Dayan Viciedo, released by the White Sox in early February, will be given a chance with the Blue Jays to show he belongs somewhere on the depth chart.DAVID BANKS/Reuters
Taking another flyer, the Blue Jays signed outfielder Dayan Viciedo to a minor-league contract Sunday.
The 25-year-old , released by the White Sox in early February, will be given a chance to show he belongs somewhere on the depth chart.
"He's got some power, a right-handed bat," said general manager Alex Anthopoulos. "Has played some third [base] in his career, played some first. Certainly played the outfield and we'll just take a look at him for the month of March and see what we have."
On Thursday, the Jays signed former Cy Young Award-winner Johan Santana to another minor-league deal. Santana, sidelined by shoulder and Achilles injuries, last threw in the majors in 2012.
Both players would get a pro-rated $2.5-million (all figures U.S.), one-year deal if they make the team, with Santana also getting performance bonuses. The minor league rate is $20,000 a month.
"Any minor-league deal, there's no downside to it," Anthopoulos said. "You always take chances on those."
Viciedo signed a $10-million, four-year deal with the White Sox in December, 2008. He settled on a one-year $4.4-million contract in arbitration earlier this year but was cut loose with Chicago looking to former Jay Melky Cabrera in left field.
The five-foot-11, 240-pound Cuban batted .231 last season with 21 home runs and 58 RBIs. He had 122 strikeouts and 32 walks in 523 at-bats and is not known for his outfield defence.
Viciedo hit well against left-handers earlier in his career (.350 against left-handers and .225 against right-handers in 2012) but his splits have narrowed since. He hit .221 against lefties and .235 against righties last season
Viciedo is scheduled to have a medical Monday and take the field Tuesday.