GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Oakland A's fans are not the only ones eagerly waiting to see Yoenis Cespedes. Count fellow Cuban émigré Alexei Ramirez among those who look forward to Cespedes taking to the Major League fields.

"I'm really excited to play [against] him," said Ramirez, through manager of cultural relations Jackson Miranda. "Like I said, the guy is a great player and is a great talent.

"It's something you won't be able to see until you see him play this year. But I'm excited because I think everything I said about him will come true."

Ramirez will be playing under a four-year, $32.5 million extension starting in 2012. Cespedes signed a free-agent deal with the A's worth $36 million over four years.

Rios' corner-outfield spot unsettled

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- With just one prior career game of experience playing left field, Alex Rios seemed a bit hesitant to make the move from center to the new position when asked about this switch at his Spring Training arrival.

Rios looks as if he'll still be moving out of center for the 2012 season. But according to comments from general manager Ken Williams and manager Robin Ventura, the veteran could find himself in the more familiar region of right field with Dayan Viciedo emerging as the starting left fielder.

"Robin and I are discussing that now," said Williams of the outfield realignment. "Robin has some ideas he wants to play with."

Williams gave way to Ventura for those particular ideas, with Ventura picking up the Viciedo to left possibility during his daily media session.

"It's one of those where he has the ability to play both in my mind," said Ventura of Viciedo. "And whatever's best for us that we see fit, he could be in left. I wouldn't put that out of the possibilities."

Spring Training
• Spring Training schedule

Of Rios' 1,126 games played in the outfield, 720 of them have come in right. He played 271 games total in right during the 2006 and 2007 campaigns, when he put up some of his best numbers at the plate.

Viciedo has never played left field, and when factoring in third base and right field, this would be his third position change since joining the White Sox. But Ventura believes Viciedo's athleticism will help him through another move.

"He's acclimated himself to whatever he's been asked to do," said Ventura of Viciedo, who has the best outfield arm, which usual means a right-field start. "I'm not too worried about it."

"I can play anywhere," said Viciedo, through translator and manager of cultural development Jackson Miranda, when asked if he could still play third base. "Wherever they want me to play, I'll play."

With the versatile presence of Alejandro De Aza, Brent Lillibridge and Kosuke Fukudome, Ventura could mix and match for certain games. But he would prefer having a steady starting setup.

Few early hints on rotation lineup

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- White Sox pitching coach Don Cooper didn't want to reveal the starting pitcher for his team's Cactus League opener against the Dodgers on March 5, let alone the team's Opening Day hurler, when asked on Monday. But Cooper did list Gavin Floyd and Chris Sale as the starters for a March 3 intrasquad game. The White Sox will have another intrasquad game on March 4.

Jacob Petricka, Eric Stults, Donnie Veal and Brian Omogrosso also will work in Saturday's contest. Cooper talked about rookie Addison Reed still having work to do to make the team, but he also talked about knowing nine guys already on the staff as competition gets ready to take off.

Factoring in five starters and relievers Matt Thornton, Jesse Crain and Will Ohman, Reed would figure to be the ninth.

"We want to get through these four days and get ready then to compete," Cooper said. "We know the nine guys on the team. Their schedules will be laid out. The fun part is watching the competition: who steps up, who goes and gets it.

"It's a wonderful time to be a young guy in this camp. Not only to show what they can do, but possibly make the team and get on the plane when we leave to go play Texas."

Cooper preaching patience with closer's role

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Bringing up Addison Reed in the White Sox closer discussion quickly was shot down by pitching coach Don Cooper. It's not because of Reed being a rookie, but basically because Cooper isn't close to assigning the ninth-inning role.

"We're not talking closer now. I'm talking about relieving," Cooper said. "The closer situation -- we haven't had a game yet.

"That closer thing, we'll figure out who that guy is. It won't be Feb. 27. It will be more like March 27. So hold on to that question."

Third to first

• Manager Robin Ventura pointed out Gavin Floyd and Chris Sale as two hurlers who stood out during the team's first live batting practice session on Monday.

"Guys were flinching behind the screen. He's fun to watch," said Ventura of Sale. "We've seen them throw to nobody, so now it's good to see a guy flinch when he sees [Floyd's] curve and see how good he is."

• Look for Adam Dunn to get some days at first base and possibly even in the outfield during the regular season. The move is designed by Ventura to give others rest, as much as getting Dunn into the flow of the action.

"Once you are in that situation, it's good for both of them," Ventura said. "I'd like to see Paulie [Konerko] get a day off more often as he gets older.

"I'm thinking more of my own experience of getting older and trying to play every day, and it's better to be fresh and get a couple days off. We have options, but I'd like to see Adam do that."

• One of the more interesting sights from Monday was shortstop Alexei Ramirez and outfielder Kosuke Fukudome conversing with each other in the clubhouse through their respective translators, Jackson Miranda and D.J. Matsumoto.

• The full White Sox roster is scheduled to report on Tuesday, and Ventura is putting the finishing touches on his speech.

"I'm topping most of it off. I got most of the points there," Ventura said. "It's one of those you kind of go over it, but it's pretty streamlined right now."

• Dayan Viciedo took one message away from the White Sox offseason trade of Carlos Quentin, opening up a 2012 starting spot.

"The message is the opportunity is there," said Viciedo through Miranda. "Get ready, get in shape, come up here and make the team."