Omar

Vizquel

He’s one of 11 new names on the ballot, which also includes (in alphabetical order) A.J. Burnett, Michael Cuddyer, Dan Haren, LaTroy Hawkins, Tim Hudson, Torii Hunter, Aramis Ramírez, Nick Swisher, Shane Victorino and Barry Zito. A number of these players had very good careers, but there’s not a no-doubter in the bunch, which should make for an interesting year in terms of voting. Curt Schilling (who received 70 percent of the vote last year) would appear in strong position to make it in his ninth year on the ballot. Roger Clemens (61.0 percent), Barry Bonds (60.7 percent) and Omar Vizquel (52.6 percent) were the only others to receive votes on at least 50 percent of ballots last year. Players must be on 75 percent of ballots to earn their place in Cooperstown.

Vizquel will be looked at again in 5-7 days. If there is no improvement, he will undergo arthroscopic surgery and miss the rest of the season.

Consider him day-to-day.

He has missed the past two games due to a right ring finger injury. If healthy, Vizquel will want to play as much as possible the last 10 games of the season as they could be his last as the Indians’ starting shortstop.

Of course, GMs aren’t supposed to be discussing money with another team’s free agents right now. Still, it wouldn’t be surprising if this were true. Vizquel is exactly what the White Sox think they need.

It’s still assumed that the team is the White Sox. The Red Sox were also interested, but they’re not going to match the two-year, $8 million offer Vizquel reportedly has received from the Pale Hose.

The Giants will give up their first-round pick to sign Vizquel, but that’s not something they’re at all concerned about. The positive here is that his addition will make Deivi Cruz a backup.

Unless the White Sox come back with a four-year offer anyway. This is just a bad idea. Vizquel has been a solid player in only two of the last four years and he’s turning 38 in April. He could completely lose it at any time.

The only way that’s going to change is if Ray Durham is traded. If that happens, it’s likely Vizquel would bat leadoff and be followed by J.T. Snow.

“I thought I was going to be a Chicago White Sox until late Friday night,” Vizquel said, adding that the Giants only added the third year to their proposal on Saturday. “I’m surprised and very happy that the Giants offered me a three-year deal at my age,” he said.