Vizquel denies giving Cleveland bad rap

The Indians were never in the picture when Omar Vizquel sought employment over the winter.

The White Sox and Vizquel's agent, Adam Katz, quickly came to a meeting of the minds and after one season with the Rangers.

Vizquel no longer is an everyday player, but he is still a player. He batted .266 in 177 at-bats in 2009 and has become adept at playing second and third, as well as shortstop.

""I was looking for a job and Chicago was in the picture when I went to San Francisco (in 2005),'' he said today. ""So I signed with them right away. It was pretty cool.
""Chicago was the first team that talked to me. I never talked to Cleveland.''
There was a published report that Vizquel did not want to return to the Tribe because Cleveland lacked the quality and quantity of artists and art museums compared to a larger city. The source of that story was Katz.

""I never said that,'' Vizquel said. ""I have more friends in Cleveland who do art than San Francisco. And Cleveland has a world class museum.''

Would Vizquel come back to Cleveland if given the chance?

""Whenever they call me,'' he said with a smile.

When told that the team was in a financial bind, Vizquel said, ""I don't ask for much money.''