MLB: Vizquel picks Sox ahead of Indians

Omar Vizquel signed a one-year contract with the White Sox on Monday, which means his return to Progressive Field in 2010 will have him in the visitor’s dugout and wearing the uniform of a division rival.

That’s a far cry from the comeback many Tribe fans were hoping for. Knowing the Indians had a need for a utility infielder, the hope among fans was that Vizquel would be brought aboard to mentor fellow Venezuelans Asdrubal Cabrera and Luis Valbuena and to finish off a potential Hall of Fame career in the city where he truly made a name for himself over 11 memorable seasons.

The Indians did express interest in Vizquel, but they were told by his agent, Adam Katz, that the White Sox were a higher priority on his list. It had been speculated that the 42-year-old Vizquel, perhaps seeking future support for his Hall of Fame candidacy, wanted to land with a “high-profile” club, and the Sox are obviously in a bigger market than the Tribe.

Of course, there were other reasons why Vizquel wasn’t what you’d call the perfect fit for the Indians’ utility vacancy. While the Tribe certainly valued the defensive help Vizquel could have provided, the leadership he’d bring to their middle infielders and the sentimental reasons to bring him back to Cleveland, the truth is that the Indians are hoping to land a utilityman who can hit well right-handed and spell Valbuena, who will be entering his first full season in the bigs, against left-handed pitching.

Thanks to Juke.