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Friday, November 20, 2009

White Sox reportedly near Omar Vizquel deal

Vizquel, 42, would give the White Sox a versatile backup for nearly all the infield positions. Last season, Vizquel played third base, second base and shortstop while batting .266 in 62 games for the Rangers.

The White Sox said Friday that beside the five additions the club made to its 40-man roster, there would be no other news.

In addition to the 11-time Gold Glove winner providing solid defense, Vizquel would also give the White Sox a veteran infielder to help mentor shortstop Alexei Ramirez and second baseman Gordon Beckham, who is making his second position change in two years.

This is not the first time that the White Sox have had interest in Vizquel. The club was close to signing him to a two-year deal before the start of the 2005 season, but Vizquel instead inked a three-year contract with the Giants at the last minute.

Thanks to Hilly.

Repoz Posted: November 20, 2009 at 02:55 PM | 31 comment(s)
Related News: General, Chi White Sox

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1. josehamiton1032 Posted: November 20, 2009 at 03:00 PM (#3392800)

They need a utility player. I do not care how old he is because he will not be playing full time. Good move by the Sox

2. Sidd [bleeping] Finch (SuperBaes) Posted: November 20, 2009 at 03:16 PM (#3392832)

Ozzie's only 3 years older than Omar. That's awesome.

3. Dewey, Local Boy and Soupuss Posted: November 20, 2009 at 03:17 PM (#3392835)

Is Vizquel still represented by Scott Boras?

4. Dock Ellis on Acid

Posted: November 20, 2009 at 03:22 PM (#3392844)

I hope he plays forever. Over/under on him being the new Julio Franco?

5. The Joe Mauer Power Hour (kj) Posted: November 20, 2009 at 03:28 PM (#3392856)

Does his new contract forbid any bullfighting activities?

6. The Joe Mauer Power Hour (kj) Posted: November 20, 2009 at 03:29 PM (#3392858)

Over/under on him being the new Julio Franco?

Isn't the over/under for any yes/no question "maybe"?

7. AROM Posted: November 20, 2009 at 03:29 PM (#3392860)

Ozzie's only 3 years older than Omar. That's awesome.

Thanks, I was wondering how close they were in age. I was thinking, don't the Sox already have a great field/no hit SS who came up in the 80's?

8. Dayton Moore is a Big Fat Idiot (AG#1F) Posted: November 20, 2009 at 03:46 PM (#3392879)

Ozzie's only 3 years older than Omar. That's awesome.

And Gordon Beckham, his potential DP partner, was 2 years old when Omar made his MLB debut.

9. Eric P. Posted: November 20, 2009 at 04:00 PM (#3392900)

Does his new contract forbid any bullfighting activities?

No, but only because the Sox had to sacrifice that clause in order to get Omar to give up the snake wrangling.

10. Greg Goosen at 30

Posted: November 20, 2009 at 04:16 PM (#3392929)

Either the Tigers or Twins should sign Jose Mesa.

11. ellsbury my heart at wounded knee Posted: November 20, 2009 at 04:31 PM (#3392946)

Vizquel seems like a great backup MI. He's still got it in the field, at least.

12. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: November 20, 2009 at 04:51 PM (#3392963)

And, who knows, but Elvis Andrus developed absolutely wonderfully in Texas with Omar backing him up and probably working with him on various aspects of the SS job. The White Sox will have developing players at - is this right? - all three of 2B/SS/3B next year. Having a guy like Vizquel around certainly couldn't hurt the kids.

And Vizquel, as far as I know, never complained about his bench role in Texas - which speaks very well for him.

13. Crispix Attacks is in the best shape of his life. Posted: November 20, 2009 at 04:52 PM (#3392966)

I support this. Ozzie Guillen will get fired one of these days for threatening to kill someone and calling them a fag, and then Vizquel can become player-manager.

14. Dewey, Local Boy and Soupuss Posted: November 20, 2009 at 06:37 PM (#3393051)

From the Sun-Times:

Guillen did confirm on Friday that both he and the club have spoken to Vizquel about him joining the team, but the manager didn’t know how far those talks have progressed.
“I hear they are talking,‘’ Guillen said in a phone interview. "I’ve talked to Vizquel in the past, but they aren’t telling me anything. I just got back from Venezuela, and I guess Kenny and Rick didn’t want me running my mouth down there.
“I’ll tell you what, though, if this kid is on the team there’s no way in hell he’s wearing No. 13.‘’

"This kid". RDF.

15. Russlan wants Pedro to be a Met again Posted: November 20, 2009 at 06:41 PM (#3393053)

I can't help but be amused by Ozzie.

Who is "Rick", as in Kenny and Rick?

16. chisoxcollector (formerly Big Hurts So Good) Posted: November 20, 2009 at 06:43 PM (#3393055)

Rick Hahn, assistant GM

17. Dewey, Local Boy and Soupuss Posted: November 20, 2009 at 06:43 PM (#3393057)

Rick Hahn, assistant GM.

18. Russlan wants Pedro to be a Met again Posted: November 20, 2009 at 06:44 PM (#3393058)

Much obliged, gentlemen.

19. asinwreck Posted: November 20, 2009 at 06:47 PM (#3393061)

I hope they also sign Jose Mesa.

20. TerpNats Posted: November 20, 2009 at 11:23 PM (#3393268)

Is Omar now the only player left in MLB who played at the old Comiskey Park?

21. An Athletic in Soxland Posted: November 20, 2009 at 11:30 PM (#3393276)

There's Junior. I can't recall if Randy Johnson and Crafty Moyer are retiring or not, but they both pitched at Old Comiskey.

22. Gonfalon Bubble Posted: November 20, 2009 at 11:50 PM (#3393288)

Gary Sheffield played 10 games in old Comiskey.

23. TerpNats Posted: November 21, 2009 at 01:35 AM (#3393305)

How could I forget Junior and Sheffield?

In this vein, it might be interesting to list the last active MLB players who played in a particular park. For example, I'm pretty certain Pete Rose was the last to have played at the Polo Grounds. Willie Mays was probably the last to have played at Braves Field. Not sure about Ebbets Field, Griffith Stadium, the Los Angeles Coliseum, Colt Stadium, Forbes Field, Crosley Field, Connie Mack Stadium, Kansas City Municipal Stadium and the original, pre-renovation Yankee Stadium.

24. Gonfalon Bubble Posted: November 21, 2009 at 03:02 AM (#3393314)

Hank Aaron is probably Ebbets Field's representative. It must be Nolan Ryan for Forbes Field, Crosley Field, and Connie Mack Stadium; he pitched at all three in 1970.

25. Harold Posted: November 21, 2009 at 03:21 AM (#3393319)

In this vein, it might be interesting to list the last active MLB players who played in a particular park. For example, I'm pretty certain Pete Rose was the last to have played at the Polo Grounds. Willie Mays was probably the last to have played at Braves Field. Not sure about Ebbets Field, Griffith Stadium, the Los Angeles Coliseum, Colt Stadium, Forbes Field, Crosley Field, Connie Mack Stadium, Kansas City Municipal Stadium and the original, pre-renovation Yankee Stadium.

Well, for the LA Coliseum, a whole bunch of them are active. OK, not counting that exhibition game, McCovey and McCarver both played through 1980.

26. Harold Posted: November 21, 2009 at 03:24 AM (#3393320)

For Colt Stadium, it's Phil Niekro (1987). This is kinda fun, as B-R's debut pages make this easy.

27. Harold Posted: November 21, 2009 at 03:35 AM (#3393322)

For Forbes Field (last year 1969), it's Ryan (1993). I missed him at first, and instead put together the list of five guys who made it to 1988 (Garber, Simmons, Joe Niekro, and Carlton), before noticing Ryan again.

Edited to add: Ryan is also the last for Crosley Field (1970).

28. Harold Posted: November 21, 2009 at 03:41 AM (#3393323)

For Old Yankee Stadium (1973), it's Gossage and Ryan (1993).

29. An Athletic in Soxland Posted: November 21, 2009 at 04:06 AM (#3393327)

For Metropolitan Stadium (1981), it is, of course, Rickey! (2003).

30. TerpNats Posted: November 21, 2009 at 08:20 AM (#3393364)

For Metropolitan Stadium (1981), it is, of course, Rickey! (2003).

Henderson is also the last to have played at Roosevelt Stadium in Jersey City, the Brooklyn Dodgers' alternate home in 1956 and '57. It was the site of an Eastern League team for two years in the late seventies, and was affiliated with Oakland its second season, when Henderson played there. (Many years later, of course, he also played for Newark of the Atlantic League.)

Also, Forbes Field was the Pirates' home for part of the 1970 season, just as Crosley Field was.

One park I overlooked above was the original Busch Stadium (aka Sportsman's Park), which the Cardinals used at least through 1965 and for a small part of '66 as well. I'm pretty sure Steve Carlton pitched there.

I'm guessing Jim Kaat and Carl Yastrezemski for Griffith Stadium; Kaat, of course, pitched there as both a Washington Senator and Minnesota Twin.

31. SoSHially Unacceptable Posted: November 21, 2009 at 11:03 AM (#3393427)

As far as I can tell, Julio Franco was never the last active guy to have played in any MLB park. Unless I'm missing someone, Omar and Griffey are in a race to see the last active guy to have played at Exhibition Stadium (by the time Sheff played his first game in Toronto, the Jays were in SkyDome.)

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White Sox reportedly near Omar Vizquel deal

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