The 19-year-old Viciedo played three seasons with Villa Clara in the Cuban League, batting .296 with 32 home runs and 123 RBI in 233 games.

He is expected to compete for playing time at third base with Josh Fields and perhaps Wilson Betemit, who was acquired in a trade with the Yankees and agreed to a $1.3 million, one-year deal Thursday. Joe Crede is a free agent, but the White Sox are not expected to re-sign him.

"My best defensive position is third base. It's the position I've always played and the position I feel most comfortable in," Viciedo said through a translator during a conference call.

But Viciedo said he also would be willing to try the outfield, if that's what the White Sox needed.

The White Sox would like Viciedo to drop some weight before spring training starts in February. He said he currently tips the scales at 246 pounds and plans on being down to 230.

"I don't have any doubt that I can get there," he said.

The White Sox freed up dollars in a couple of trades, sending Nick Swisher to the Yankees in the Betemit deal and shipping right-hander Javier Vazquez to the Braves for prospects.

Whether Viciedo starts the season with the major league team or in the minors could depend on how well he plays in spring training and how quickly he gets acclimated to new surroundings at such a young age.

He said Ramirez's success was a motivation for him and the two would start working out together in Florida before spring training.

Ramirez batted .290 with 21 homers, including a major league rookie-record four grand slams, and 77 RBIs. He finished second in the AL Rookie of the Year balloting to Tampa Bay's Evan Longoria.

"Cuban baseball I feel is good baseball," Viciedo said. "With what he did, I feel I can also be successful."

The White Sox also agreed to a one-year deal with outfielder DeWayne Wise for $550,000 and avoided arbitration. Wise batted .248 with six homers and 18 RBIs in 57 games last season, his first with the White Sox after signing as a minor league free agent March 5.