Dayan Viciedo avoids arbitration, signs for one year, $2.8 million

The Chicago White Sox have avoided arbitration with Dayan Viciedo by signing him to  $2.8 million deal for 2014.

Viciedo had a disappointing 2013.  While his .265/.304/.426 line isn't far from his 2012, he only hit 14 home runs in 2013, compared to 25 in 2012.  He did miss some time with an oblique strain during the season and tinkering with his hitting continued throughout the whole season.  Also, while he wouldn't have won any awards with his defense in 2012, it did regress in 2013.  He led the majors in errors in left field in 2013 with five, but misplayed balls, poor communication, bad routes, and other poor decision-making plagued his outfield play.

Viciedo entered the offseason as a possible non-tender candidate.  After the Jose Abreu signing, though, Rick Hahn repeatedly emphasized the importance of Viciedo and Alexei Ramirez in helping Abreu acclimate to the majors and the United States in general. Even with this apparent guarantee, the Sox also acquired Adam Eaton, which may limit some of Dayan Viciedo's playing time assuming Alejandro De Aza returns as well.

New hitting coach Todd Steverson also mentioned his desire to work with Viciedo and help him reach his still-considerable potential. Steverson is conducting a minicamp this week for several young White Sox hitters, and news of Viciedo's attendance would be welcome.

The signing leaves Gordon Beckham and Alejandro De Aza as the remaining arbitration-eligible players. Tyler Flowers, who was also in that group, signed a one-year deal Dec. 2.