The White Sox and Mariners have discussed a deal involving outfielder Dayan Viciedo, Bruce Levine of CBSChicago.com reports. The White Sox are not actively looking to trade Viciedo, although they are willing to take calls on him, Levine notes. Levine suggests that the White Sox might want to receive a left-handed potential power hitter in return.
The Mariners admire Viciedo's talent and are looking to add a right-handed hitter to their lineup. Viciedo will make $2.8MM in 2014, and will not be eligible for free agency until after the 2017 season.
Viciedo hit .265/.304/.426 in 473 plate appearances for the White Sox last season, a disappointing year, given that Viciedo is not a plus defensive outfielder. (As the Seattle Times' Jerry Brewer recently noted, the Mariners struggled with outfield defense last season. Viciedo would be unlikely to help in that area.) The Mariners are currently slated to go with an outfield mix of Dustin Ackley, Abraham Almonte, Michael Saunders, Corey Hart, Logan Morrison and perhaps Endy Chavez or another bench candidate, with Hart and Morrison also receiving time at first base and DH.
Nick Franklin and Jesus Montero would be nice
He’s a hacker with a .306 career OBP, negative defensive value, already making 3m. I doubt he’s going to bring the Chisox back a middle infielder who is in demand in return and then more.
Seeing as Tyler Flowers is better than Montero and Beckham is better than Franklin how would that deal make sense?
Um, Beckham isn’t so hot and Franklin’s only had what 1/2 a year in the majors. It would be potential upside versus known bust. Personally, I’ll take the upside.
Franklin’s way more valuable than Beckham, given where they are in their respective careers.
Franklin is better than Beckham but a pot of flowers is better than Montero.
Chris Sale would be nice too.
Without intending to insult Chisox fans, Sale and a couple of other SP (Santana, Santiago) along with Reed are about all that the White Sox have that the M’s could use and they are not trading Reed, Sale and doubtful on the other 2.
Addison Reed is on the Arizona Diamondbacks and Hector Santiago is on the Anaheim Angels and who is Santana?
Thanks for that. Pitching (with Iwakuma out a bit) and Walker, Paxton maybe not ready until May are the real needs other than an impact bat for the mariners.
I don’t see an impact bat, or real protective type player on the Chisox roster. Dunn? Sure, he could help some, but he’s still owed 15m and the M’s already have several guys to revolve around the DH/1b slot in Smoak, Hart, LoMo, even Montero.
Really don’t think the 2 teams match up.
You realize that Montero can’t play catcher and I wouldn’t even count on him to be a major league DH. The dude showed up to camp weighing almost 300 pounds and saying he didn’t do anything in the offseason but eat. This after getting suspended 50 games last year for PEDs (which didn’t help because he had a horrible year.) Montero for a Ozzie Guilen bobblehead and half-off pizza coupon would be an overpayment by the Sox.
I see Viciedo as the heir apparent to Dunn once he and his contract goes. I doubt the Sox will just give him away. He also has a wrist or hand injury last season which I think messed him up for most of the season.
Viciedo doesn’t know how to take a walk. He’s got a long way to go to be an heir apparent to Dunn.
Not to speak for the dude, but I think he might have been referencing the DH position.
I was referring to him replacing Dunn in the DH spot.
Poor fit for Seattle. An outfielder at Safeco needs to have + defensive abilities and his .265 would, more than likely, project at .230-.240. Jack Z. has proven time and again that he’s not a very good GM at trading and I believe that unless it’s a couple minor leaguers, this would just add to Jack’s “legacy”.
What? Why would his avg drop? Because he’s playing at Safeco field? He’s a career .260 hitter that hit 9 of his 14 home runs on the road. Not sure how he’s considered a poor fit when the Mariners used 40 year old Raul Ibanez everyday at left field last year.
Watch this board for the hours to come and you will see what the majority have to say about this possibility. Viciedo is not a good fit in Seattle.
I agree strongly with you. If this trade goes down, it’s further proof that Jack Z has no idea how to evaluate MLB talent. He seems to draft okay, but that’s about it.
Viciedo’s fly ball rate actually isn’t that high, so he probably wouldn’t be hurt by Safeco all that much. Thing is he’s still pretty average either way you look at it. Maybe they’re thinking he’s due to break out???
Watch this board for the hours to come and you will see what the majority have to say about this possibility. Viciedo is not a good fit in Seattle.
And Ibanez was a defensive disaster.
Viciedo’s average would likely drop because the left field and particularly left center dimensions are larger than most places, and a prevailing wind coming through the stadium is from left to right field. Lots of fly balls die out there.
Nobody’s saying Ibanez was a successful outfielder, are they? Park factors is something to consider, and as Ibanez made clear, defense IS important. That’s the point here.
The M’s collectively proved HR’s mean little, regardless of where, if they can’t manufacture runs any other way.
Unfortunately I don’t think Jack Z. sees the value in defense. If he did he wouldn’t be counting on Corey Hart to be a regular outfielder. He’s amassing a roster of Cano and a bunch of DH’s.
Nobody’s saying Ibanez was a successful outfielder, are they? Park factors is something to consider, and as Ibanez made clear, defense IS important. That’s the point here.
The M’s collectively proved HR’s mean little, regardless of where, if they can’t manufacture runs any other way.
Because the Mariners don’t have enough defensively limited corner outfielders already…
? Heh?
Woops.
They have one in Hart, and that’s if his knees are bad and he doesn’t DH. He was an average defender in Milwaukee. Ackley is fast and has potenial to be a good defender in LF. Almonte/Saunders are both good defenders in the corners.
Because the Mariners don’t have enough defensively limited corner outfielders already…
I don’t think this is a very good idea for either side, but especially the Mariners.
If you thought Viciedo was a poor OF in little US Cellular, wait til you see him ‘prowl’ the spacious Safeco OF. Furthermore, his swing-for-the-fences approach at the plate will translate very poorly to that ballpark and will result in a lot of flyballs that end up nestled in OFer’s gloves.
Dayan should be praying he doesn’t end up there.
De Aza would be a better fit, IMO.
Viciedo is like a worse hitting version of Corey Hart. No thanks.
Rather trade for de aza
The Mariners need a center fielder. What they don’t need, is another corner outfielder with little or no defensive value. If Smoak or Morrison went away, fine, but they still need that center fielder. Saunders and Ackley are better served in the corners and Almonte, though promising, is still unproven and could certainly improve on his throws. Hart should see more time as the DH.
Viciedo hit’s lefties real well. He could be useful in a platoon role–offensively. But the M’s can’t keep filling holes with incomplete players. They don’t have a good balance of talent that can be used for maximum production, like what the A’s have.
This is what happens when a GM upgrades areas that weren’t bad while ignoring the larger areas of need.
Hey Stevil. I’m still questioning that Morrison deal.
Maybe the mets want Franklin and Viciedo.
Mariners get Lagares and Rafael Montero.
Nah. Lame deal for the M’s. We can do better simply by keeping Franklin, and of course by trading him for better players.
And the Sox get?
Jesus Montero and prospects
You’re killing the M’s in this deal.
There is no way the M’s give up Montero OR Franklin for Viciedo….both are right-handed hitters (Franklin is only 23, highly regarded as a prospect, and a switch hitter), which is what they are looking for. Franklin alone would be a severe over-pay. It’s more likely to be one of their LH hitters, probably Morrison (Saunders can play defense, which they need, and Morrison is more like Viciedo, only a left-handed hitter).
Are you kidding they would move Montero in a heart beat. They want to wash their hands of him. He has no future with the Mariners.
2 Montero HRs last night, both opposite field. No reason to trade him for 10 cents in the dollar. He has minor league options
Surprising to hear the M’s aren’t discussing De Aza. He’s put up some solid, if quiet, numbers. Are they considering dealing Smoak to Chicago?
Where would Smoak play? We have 3 1B already in Konerko, Dunn, Abreu. Chris Taylor is a name I’d be more interested in, and throw Luiz Gohara in to that trade.
So the white sox signed Abreu and then would trade viciedo?
I don’t think so…
Shocking. The Mariners are interested in a player with no defensive value and what appears to be at best, a league average bat. I never saw that coming….
They’ll still have trouble against LHP and Viciedo has a history of destroying them.
Personally I’m hoping the M’s can add one or two more 1B/DH types to the roster.
Smoak for Viciedo + shipping?
This is all speculation. The M’s could have been there looking at pitching. It was Vuckovich. Viciedo and DeAza do nothing for the Mariners. Heck, Vuckovich could have been there watching the other team.
Move along. Nothing to see.
This is all speculation. The M’s could have been there looking at pitching. It was Vuckovich. Viciedo and DeAza do nothing for the Mariners. Heck, Vuckovich could have been there watching the other team.
Move along. Nothing to see.
I’m failing to see what the Mariners could possibly be planning. If I’m Lloyd McClendon right now, I’m begging Jack Z to try getting De Aza instead. De Aza, while not an offensive specimen to be sure, can at least hit a bit, steal you some bases, and play a respectable outfield defense. Viciedo has a cool name, but that’s about all he’s got going for him. He wouldn’t have a defensive position on the M’s. He’d be part of a group of four players who should either be playing first or DHing. Unless the M’s think every base is first base, this can’t work.
I hope for the M’s sake that this is just speculation and doesn’t come to fruition.
Interesting theory on names you bring up. I’ve always thought that people are generally more inclined to overvalue players with interesting names. Would Rollie Fingers be the same if his name were Mike Smith?
And what exactly are you willing to trade for DeAza? His number have fallen steaily for the last few years. I would have loved to have him his age 28 season. Pass, I’ll let Almonte become what DeAza was.
His numbers have increased each year, the only thing that has declined was his average, which was in the 280s in 2012 and that dropped to the 260s last season, which would have been 3rd on the team, and he would be the best defender. I would rather get him and let Almonte play in the corner and have 2 very fast, good defenders in the outfield than putting Saunders out there again to watch him fail, again, since 2009.
DeAza put up a .728 OPS last year. Nothing special. Saunders hurt his shoulder and couldn’t swing for 8 weeks and still put up a .720 OPS.
At one point Ackley was one of the best bats in the minors. 2 years ago he had heal spurs and could barely walk. Last year he had Wedge in his head telling him to be what he’s not. He’s going to break out this year.
Again, Almonte will be what DeAza was.
The M’s are covered.
Except Almonte has a decent approach at the plate.
Got to appreciate Jack Z.’s style- take a bunch of leftovers, throw it all together, see what sticks. That outfield defense will be horrendous. I’d feel sorry for the center fielder playing between 2 of LoMo, Hart, and Viciedo. They’d have to convert the whole pitching staff into ground ballers.
I think the M’s outfield is going to be much different (and better defensively) than is currently being speculated. Dustin Ackley is a good athlete with speed and can play defense, and his hitting has been coming around nicely since last June (.300+). I think he’s the M’s left fielder most of the time. Michael Saunders has very good speed, a very good arm, nice power, and plays very good outfield defense, and is likely to be in right field against right handers (75% of the time). He’s just had to play out of position and learn CF on the fly when Gutierrez couldn’t play, so his defensive metrics are skewed by that. Centerfield is the problem. Almonte will be better there with some time under his belt….he’s played there a lot in the minors…but he’s not likely the long-term answer.
Yeah, what rightwingrick says, the OF will be Ackley, Almonte and Saunders. Hart will be DH and Morrison or Smoak get traded unless they send Morrison to Tacoma. Romero is starting to hit and has a ton of power. Throwing Dee Gordon out at home is a notch on his belt as the 4th OFer/RH bench bat.
No thanks on the ChiSox 2nds.
Yeah, what rightwingrick says, the OF will be Ackley, Almonte and Saunders. Hart will be DH and Morrison or Smoak get traded unless they send Morrison to Tacoma. Romero is starting to hit and has a ton of power. Throwing Dee Gordon out at home is a notch on his belt as the 4th OFer/RH bench bat.
No thanks on the ChiSox 2nds.
Austin Wilson would be nice for the Sox. He’s a righty bat, but far enough down in the system to be considered a gamble for the M’s. An outfield of Garcia-Eaton-Wilson might look good in 2016. Not that it would play in but Wilson is also a SoCal Stanford guy like Kenny Williams.
No way would the M’s offer Austin Wilson for Viciedo. The Sox would get Chance Ruffin, Triunfel and maybe another prospect in a deal for Viciedo.
I’m not saying a straight swap necessarily, just what the Sox might target. I’m not one who always sees values in bulk number deals. There’s quite a bit of risk with Wilson. Viciedo is signed for a few seasons and has upside…260 25 HR. There are substantial odds that Wilson never sees that contribution.
Neither is a power bat that was mentioned as a White Sox target.
The Mariners are extremely high on Austin Wilson. They would be stupid to trade him, but they have been stupid in the past, Doug Fister, so it’s technically possible. But it won’t happen, when the Mariners drafted him, he instantly became our best outfield prospect.
You’d have to be high on him after watching him fall to the second round. He does come with higher risk than a lot of prospect-happy fans would like to acknowledge. Not saying that deal happens… just what the Sox need to be looking at. Its not their job to see the Mariners get a good deal.
In general, I do like the idea of trading with the Mariners.
One thing Viciedo has defensively is a great arm.
the talk seems to be Saunders for Viciedo, definitely a defensive downgrade for an already weak defensive club. A couple years ago the M’s were one of the better defensive clubs, but were losing 2-1, 1-0 games and were mind numblingly boring to watch.. gotta figure even though the club batting average has remained historically inept for a multi year period, the dysfunctional people above Jack Z pressured him to create more excitement in the batting order, no matter the results for the defense or win loss record.
That sounds awful for the M’s. That should be enough to can Z for good.
If they’re thinking Franklin for Viciedo, I’d like to see more than just Viciedo in return. Better yet, how about a little more ambition than just a “right-handed hitter”. I mean, I hit right handed. Should I be expecting a call from Z?
I want a Viciedo trade to happen, if only to hear people refer to Jack and Dayan.
I would prefer Michael Morse, Delmon Young, Ryan Raburn, Josh Willingham or Vernon Wells than TANK.
Darin Ruf , John Mayberry & Kyle Blanks. Young with possible upside.
If i am talking about these players than we are wasting our time talking about Tank.
Michael Saunders has a much better upside than Viciedo. He almost went 20/20 2 years ago and smashed the ball in the WBC before an injury early on in the season slowed him down.
How about Scott Van Slyke… LA Dodgers. LF with pop. They are looking to sell outfielders.
Dayan Viciedo has a projected 2014 WAR of 0.7 at Steamer, 0.5 at Oliver and 0.8 at ZiPS. Oliver projects a five-year WAR of 2.6 for Viciedo.
Viciedo is barely a replacement-level player despite his 2014 salary of $2.8 million.