The White Sox have avoided arbitration with left fielder Dayan Viciedo by signing him to a one-year deal worth $2.8MM, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post (on Twitter). MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz projected that the Scott Boras client would earn exactly $2.8MM via arbitration.
Viciedo saw his power drop substantially in 2013 — his age-24 season. After clubbing 25 homers and posting a strong .188 isolated power mark (slugging percentage minus batting average) in 2012, Viciedo's homer total fell to 14, and his ISO dropped to .161. Overall, he batted .265/.304/.426 in 473 plate appearances with the Sox.
The White Sox control Viciedo through the 2017 season, meaning he will be arbitration eligible three more times as a Super Two player. The arbitration process will continue to reward his power totals, meaning he'll need to show some improved on-base skills and/or improved defense in order to avoid becoming a non-tender candidate in the future.
Matt Swartz must get tons of chicks, being so accurate and all.
‘The arbitration process will continue to reward his power totals, meaning he’ll need to show some improved on-base skills and/or improved defense in order to avoid becoming a non-tender candidate in the future.’
^Sounds like the arbitration process is flawed more than I thought…
It’s suuuuuper flawed. Extremely narrow view of the wrong stats. And essentially guaranteed raises regardless of performance.
So he hits 14 home runs, no stolen bases, does not hit for average, does not get on base, does not even hit for power, and plays horrible defense. Yet he gets paid 2.8 million. That makes sense. I wonder when the white sox will give up on him?