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White Sox’s offer to be discussed
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The dominoes may begin to fall today regarding the Diamondbacks’ long-term viability for spring training in Tucson.
The Pima County Board of Supervisors is to discuss a $5 million offer from the Chicago White Sox to get out of their lease this spring. If approved, that would leave only two teams in Tucson — the D-Backs and Colorado Rockies.
The White Sox would like to train at the new Glendale facility they are to share with the Los Angeles Dodgers this season, and have asked Pima County to expedite its decision.
“It’s probably the best financial arrangement for the county,” Pima County administrator Chuck Huckelberry told the Tucson Citizen.
The White Sox’s lease expires in 2012, the same year the D-Backs’ lease expires.
Colorado can leave Tucson if there are only two teams remaining, according to its lease, although the Rockies do not seem inclined to move and have had talks with the county about a possible new complex in Marana.
The D-Backs’ lease stipulates that they may not leave Tucson unless they are the only team left.
VAZQUEZ ON THE RADAR
Ramon Vazquez is on the D-Backs’ radar as a candidate for their vacancy at second base.
Vazquez, 32, is a free agent after spending the last two seasons in Texas. He previously played in Cleveland, Boston, San Diego and Seattle. A left-handed hitter, Vazquez batted .290 with 18 doubles, six homers and 40 RBIs in 300 at-bats last season while playing third base.
HALE AWAITS DECISION
Chip Hale spoke to Seattle general manager Jack Zduriencik about the Mariners’ vacant managerial position again Saturday and admitted that he is “sitting on pins and needles” awaiting a decision.
Hale, the D-Backs’ third-base coach, is one of seven candidates who had formal interviews with Zduriencik in Seattle last week.
SHORT HOP
D-Backs director of player development A.J. Hinch and scouting director Tom Allison watched Cuban free-agent third baseman Dayan Viciedo, 19, during his workout for all major league teams in the Dominican Republic last week. Viciedo shares the same agent as Cuban and White Sox player Alexei Ramirez, and some believe he will get a contract similar to the four-year, $4.75 million deal Ramirez signed last year.
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