NewsWhite Sox add De Aza to outfield mix
Injuries hobbled waiver claim while with Marlins
By Scott Merkin / MLB.com
10/21/09 6:40 PM EST
CHICAGO -- Alejandro De Aza became the first offseason addition made by the White Sox on Wednesday, as the left-handed-hitting outfielder was claimed off waivers from the Marlins.Although general manager Ken Williams and his staff still have roster tweaks, changes and adjustments to make during the upcoming weeks and months, the fleet-footed De Aza could serve as an extra outfielder in the spot-starter, defensive-replacement sort of role.
De Aza, 25, spent most of the 2009 season with Triple-A New Orleans, hitting .300 with eight home runs, 34 RBIs, a .370 on-base and a .506 slugging percentage in 87 games. He also played in 22 games with the Marlins last season, going 5-for-20 (.250) with three RBIs and six runs scored.
The native of Guaymate, Dominican Republic, is a .232 (38-for-164) hitter in 67 Major-League games with Florida in 2007 and 2009. He originally signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers as a free agent in 2001 and was selected by the Marlins in the Minor League phase of the '04 Rule 5 Draft.
Florida's plethora of outfield prospects moved De Aza out of the picture. He won the starting center field job going into the 2007 season and hit .303 through April 15 before suffering a hairline fracture in his right ankle that sidelined him until Aug. 8.
Carlos Quentin and Alex Rios remain the only current certainties in the White Sox outfield. Leadoff man Scott Podsednik is a free agent, while the White Sox and veteran Jermaine Dye have a $12 million mutual option with a $1 million buyout for 2010.
Scott Merkin is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
