Omar Vizquel to be a full-time backup

You knew Ozzie would do it:

“I don’t want him to be a coach,” manager Ozzie Guillen said of the signing. “That’s the last thing I want. Omar is so professional handling something he had to do for the first time in his life. I think the job he did with the kids in Texas [last season] was outstanding. “His presence with the team is very important. He’s a guy that knows how to play the game, he’s a Hall of Famer. The kids can take advantage, especially Gordon [Beckham] and [Alexei] Ramirez. We will try and find him a lot of playing time, especially early in the year because everyone knows Ramirez struggles early either because of the weather or over-training.” … Meanwhile, Vizquel’s main concern is a jersey number to wear. Guillen told his friend that he “doesn’t have enough money to get my number [13],” so Vizquel was kicking the tires on Aparicio’s No. 11 or Carrasquel’s No. 17.

Now if the playing time is taken from “3B regular” Mark Teahen, it doesn’t sound so bad.

Kenny responds to Bobby’s comments

Merkin:

That perception of conditioning being used by the Sox to explain his 2009 difficulties was mentioned again by Jenks to the Sun-Times over this past weekend. But if the 28-year-old White Sox closer was looking for a diplomatic response from general manager Ken Williams, he needs to prepare for quite the opposite.

“If he’s upset that it’s continuously brought up, then he should work on it and get it to where it’s not an issue,” said Williams, speaking about the Jenks’ conditioning prior to the hurler’s last round of comments but following the closer’s October remarks. “It is an issue. I’ve told him this directly to his face,” said Williams, without hesitation. “If he’s going to have an extended career of effectiveness at a high level, like he certainly is capable of doing, then he has to take better care of himself.”

… When asked if this conditioning question could have played a role in Jenks’ slight struggles, Williams once again held little back. “Well, I don’t know,” Williams said. “It comes into question when you are not in the best shape you can be in, now doesn’t it?” If [Jenks] doesn’t like that, I don’t really care if he doesn’t like that. It’s the truth. “I’ve seen it time and time again. We would not be in his corner and we would not be real friends, real people of support, if we didn’t give him the information.”

SoxMachine’s AFL Review

Jim:

… Watching Danks from the center field cam instead of from the side, that’s who he reminded me of, which isn’t good. Especially since Erstad once had good bat speed, but lost it as age and injuries took their toll.  If Danks can be busted with fastballs in — just like Ryan Sweeney, and just like Jerry Owens if you want to keep it to age-relevant types — it’s going to be an uphill climb.

The good news is that Danks handled all chances in center with ease, even with the dreaded high sky causing problems for others.  He also can take a pitch, and when you package it all together, you get a guy who can be useful. He’s just not a bat anybody should be counting on.

Cleveland was interested in Vizquel; Vizquel was not interested

MLB.com:

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.

Video from Omar Vizquel’s from press conference [UPDATE]

Omar Vizquel press conference (2:35), and

Omar Vizquel defensive reel (0:58)

UPDATE: Reifert has more on his Twitter feed:

InsideTheSox: The tradition that Ven shortstops have with the Sox and his relationship with Ozzie made him lean to the White Sox, Omar Vizquel said.

InsideTheSox: “Every great SS from Ven passed thru Chi,” Vizquel said. “Chico, Luis and Ozzie. I look fwd to experiencing the uniform and a great city.”

InsideTheSox: “He’s a guy who knows how to play the game,” Ozzie Guillen said of Vizquel. “He’s going to be a Hall of Famer.”

InsideTheSox: “Omar Vizquel does not have enough money to buy my number,” Guillen joked when asked if he’d give up his #13 for the new acquisition.

InsideTheSox: “Omar Vizquel does not have enough money to buy my number,” Guillen joked when asked if he’d give up his #13 for the new acquisition.InsideTheSox: “I think he should wear #23 because that’s what he wears in Venezuela with Caracas,” Guillen said. “And you know what #23 means in Chicago!

Sox are getting Hideki Matsui again

… says Phil Rogers in his where-do-free-agents-end-up column too:

Hideki Matsui, White Sox: The World Series MVP will get a two-year deal somewhere to DH. The Yankees are keeping that role open as a once- or twice-a-week slot for Jorge Posada, Alex Rodriguez and Damon.

Why “again”? Here.

Sox sign Omar Vizquel [UPDATE]

Levine:

The White Sox signed veteran shortstop Omar Vizquel to a one-year, $1.375 million deal on Monday, according to a source close to the situation. Vizquel, who turns 43 in April, will be a backup middle infielder. …

Merkin:

With Vizquel on board, the youthful utility tandem of Jayson Nix and Brent Lillibridge has been put on further notice. Guillen spoke at the end of the 2008 campaign as to how Nix needed to make better contact and Lillibridge needed to take greater advantage of his speed to secure their respective roster spots. There figures to be one spot left between the two of them, although even before Vizquel and the White Sox agreed to terms, Nix understood the task facing him.

“My focus is on making the adjustments I need to make and to come in being the most complete player I can be,” Nix said. “From there, whatever happens, happens. “If I’m on my game and doing what I’m capable of doing, opportunities will come. I’m just focused on doing what I need to do to help the team more.”

Stats: B-R, FG.

Here’s the press release.

UPDATE: Vizquel says he won’t have a problem accepting his backup role.

Kenny on the free-agent market

Merkin:

“I don’t know if January is going to be January as it has the last two years, where some very good players have been out there,” Williams said. “If I’m those players and those players agents, I don’t know if I’m going to wait for that team to come sweep me off of my feet in January. You might want to take the best deal you can get, as early as you can.

“That non-tender list will be interesting to watch. Based on what happened last year, where there were some guys who got stuck out there, I would anticipate more deals are made with potential arbitration and free-agent guys.

“You’ve got a combination of that, combined with your lack of overall talent in my opinion — impact-type talent — that is free,” William said. “There’s impact talent in the league for sure, but they are established guys that aren’t moving anywhere or they are young guys up and coming that are more and more difficult to get.”

FutureSox’ AFL Review

FutureSox:

Jordan Danks finished in the top five in hits, walks and OBP and led the league in runs scored (31). Danks plays good center field and the scouts agreed in various reports out of Arizona. He had a great walk rate (20 in 99 AB) and hit .343, but the concern has been contact rate and he did nothing to change that. He struck out in almost 22% of his plate appearances in Arizona, staying in line with his 2009 numbers in Winston-Salem and Birmingham. He doesn’t project to hit for big power so he will need to improve that to be a successful hitter in the Majors. At the same time, a good defensive center fielder that can get on-base will always have a job. …

BTW, the Tribune has some numbers here.