The White Sox avoided an arbitration hearing with outfielder Dayan Viciedo, agreeing to a one-year, $4.4 million contract.
Viciedo, 25, batted .231 with 21 home runs, 58 RBI and a career-high 65 runs scored in 145 games with the Sox in 2014. He’s a career .254 hitter with 66 home runs and 211 RBI in 483 games.
Viciedo might not figure in the Sox’ plans for 2015. He certainly doesn’t figure to have a starting role after the Sox signed free agent Melky Cabrera to a three-year, $42 million deal in December. Cabrera will take over in left field, Avisail Garcia is in right and Adam LaRoche and Jose Abreu will share designated-hitter duties.
The Sox have been exploring trade possibilities for the right-handed-hitting Viciedo, who might have some value after hitting 20-plus homers three times in the last four seasons. It might not be out of the question that he stays as a fourth outfielder, but the Sox might prefer a more athletic and better defensive option such as Tony Campana or J.B. Shuck.
The Sox have five remaining arbitration-eligible players: catcher Tyler Flowers and right-handers Javy Guerra, Nate Jones, Hector Noesi and Jeff Samardzija.
Samardzija earned $5.3 million with the Cubs and Athletics in 2014 but figures to earn close to $10 million through the arbitration process. He will be eligible for free agency after the 2015 season.
Viciedo signed a four-year, $10 million contract with the Sox in 2008. He’s under club control through 2017.
Email: dvanschouwen@suntimes.com
Twitter: @CST_soxvan
