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Blue Jays agree to minor-league deal with Dayan Viciedo

John E. Sokolowski / USA TODAY Sports

The Toronto Blue Jays added some insurance to their outfield Sunday by agreeing to a minor-league deal with Dayan Viciedo, the team announced

"You don’t expect (guys like him) to be available on a minor-league deal this late," general manager Alex Anthopoulos told Mike Wilner of Sportsnet. "He’s a young man, he’s got quite a bit of power."

Viciedo, who will reportedly earn $2.5 million should he make the team, had spent his entire five-year career with the Chicago White Sox before he was released last month in order to accommodate Gordon Beckham on the 40-man roster. 

As Anthopoulos alluded to, the 25-year-old provides plenty of power. Viciedo has hit at least 21 home runs in two of the last three seasons, though his game comes with no shortage of deficiencies. Viciedo slashed .231/.281/.405 in 145 games last season, while striking out 122 times and presented himself as a liability defensively. 

The right-handed hitter could present himself as a platoon option against left-handed pitching, as he owns a career .291/.331/.507 line against southpaws, compared to .240/.286/.393 against righties. 

He split his time defensively in the corner outfield a season ago, while also appearing in four games at first base. He will compete for time in left field, third base and first this spring, according to Shi Davidi of Sportsnet

The Blue Jays began discussing Viciedo following the news that Michael Saunders would be sidelined for four-to-six weeks following a torn meniscus in his left knee. 

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