Agent: White Sox, Viciedo reach deal

11/20/08 8:08 PM EST
Agent: White Sox, Viciedo reach deal
Free-agent third baseman, 19, defected from Cuba in May

By Kelly Thesier / MLB.com

The White Sox contingent of Cuban players looks to be growing.

Jaime Torres, the agent of 19-year-old third baseman Dayan Viciedo, told MLB.com on Thursday night that his client and the White Sox have reached an agreement on a contract, pending a physical. Terms of the contract are not known, including its length, but reports have speculated it is worth around $11 million over four years.

White Sox general manager Kenny Williams would not comment.

Viciedo, who defected from Cuba with his family in May and was recently declared a free agent, is considered to be a five-tool talent and played for the Cuban national team beginning when he was 14. Yet, like most young talent, he's expected to be a bit raw.

Viciedo worked out last week in the Dominican Republic for a number of interested teams, including the White Sox.

By signing with the Sox, Viciedo will join an organization that already features two Cubans on its Major League roster -- Alexei Ramirez and Jose Contreras. Ramirez, who signed a four-year, $4.75 million contract with the Sox as a free agent last December, finished second in the 2008 American League Rookie of the Year voting.

Torres, who also represents Ramirez and Contreras, has said previously that he believes his client is ready to step into the big leagues. But at 19, it's not a certainty that Viciedo would break camp with the Sox this spring.

Williams has repeatedly said that Josh Fields will be the starting third baseman in 2009. Williams also has indicated that recently acquired Wilson Betemit will at least provide backup at the position, but could possibly challenge Fields for the spot.

Kelly Thesier is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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