Honestly, on my team...

The roster spot would worry me more than the money. Realistically, for a MLB Team, 2.25 M/Y is a drop in the bucket, less than we paid Ben Broussard, Jason Jennings, Frank Catalanatto, etc. this season. And if you think there’s a chance that he genuinely contributes for at least 2 of the seasons, then the money is really no big deal.

Now, if he’s a washout or not near as good as advertised, that’s another thing altogether.

by vfn on Nov 21, 2008 11:07 AM CST reply actions