Dayan Viciedo officially released by White Sox

Jul 5, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox right fielder Dayan Viciedo (24) is safe at second base with a double during the eighth inning against the Seattle Mariners at U.S Cellular Field. Seattle won 3-2 in 14 innings. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

It looks like the market for a “tank” just isn’t what it used to be … even the guys from “American Pickers” and “Pawn Stars” weren’t interested in making a deal.

All kidding aside, on Wednesday, the Chicago White Sox officially released outfielder Dayan Viciedo after he played the five seasons with the club, but never living up to the potential the White Sox had for him when they signed him as a free agent in ’08.

This was a move that needed to be made, because what is the point of having a “Tank” if it isn’t very consistent?

The 25-year-old Viciedo was originally designated for assignment on Jan. 28 when the White Sox signed Gordon Beckham via free agency and designated Tank for assignment that same day.

Next: The White Sox need more RBIs in 2015

Manager Robin Ventura has been on record saying one of the reasons for Tank’s being designated for assignment was his lack of overall consistency. Sure, Tank has power and is in his mid-20s, but he batted .254 in his time with the White Sox with 66 home runs (an average of 13.2 per season).

Viciedo also had just 211 RBIs in 483 games. Even this past season, Viciedo batted just .231 with 21 home runs and 58 RBIs in 145 games. His on-base percentage was .281 and he struck out 122 times.

The move will eventually benefit both parties, because the White Sox really didn’t need Viciedo since they made the move to sign Melky Cabrera this offseason, and for Viciedo, he’ll most likely sign with another team and make their MLB roster.

On the plus side for Tank, he’ll receive just over $700,000 since the White Sox released him, not a bad way to be released from a job.

In other White Sox news:

• Alexei Ramirez is “happy” he’s staying with the White Sox this season, writes WhiteSox.com.

• Bleacher Report listed the 5 most important players for White Sox success in 2015.

• CSN Chicago talks about Rick Hahn and his thoughts on the PECOTA projection.

• The Star Tribune in Minnesota took a look at the White Sox.

• Yency Almonte was the player to be named later, as we wrote about at Southside Showdown.

• Yesterday, we also wrote about how the White Sox need more RBIs in ’15 to be successful.