White Sox sign Cuban player

The White Sox on Friday signed a player who might help fill their hole in center field. Or he might wind up as their starting second baseman.

According to a team source, the Sox and Alexei Ramirez have agreed on a four-year, $4.75 million contract. The deal won't be officially announced until Ramirez passes a physical.

Two months ago, Ramirez left his native Cuba and filed for residency in the Dominican Republic, according to ESPNdeportes.com.

Ramirez, 26, batted .332 with 87 home runs and 391 RBI in seven seasons in Cuba with Pinar del Rio. In 2007, he batted .335 with 20 HR and 68 RBI.

Ramirez can play center field, second base and shortstop, according to Jaime Torres, his agent. Torres also represents White Sox starting pitcher Jose Contreras, who left Cuba in 2003 and signed with the New York Yankees.

Ramirez reportedly worked out for the White Sox in the Dominican Republic, as well as for the Red Sox, Indians, Reds, Cubs, Mets, Yankees, Twins and Athletics.

According to Torres, Ramirez left Cuba for the Dominican in September. Ramirez's wife is a citizen of the Dominican Republic who recently completed medical school in Cuba, and her citizenship allowed Ramirez to enter the country legally and makes him eligible for Dominican citizenship.