Due to inflammation in his right elbow, Dayan Viciedo has played his last game with the Peoria Javelinas this fall. The Javelinas are the Arizona Fall League affiliate of the White Sox, in case you did not know. While it was not in my plans to kick off my initial White Sox post with such negative news, I am positive that it was not in the White Sox's plans to have Viciedo go down during the instructional league season. While I am not concerned with Viciedo's overall health (he will definitely be ready by Spring Training), his presence in the Sox's minor league system raises a few questions for me.
First off, let me preface my inquisition by saying this: I am happy that Viciedo is in the White Sox organization. I am really enjoying the fact that the Sox in recent years have been tapping the Cuban pipeline for talent (Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez, Jose Contreras, Alexei Ramirez) and have added to that list with Viciedo. It is always good to have depth in your minor league system, and Viciedo looks to be a part of the future in Chicago. However, he is a third baseman, just like the current Rookie of the Year candidate, Gordon Beckham. If and when Viciedo is ready for the big show, what will the Sox do with their infield? For the record, Viciedo hit .280, with 12 homers and 78 RBIs in 130 games with the Double-A Birmingham Barons this past season.
I know, it is facetious of me to look so far ahead into the future, especially when I do not know what will unfold over the course of the offseason, let alone 2010 and beyond. However, it is a question worth asking. Beckham's natural position is shortstop, so he could easily move back there and let Viciedo play third. Alexei can move over to second base and Konerko can stay at first. What will become of second baseman Chris Getz, though?
Getz played his first full big-league season this year, and while his numbers are pretty pedestrian (.261 average, .324 OBP, 2 home runs and 31 RBIs), he could potentially improve over the next few seasons. I really like the fact that he had 25 steals in 27 attempts last year. This shows that he brings speed to the table in a lineup that has been in desperate need of speed since 2006. If and when Viciedo is ready, and the Sox decide to part ways with Getz, will he become good enough to be decent trade bait?
Another scenario that could come to pass with the arrival of Viciedo is the departure of Paul Konerko, a fan favorite on the South Side. Konerko is the longest tenured (11 seasons as of 2009) and most respected member of the White Sox, and it will indeed be a sad day when Paulie says goodbye to the ol' ballyard on 35th street. However, next year could be a telling one as to whether or not Konerko stays or leaves.
Konerko put together another solid season for the Sox in 2009, hitting .277 with 28 homers and 88 RBIs. He is also the official team captain of the Sox, a title that is not handed out regularly. This is also a person who means a lot to the organization. The grand slam he hit in Game 2 of the 2005 World Series is arguably the biggest home run in team history. He is also second in franchise history in home runs with 319, which only trails the legendary Frank Thomas. His credentials in a Sox uniform could possibly merit having his number retired when his career is over. However, if Viciedo proves himself to be ready over the next two years, does that mean Konerko is expendable? Does that mean that the end of a fantastic era in Chicago baseball could come to a melancholy end? Viciedo could likely learn how to play first base very quickly. Again, we shall see.
Despite all of this, it is very likely that Viciedo, barring an insane performance in Spring Training next year, will begin the season in the minors again. He is only 20 years old, and he could use the extra seasoning. Nonetheless, the White Sox have him under contract through the 2012 season at a hefty price tag of $12 million. If Viciedo lives up to his potential, we could see some dramatic changes to the Sox a lot sooner than expected.
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