Looks like I'll need to update my Fighting to Win!™ signature to include Mark Teahan and Omar Vizquel. 2010 will be so exciting!

Did you really expect to be excited by the new backup infielder?

Maybe he helps him, maybe he doesn't. I don't really see what it matters. The whole "mentor" thing is just speculation anyway, Vizquel is a good fit as a defensive specialist backup infielder when you have 3 question marks on defense at 3B, SS and 2B. Assuming he does get signed, I'm just glad that the Sox are showing a little interest in defense -- they've been indifferent for quite a while.

 

From a sabermetrics POV, how does he rate last season? Obviously, I'm sure he has fallen off from his prime, but how does he rank amongst other guys?

God, i hope Nix sticks around. I've been tooting his horn for so long, i see so much potential left in him, i would of loved to of seen what he could have done off the bench for us this year.

 

 

this post took a lot longer than I expected

Well I guess upon further review this would be an alright move. I checked out the metrics over at Fangraphs and Hardball Times and he can still flash some leather. Any help he could provide to the youngsters would be a bonus. He's a total liability with the bat, though.

I guarantee we'll hear one thing from KW: "I've had my eye on Omar for a long time"

I guarantee we'll hear one thing from KW: "I've had my eye on Omar for a long time"

 

 

well yeah, he wanted him before he signed with San Fran, that was the beginning of the Bruce Levine carpetbombing "i stake my reputation on it" stuff

From a sabermetrics POV, how does he rate last season? Obviously, I'm sure he has fallen off from his prime, but how does he rank amongst other guys?

SS

2007: 1219.1 INN - 20.6 UZR/150

2006: 657.2 INN - 13.1 UZR/150

2009: 196.2 INN - 32.6 UZR/150

 

2B

2009: 126 INN - 0.3 UZR/150

 

3B

2009: 101 INN - 56.1 UZR/150

 

He's also doing quite well in Tango's Fan Poll.

 

He's still a real good fielder.

Someone from the sox told me they've added 5 players to the roster today.

Someone from the sox told me they've added 5 players to the roster today.

They protected a handful of kids from the Rule 5 Draft.

Someone from the sox told me they've added 5 players to the roster today.

Yep, a bunch of moves to protect players from the Rule V. I'm working on a small write-up on it as we speak. Hynick, Omogrosso, and Santos were some of the bigger names added to the 40 man roster.

Our former all star SS manager couldn't help Alexei improve his D so what exactly will Vizquel be able to do in that department?

 

Thank you. Cora was a middle infielder as well.

 

This move makes no sense.

I guess Kenny always gets his man... eventually. I have no problem with this. He can help this team defensively and hopefully show Alexei and others how defense is done.

 

Soxtalk front page, November 20, 2018:

"Chone Figgins close to signing with Sox"

 

Someone from the sox told me they've added 5 players to the roster today.

The names are in the FS forum.

 

NO Shelby, sort of surprising. No Marrero either, but we aren't sure he had to be yet.

 

 

 

well at least we have a pinch bunter...though im relatively certain ozzie will try to play vizquel 3 times a week at least....while i don't agree with the strategy, at least if ozzie is going to be asking guys to bunt and hit and run etc...at least we have a guy who can actually do it, and not brent lillibridge

well at least we have a pinch bunter...though im relatively certain ozzie will try to play vizquel 3 times a week at least....while i don't agree with the strategy, at least if ozzie is going to be asking guys to bunt and hit and run etc...at least we have a guy who can actually do it, and not brent lillibridge

If he is the utility infielder, playing 3 times a week makes sense. One game in every 10 or so, per skill position player (3x16.2 is 49 games actually starting), plus the occasional PH/PR and late defense type role. Sounds about right to me.

 

And I don't think we're trading Nix, because I don't think he gets you anything in trade anyway. I think he stays with the team, CJ isn't ready yet. Bench of Nix (who can play some corner OF as well as 2B, 3B), Vizquel (all skill IF), Kotsay (all OF, 1B), and the backup C. Gives you pretty good coverage all around.

 

And I don't think we're trading Nix, because I don't think he gets you anything in trade anyway. I think he stays with the team, CJ isn't ready yet. Bench of Nix (who can play some corner OF as well as 2B, 3B), Vizquel (all skill IF), Kotsay (all OF, 1B), and the backup C. Gives you pretty good coverage all around.

 

Nix, Vizquel, Kotsay, and possibly Blanco (if they opt not to go with Flowers) would be the key reserves. That's a pretty versatile and experienced group. I like it.

I don't want to see Nix off the team, as I think he's a great asset to a team against LHP and was a great base runner.

If he is the utility infielder, playing 3 times a week makes sense. One game in every 10 or so, per skill position player (3x16.2 is 49 games actually starting), plus the occasional PH/PR and late defense type role. Sounds about right to me.

 

And I don't think we're trading Nix, because I don't think he gets you anything in trade anyway. I think he stays with the team, CJ isn't ready yet. Bench of Nix (who can play some corner OF as well as 2B, 3B), Vizquel (all skill IF), Kotsay (all OF, 1B), and the backup C. Gives you pretty good coverage all around.

I think this depends on who our other starting OF is. If we get a guy who can play CF (whether he is regularly in RF or CF) then with Rios here we'd have 2 CF's. That would allow us to take an extra IF if we carry 7 pitchers in the pen, which is likely. Otherwise, if we get a straight corner OF, then we'll need someone to cover CF and I don't think Kotsay can do that anymore. In that case a 5th OF makes sense as opposed to the extra IF, since Kotsay can take 1B and Omar can take 2B, 3B, and SS.

Sox Close to Signing Omar Vizquel

By Jason Gage

SoxNet.net

 

Ken Rosenthal is reporting that the Chicago White Sox are on the verge of signing Omar Vizquel to a 1 year contract worth $1 million. Vizquel, 43, spent the 2009 season with the Rangers as a backup at SS, 3B, and 2B and batted .266 in 62 games.

 

SN Take:

Vizquel makes a deep bench even deeper, providing Ozzie Guillen with a plus defensive backup at 3B, SS, and 2B. Vizquel is also expected to serve as a mentor to Gordon Beckham and Alexei Ramirez, much like he did last season with Texas rookie SS Elvis Andrus.

 

The signing won't help sell tickets, it will put some pressure on Jayson Nix, and go a long way towards stabilizing the infield defense and clubhouse.

 

Rule V Update:

The Chicago White Sox purchased the contracts of Brian Omogrosso (RHP), Brandon Hynick (RHP), Sergio Santos (RHP), Santos Luis (RHP), and Stefan Gartrell (OF). The moves put the Sox 40 man roster at 37 and protect the above players from being exposed during the MLB portion of the upcoming Rule V Draft.

 

Kyle McCulloch (RHP) and John Shelby III (OF) are the most noteable prospects that the Sox have exposed to the draft. Shelby is a toolsy outfielder who was a popular pre-season break-out prospect pick in 2009 and was most recently ranked by the Hard Ball times as the Sox 10th best prospect. McCulloch is noteable only because he is the last remaining of the Sox 1st round flops under former player personell guy Duane Shaffer.

 

I actually like this.

 

Vizquel can be a very good defensive replacement and he can fill in once or twice a week at SS, 2B, or maybe even 3B. It gives Ozzie a lot of flexibility. His defense is still well above average and his bat is well below average.

 

However, defensive contribution is almost just as important as offensive contribution. Even though Vizquel posted only a .301 wOBA last year, his near 9 UZR made him worth 1.2 wins, which is pretty impressive for a guy his age.

 

You guys wanted better defense right? Well, here you go. At around a million, this is a great signing.

Edited November 20, 200916 yr by chw42

Meh, I guess this sort of makes sense with Vizquel being a utility guy and a "fielding coach" to Alexei. As long as they don't pay him much over the league minimum.

 

But, man, I just don't see the logic in dumping both Nix AND Getz this off-season and replacing them with "meh" players who aren't going to get any better. Nix and Getz both have nice skill sets (albeit very different ones), and I thought that one of them could've been a nice long-term option for us. Kenny *could* keep Nix as an extra bench guy, but I'm not sure that's going to happen if Flowers is in the mix.

 

Edited November 20, 200916 yr by WCSox

If he is the utility infielder, playing 3 times a week makes sense. One game in every 10 or so, per skill position player (3x16.2 is 49 games actually starting), plus the occasional PH/PR and late defense type role. Sounds about right to me.

 

And I don't think we're trading Nix, because I don't think he gets you anything in trade anyway. I think he stays with the team, CJ isn't ready yet. Bench of Nix (who can play some corner OF as well as 2B, 3B), Vizquel (all skill IF), Kotsay (all OF, 1B), and the backup C. Gives you pretty good coverage all around.

There's a damn good chance Alejandro De Aza makes the team talking over the "Wise" role. He'd be the speed guy off the bench and can handle the outfield substantially better than Kotsay who really shouldn't get much if any time in CF next year.

 

The wild card in this situation is that Nix is out of options.

Anybody know if Lillibridge has any options left?

 

 

Anybody know if Lillibridge has any options left?

 

Does it really matter?

Anybody know if Lillibridge has any options left?

Unfortunately, this kind of information is impossible to find. There's just no convenient location to find this sort of info on every member of the White Sox's 40 man roster. It's a shame really.