Viciedo signs with Sox, but trade still possible

For now, the White Sox have an expensive reserve outfielder on their 25-man roster.

On Monday, the Sox avoided salary arbitration with Dayan Viciedo, signing the 25-year-old corner outfielder to a one-year, $4.4 million contract.

With the start of spring training just over a month away, Viciedo currently is the backup to newcomer Melky Cabrera in left field and Avisail Garcia in right.

Don't be surprised if Viciedo is traded before the White Sox open the regular season on April 6, at Kansas City.

The Sox have given Viciedo regular playing time the past three seasons, but much like erstwhile second baseman Gordon Beckham, they have likely run out of patience.

Viciedo hit for decent power (21 home runs) last year, but the .231 batting average, .281 on-base percentage, 58 RBI and 32 walks in 523 at-bats were not acceptable.

In parts of five seasons with the White Sox, Viciedo has a .254/.298/.424 hitting line to go with 66 homers and 211 RBI in 483 games.

After Cabrera signed a three-year, $42 million contract on Dec. 16, Sox general manager Rick Hahn was asked about Viciedo's future on the South Side.

"I will say that there's certainly an opportunity for Viciedo to play a role on this club, however the amount of at-bats for him have certainly diminished," Hahn said. "I don't think it would be a great shock to hear from other clubs that perhaps have a larger role for him and have interest in him joining their club to fulfill that role."

Rumors on the Viciedo trade front have been quiet for weeks, but Hahn is in no hurry to make a move. He could always wait until spring training, when inevitable injuries lead to trades.

The White Sox still have five players eligible for salary arbitration - new starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija, catcher Tyler Flowers and pitchers Javy Guerra, Nate Jones and Hector Noesi.