|
|
| While the White Sox are hoping Omar Vizquel can serve as a mentor to both Gordon Beckham and Alexei Ramirez next season, they are also likely to have him work with Low-A shortstop prospect Eduardo Escobar, according to the Chicago Tribune. |
Our View: Escobar, only 20, obviously does not figure into the Sox's immediate plans, but could be a starter down-the-line. Learning from Vizquel can only help his chances of one day making the majors.
|
|
|
|
| ESPN's Jorge Arangure is reporting that Omar Vizquel has officially signed with the Chicago White Sox. |
Our View: Dollar figures for the deal have yet to be divulged. He should serve as a nice mentor to both Gordon Beckham and Alexei Ramirez on the South Side as a reserve infielder next season.
|
|
|
|
| Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports that the Chicago White Sox are close to signing Omar Vizquel to a one-year deal to be a reserve shortstop. |
Our View: Well, the White Sox certainly don't need to get any older, but even at age 42, you won't find a better defensive sub at short than Vizquel.
|
|
|
|
| The Rangers have been in serious talks regarding re-signing Omar Vizquel, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: Vizquel can still get the job done defensively, and batted .266 over 177 at-bats with Texas in 2009. He would serve as a quality backup behind Elvis Andrus at shortstop if brought back for next season.
|
|
|
|
| MLB.com is reporting that Rangers' shortstop Omar Vizquel plans to return for the 2010 season. Next season will be Vizquel's 22nd major league campaign. |
Our View: Vizquel has never been much of a hitter, but his 11 Gold Gloves put him in the elite at the shortstop position defensively. He may not be an everyday player as he heads for season number 22, but he can surely come off the bench as a defensive replacement.
|
|
|
|
| Omar Vizquel has been scratched from Tuesday's lineup with flu-like symptoms, according to the Associated Press. |
Our View: Elvis Andrus will start at shortstop instead. Vizquel was going to play in his first game since July 10.
|
|
|
|
| According to the Miami Herald, Omar Vizquel needs just one hit to tie the record for most in Major League history by a native of Venezuela. |
Our View: Luis Aparicio currently holds the record with 2,677. Vizquel will clearly pass him, but as a backup in Texas no one is sure when. He also holds no fantasy value due to the fact that he isn't playing every day. Still, when he does break the record it will be a nice moment for the HOF-bound Vizquel.
|
|
|
|
| The Boston Herald reports that backup Rangers shortstop Omar Vizquel would welcome a trade to the Red Sox. |
Our View: Vizquel is unlikely to be traded with the Rangers in contention, but he would fill the Sox glaring need of an above average defensive shortstop. For now, though, it appears to be a pipe dream for the 42-year-old Vizquel.
|
|
|
|
| Omar Vizquel will start at second base in Saturday's game at Houston, according to the Star-Telegram. Ian Kinsler is getting his first day off to rest. |
Our View: Vizquel is hitting .400 over 20 at-bats in May, and will be playing at hitter-friendly Minute Maid Park. He is worth fantasy consideration if you have him on your roster.
|
|
|
|
| According to the Dallas Morning News, Omar Vizquel will get the start at third base on Saturday for the first time in his professional career. |
Our View: One of the greatest defensive shortstops to ever play the game is trying out something new today. We'll monitor his progress at the hot corner, but he'll have a much bigger task ahead of him tonight. Facing John Danks.
|
|
|
|
| Omar Vizquel will make his 2009 debut with the Rangers today against the Indians, according to the Star-Telegram. |
Our View: He will be facing his former team, but only hit .222 with no homers over 266 at-bats in 2008, and should not be considered for fantasy lineups.
|
|
|
|
| Omar Vizquel has been slowed by a sore lower back that he sustained during batting practice, according to the Star-Telegram. |
Our View: He is starting to feel better, and expects to make his spring debut Sunday against Seattle. The aging vet cannot afford to miss time while competing with future star Elvis Andrus for the starting gig at shortstop.
|
|
|
|
| Omar Vizquel is yet to report to spring camp with the Rangers, according to the Dallas Morning News. The mandatory report date for all players is Sunday. |
Our View: The veteran will be competing with 20-year-old Elvis Andrus for the starting gig at shortstop, but it should be the speedy Andrus' job to lose.
|
|
|
|
| Omar Vizquel still believes he can be an everyday player, according to Foul Territory. |
Our View: He may actually get the chance to be just that if 20-year-old Elvis Andrus stumbles in spring training. However, it's unlikely he ever recovers his fantasy value. The veteran hit just .222 in 266 at-bats with the Giants last season.
|
|
|
|
| Omar Vizquel signed a minor league deal with the Rangers on Wednesday, according to MLB.com. He will fit into the club's plans as a backup infielder. |
Our View: The Rangers acquired one of the best defensive shortstops in the league, which is what they need for a backup. His days of having an offensive impact are over in all likelihood, so he won't have any fantasy value in 2009.
|
|
|
|
| MLB.com reports that Omar Vizquel is expected to sign with the Rangers on Tuesday. |
Our View: Vizquel is the insurance policy in case Elvis Andrus does not appear ready by opening day. He will likely serve as the Andrus' backup and mentor throughout his rookie season. Vizquel no longer holds any fantasy value.
|
|
|
|
| The Rangers are interested in Omar Vizquel, according to the Hot Stove Blog on MLB.com. |
Our View: They would like to ink the 11-time Gold Glove winner to a one-year deal. It does not appear that Michael Young will be working at shortstop next season, and the club needs insurance in case Elvis Andrus is not ready.
|
|
|
|
| Omar Vizquel could ink with the Padres by the end of the week, according to Channel 4 San Diego. |
Our View: Vizquel has won 11 Gold Gloves in his career, and could be a passable one-year stopgap at shortstop following the departure of Khalil Greene. He will offer little offensively, though.
|
|
|
|
| Omar Vizquel was released by the Giants after the season, but he stated that he wants to continue playing in 2009, according to MLB.com. The 41-year-old vet said, "I feel really good and I don't want to retire knowing I can be a little better than I was last season. I don't have anything yet, but I want to play and my agent has been talking to a couple of teams. I can't tell you who they are." |
Our View: He prefers to remain in the NL, and the Padres and Dodgers were believed to have some interest. Vizquel has 2,657 hits and needs just 21 more to pass Hall of Famer Luis Aparicio for the most hits in MLB history while roaming shortstop.
|
|
|
|
| The Press-Enterprise reports that the Padres have interest in shortstop Omar Vizquel and that the Dodgers do not, as was previously reported. |
Our View: It doesn't seem likely that the 42-year-old would be interested in joining a team that does not figure to contend next season, but they may be the only team interested in offering him a deal. He hit .222 in 92 games last season with the Giants.
|
|
|
|
| The Dodgers may be interested in adding verteran free-agent Omar Vizquel if they lose shortstop Rafael Furcal in free agency, according to the Daily News. |
Our View: He'll turn 42 in April, and he hasn't hit better than .250 in three years. But he IS an 11-time Gold Glove winner and would be another excellent addition to the clubhouse.
|
|
|
|
| Omar Vizquel's option for $5.2 million was declined by the Giants on Tuesday, according to Mlb.com. |
Our View: The free agent pool is pretty shallow at shortstop after Rafael Furcal, which could lead to Vizquel finding a job as a starter still.
|
|
|
|
| Omar Vizquel is recovering from laser surgery that he had performed on his eye, according to the AP. |
Our View: Vizguel was told by the Giants that there is zero percent chance that he would be back with the team in 2009. That doesn't mean the 19 year veteran is done. "There’s no doubt in my mind that I can still play."
|
|
|
|
| MLB.com reports that Giants general manager Brian Sabean all but officially severed the club's ties with Omar Vizquel as a player by saying Monday that the 41-year-old shortstop won't be re-signed for the 2009 season. |
Our View: He insisted that he hopes to remain an active player next year. "There's no doubt in my mind that I can still play," he said. "I want to play, and that's what I'm going to do." Whatever his situation in 2009, fantasy owners can confidently ignore him.
|
|
|
|
| Giants shortstop Omar Vizquel has confirmed that he wants to play again next year because his knee was feeling better, according to the San Jose Mercury News. |
Our View: That will be yet another season fantasy players can completely ignore him.
|
|
|
|
| Manager Bruce Bochy told 41-year-old Omar Vizquel that he will play less in the second half as the Giants look to develop some of their younger players. |
Our View: If you have Vizquel on your roster, its a miracle you are even reading this! The 11-time Gold Glove shortstop is hitting .166 this season.
|
|
|
|
| Omar Vizquel exited Saturday's game in the sixth inning with an apparent foot injury, according to the AP. Ivan Ochoa replaced him in the lineup. |
Our View: We doubt the Giants would shed any tears if they have to place the veteran on the DL. He's batting just .167 on the year, though he did have a pair of hits Saturday before leaving.
|
|
|
|
| Omar Vizquel continues his season long struggles after going 0-for-3 with two strikeouts in the Giants 9-1 loss to the Brewers on Friday. |
Our View: Vizquel is now hitting .156 on the season. Obviously, he doesn't need to be anywhere near a fantasy team, and it is tough to see such a great player likely end his career this way.
|
|
|
|
| A Red Sox official has shot down speculation that the team might be interested in Omar Vizquel with Julio Lugo out 4-6 weeks, according to the Boston Globe. The team in content with a combination of rookie Jed Lowrie and veteran Alex Cora while Lugo is out. |
Our View: There has been speculation that Vizquel was considering retiring over the break because of his offensive woes, but he's made no such announcement thus far. It would be hard to believe that the Sox would consider him an upgrade over Lowrie or Cora at this point.
|
|
|
|
| It is possible that Omar Vizquel may retire during the All-Star break because of the miserable season he is having offensively, according to Troy Renck of the Denver Post. |
Our View: Vizquel is hitting just .150 in 147 at-bats with no home runs and just nine RBI this season. Only three of his 22 hits have been for extra bases, and all have been doubles. Needless to say, nobody anywhere should have him on their fantasy squad.
|
|
|
|
| Omar Vizquel ended his 0-for-18 hitless streak with a seventh inning infield single. Giants manager Bruce Bochy told the team website on Thursday that he has noticed positive signs in Vizquel's swing in the last three games. The veteran shortstop raised his .148 average to .159 with his 2-for-4 performance. |
Our View: Vizquel's two hits gave him his first multihit game since May 21 and first RBI since a squeeze bunt on June 24.
|
|
|
|
| After announcing that Emmanuel Burriss would receive more playing time at shortstop, Giants manager Bruce Bochey started Omar Vizquel for the third straight game on Thursday night, this according to the official Omar Vizquel. "You can see it's close," Bochy said. "We need him. We need his presence, his defense and his offense."
|
Our View: The report notes that Bochy wasn't trying to mislead with his conviction, but rather he has noticed positive signs in Vizquel's swing in the last three games. The veteran shortstop is hitting .148 in 128 at-bats.
|
|
|
|
| Omar Vizquel hasn't officially been removed from the starting lineup, but with a .156 average in 122 AB the Giants figure to give more work to youngster Emanuel Burriss like they did on Monday night, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. "There'll be times Manny gets starts (against right-handers)," manager Bruce Bochy said. "We'll see how Omar is doing. Manny got a couple of at-bats from the left side and got a couple of hits. But we still have a great shortstop out there in Omar. He's out here hitting early and working on it. We're confident he's going to be fine." |
Our View: Vizquel appears to have lost it at the plate, and due to the injury to his leg he has been limited to just two SB when active. At this point he is nothing more than a middle infield option in NL only leagues, and even that is questionable at the moment.
|
|
|
|
| Omar Vizquel continues to hit as if he is going to the plate with a wiffle ball bat as he went 0-for-3 dropping his average to .165 in 115 AB. |
Our View: It's tough to tell if Vizquel has lost it or not, because even when he is going well he employs a series of dinks and bloops to pick up hits. He only has 13 strikeouts on the season, but at some point the Giants are going to have to make a decision on him since they basically have two pitchers hitting in their batting order right now.
|
|
|
|
| Omar Vizquel is reportedly close to being unseated by Emmanuel Burriss for the starting job at shortstop, according to the Mercury News. |
Our View: Vizquel is 41-years old and is only hitting .171 over 105 at-bats, with a .258 OBP. Burriss holds a more starter-worthy .286 average, and would be worth consideration in NL-only leagues if given a chance to play regularly.
|
|
|
|
| Omar Vizquel had three hits and scored three runs for the Giants on Thursday pushing his batting average up to .444 in the process (18 AB). |
Our View: Vizquel has come back swinging the bat with authority, something that certainly doesn't figure to continue moving forward as he is old, has lost a step, and offers no power.
|
|
|
|
| Omar Vizquel is expected to sit on Wednesday after starting the previous four games, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. |
Our View: Vizquel is still on the mend following left knee surgery. He's also old, relatively speaking.
|
|
|
|
| Omar Vizquel is expected to return to the Giants' lineup on Saturday, according to the AP. He has recovered from left knee surgery and the 41-year old infielder is set to begin his 20th Major League campaign. |
Our View: Vizquel is closing in on a milestone as he needs to play in just 14 more games to break Hall of Famer Luis Aparicio’s record for most games played at shortstop (2,584). He is not thinking about retirement, and is already thinking about next season, assuming he is productive in 2008. The Giants' shortstops have gravely struggled at the plate, and Vizquel, who only hit .246 in 2007, will be viewed as a sizable upgrade when he returns to action today.
|
|
|
|
| Omar Vizquel could be activated from the DL as soon as today, according to the Mercury News. The team will have to make a cut to open up a roster spot, unless Ray Durham goes on the DL. Brian Bocock or Emmanuel Burriss probably will be sent to the minors if Durham remains active. Demoting Eugenio Velez is not an option, according to Manager Bruce Bochy. |
Our View: Giants' shortstops have gravely struggled at the plate. Vizquel only hit .246 in 2007, but will be seen as an upgrade when he returns.
|
|
|
|
| The Giants are hopeful that Omar Vizquel can return some time this weekend, according to MLB.com. The 41-year-old shortstop played his fourth game in a Minor League injury rehab stint on Wednesday, while going 2-for-4 with a run scored for Class-A San Jose. Manager Bruce Bochy suggested that Vizquel could fill a roster spot vacated by second baseman Ray Durham. Bochy noted that the Giants must decide before they begin a 10-game homestand Friday whether Durham, who's bothered by a tight right hamstring and has been out of the lineup for four consecutive games, will go on the 15-day DL. Vizquel is trying to rebound from left knee surgery.
|
Our View: Entering Thursday, Giants shortstops ranked last in the Major League with a .170 batting average, a .189 slugging percentage and two RBIs. Vizquel only hit .246 in 2007, but will be seen as an upgrade when he returns.
|
|
|
|
| Giants Head trainer Dave Groeschener commented that he hopes Omar Vizquel can begin playing games at extended spring training in Scottsdale, sometime this week, although the shortstop is not running yet, according to the SF Chronicle. He is recovering from knee surgery. |
Our View: Brian Bocock will continue to man shortstop until he can return.
|
|
|
|
| Omar Vizquel tried to job on Monday, but he felt more soreness in his left knee. The veteran doesn't know when he'll be able to return. "It wasn't right," Vizquel tells MLB.com. "Taking grounders is fine. The sideways movement is fine. But I can't do anything else. I can't even go to a movie theater. I've been home watching a lot of television." |
Our View: Rookie Brian Bocock continues to plug away until Vizquel can return. This spot should really only affect NL-only leagues.
|
|
|
|
| Omar Vizquel, who is recovering from knee surgery, took simulated batting practice and fielded groundballs during Sunday's pre-game activities, this according to the Contra Costa Times. Skipper Bruce Bochy was uncertain about when the veteran shortstop would be ready for a rehabilitation trip to Triple-A Fresno. |
Our View: Vizquel, who has been on the disabled list since the beginning of the season, is expected to return to his starting shortstop role upon his return to the 25-man roster.
|
|
|
|
| Omar Vizquel will resume baseball work today, following a setback in his rehab from left-knee surgery, according to the SF Chronicle. Manager Bochy commented that he hopes Vizquel can resume minor-league games next week. Brian Bocock should continue to man shortstop until he can return. |
|
|
|
| Omar Vizquel's soreness in his surgically repaired left knee is being caused by a bone bruise, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. The team noted that he will rest for 3-to-5 days before resuming his rehab. Brian Bocock should continue to man shortstop until he can return. |
|
|
|
| Omar Vizquel is unlikely to return to the lineup in time for the Giants home opener on Monday, MLB.com reports. The veteran shortstop has been rehabbing following left knee surgery, but recent soreness has caused him to "back off a little bit." Brian Bocock has been starting in Vizquel's place. |
|
|
|
| Omar Vizquel continues to make progress on his recovery from knee surgery, according to the Contra Costa Times. Vizquel played a five-inning simulated game today in Arizona and is scheduled for five more innings today, the team stated. If all goes favorably, Vizquel would begin a rehab assignment on Thursday. It seems that the team's best option is to send Vizquel to Single-A San Jose, which plays at Bakersfield. He will continue to be replaced by Brian Bocock until he is ready to return. |
|
|
|
| Omar Vizquel has been placed on the 15-day DL as he recovers from knee surgery, according to SlamSports. He continues to make progress, but will be replaced by Brian Bocock on opening day. |
|
|
|
| Omar Vizquel is slated to take part in a minor league game Saturday, and there's a chance he'll be ready for opening day, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. "I'll only say it's possible. I don't know how it's going to turn out," GM Brian Sabean said. Vizquel is recovering from knee surgery performed at the end of last month. It sounds like even if he doesn't play opening day, he should be ready for action soon after that. |
|
|
|
| Omar Vizquel was able to take 20 swings from both sides of the plate on Sunday, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. He felt some soreness in his surgically repaired knee while taking cuts from the left side. Vizquel likely won't be ready for game action until the second week of the season. |
|
|
|
| Omar Vizquel threw Saturday for the first time since undergoing knee surgery on Feb. 27, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. "Everything is on schedule. Everything's good. No pain," Vizquel said. "I think it's realistic to get back for the home opener. That's what I'm shooting for." At this point, Vizquel is aiming to be ready to join the Giants for game action during the second week of the season. |
|
|
|
| Omar Vizquel is progressing well from his his knee injury and surgery, and has begun work on his rehab program, this according to MLB.com. Initially estimated to miss 4-6 weeks, Vizquel has been out for almost three weeks already. "Everything is going all right," he said. "I'm about a week from running." One of the few things he is still capable of doing on offense is running, so be very careful with rostering Omar until you see his bad wheel is back in shape. |
|
|
|
| Omar Vizquel will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his left knee. The slick-fielding shortstop is expected to miss four to five weeks, according to the AP. Manager Bruce Bochy said he plans on using Kevin Frandsen at shortstop while the 40-year-old is out. The Giants' first game is a little less than five weeks away, so Vizquel will almost surely begin the year on the DL. Frandsen is a worthy NL-only selection. |
|
|
|
| Omar Vizquel agreed to a one-year, $5.3 million deal with the Giants on Friday, according to the AP. The deal includes a club option that could make it worth $10.2 million over two seasons. "Bringing Omar back was one of our top priorities this offseason," GM Brian Sabean said. "He is still one of the premier defensive shortstops in the game, and with the talent of our pitching staff, having his glove and leadership on the field is a necessity." Vizquell doesn't hold much fantasy value in standard leagues, although his double-digit steals total does give him value in NL-only play. |
|
|
|
| Omar Vizquel was given a routine day off Tuesday, the AP reports. |
|
|
|
| Omar Vizquel returned to the starting lineup on Friday after being held out of games Tuesday and Wednesday because of a strained right groin, according to the AP. He singled in the second and stole his seventh base of the year. |
|
|
|
| Omar Vizquel was held out for another day Wednesday as he deals with a sore groin. The Giants are off Thursday. |
|
|
|
| Omar Vizquel was held out of Tuesday's game after leaving Monday's game with tightness in his right groin, according to the AP. Vizquel could miss Wednesday's game as well, but said he should be back for the weekend series against Arizona. "He was swinging the bat well so the timing is not great for him to miss a day or two," manager Bruce Bochy said. |
|
|
|
| Omar Vizquel did not start on Monday because of a sinus infection, according to the AP. He is listed as day-to-day. |
|
|
|
| Omar Vizquel was given a routine day off Friday, the AP reports. He's expected to be back in the lineup Saturday. |
|
|
|
| Omar Vizquel was dropped to the No. 8 spot in the lineup Thursday, as expected. He went 1-for-3 with a run and two RBI, though Randy Winn, the batter promoted at the expense of Vizquel, had three hits and two runs scored. |
|
|
|
| Omar Vizquel got the night off Wednesday and might be moved down to the eighth spot in the order when he returns to action, Bruce Bochy told the AP. Vizquel is off to a .221 start this year, and Bochy would like to get Randy Winn back up near the top of the order. |
|
|
|
| Omar Vizquel got Wednesday night off with Rich Aurilia starting in his place, the AP reports. "He was under the weather yesterday, but he's fine," manager Bruce Bochy said about Vizquel, adding that the shortstop "will be getting more days off this year than he's accustomed to." |
|
|
|
| Omar Vizquel hasn't spoken to the Giants about an extension past this season as he had hoped, the AP reports. "I figure I will just play my game and whatever happens next year happens," said Vizquel, who turns 40 on April 24. Vizquel went 1-for-5 with an RBI and a stolen base in Wednesday's loss to San Diego. |
|
|
|
| Omar Vizquel, who turns 40 on April 24, says he can play "another two good years" beyond 2007 and plans to sit down with Giants General Manager Brian Sabean sometime this spring to discuss a contract extension, according to the Mercury News. "Age is overrated," Vizquel said. "I feel pretty good about myself. Of course other people will not think so. They always say, 'Oh he lost a step,' or, 'He's not the same,' or, 'His arm is not as strong.' I feel completely different. I feel I'm improving every year. I still have a lot more to give." |
|
|
|
| Omar Vizquel did not play on Thursday after fouling a ball off of his right foot on Wednesday, according to the AP. "That's a tough guy to keep out of the lineup," Alou said. "He could use the off-day, too. I've seen some signs of him dragging a little bit." Vizquel will probably play on Friday. |
|
|
|
| Omar Vizquel was forced to leave Wednesday's game in the fifth inning because of a bruised foot, according to the AP. Vizquel was injured while running out an infield single and was replaced by pinch-runner Jose Vizcaino, who stayed in the game. X-rays on Vizquel's foot were negative, and he is considered day-to-day. |
|
