February 27, 201214 yr http://www.csnchicago.com/blog/whitesox-ta...rce=twitterfeed Could Viciedo wind up in left field? February 27, 2012, 12:30 pm JJ STANKEVITZ csnchicago.png Here's perhaps the first real bit of news to come out of spring training, courtesy of our own Chuck Garfien: @ChuckGarfien Chuck Garfien When all is said and done, don't be surprised if Alex Rios starts in RF and Dayan Viciedo moves to LF. There are a few implications if this indeed does happen. The first would be that the Sox appear committed to playing Alejandro De Aza in center field, which makes sense because he's the team's best defensive center fielder. But Rios needs to play somewhere, and he previously stated he wouldn't be comfortable in left field -- which is fair, given he's only played one game there in his entire career. Playing Rios in an unfamiliar position could be counter-productive to getting his offensive production back to some level of respectability. If he's taking any defensive issues with him to the plate, that probably won't end well for his overall production. Although being comfortable hasn't always worked for getting players to rebound -- look no further than Mark Teahen, who struggled through 2010 despite having the comfort of a three-year contract given to him after the Sox acquired him in 2009. Viciedo would, in theory, be less prone to seeing his offensive numbers dip due to a position switch. He moved from third base to right field and continued to improve at the plate, and while right to left field is a significant change, it's not as earth-shattering as moving from the infield to outfield. So here we have a storyline to follow this spring with potentially long-lasting implications. Viciedo has been penciled in as the right fielder of the future, but maybe we'll have to change that to left.
February 27, 201214 yr The first highlight in this video is part of the reason Viciedo belongs in right. He has an arm, Rios doesn't.
February 27, 201214 yr Why put his cannon arm in LF? Yeah, Rios is probably a better defender, but I can't help but think once Rios is gone, Viciedo will be placed back in RF anyway, so might as well let him learn the position for a few years while this team won't be very good.
February 27, 201214 yr QUOTE (JoeCoolMan24 @ Feb 27, 2012 -> 02:12 PM) Why put his cannon arm in LF? Yeah, Rios is probably a better defender, but I can't help but think once Rios is gone, Viciedo will be placed back in RF anyway, so might as well let him learn the position for a few years while this team won't be very good. Eh, this one annoys me less than the continual attempts to move Viciedo around the IF or turn him into a platoon bat.
February 27, 201214 yr Author Mark Gonzales @MDGonzales Rv doesn't rule out Rios in RF, viciedo in LF, more PT for Dunn at 1b
February 27, 201214 yr QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Feb 27, 2012 -> 07:12 PM) Eh, this one annoys me less than the continual attempts to move Viciedo around the IF or turn him into a platoon bat. Probably better to make such a move to LF early in his career. Maybe?
February 28, 201214 yr QUOTE (3E8 @ Feb 27, 2012 -> 01:03 PM) The first highlight in this video is part of the reason Viciedo belongs in right. He has an arm, Rios doesn't. Man, that video is exciting. Sure, it's only a couple plays, but saying the ball jumps off his bat is an understatement. Stoney's laugh on that HR in Seattle says it all. I can't wait to see this play hit every day. QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Feb 27, 2012 -> 07:10 PM) They even stuck Brian Daubach in the outfield, if memory serves me correctly. We've had our fair share of miscues in the OF over the last decade.
February 28, 201214 yr QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Feb 27, 2012 -> 03:00 PM) Mark Gonzales @MDGonzales Rv doesn't rule out Rios in RF, viciedo in LF, more PT for Dunn at 1b. They're trying to work Lilly in at 1b and ss. As skinny as Dunn has become. We might hear Du
February 28, 201214 yr QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Feb 27, 2012 -> 07:10 PM) They even stuck Brian Daubach in the outfield, if memory serves me correctly. I had to look him up to both remember who he was and when he was on the Sox. All I could picture was Dante Bichette for some reason.
February 28, 201214 yr QUOTE (SoxFan1 @ Feb 27, 2012 -> 09:16 PM) Man, that video is exciting. Sure, it's only a couple plays, but saying the ball jumps off his bat is an understatement. Stoney's laugh on that HR in Seattle says it all. I can't wait to see this play hit every day. We've had our fair share of miscues in the OF over the last decade. That actually was Wimpy laughing, for the record. Just sayin.
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