MLB has informed teams that Cuban outfielder Yoenis Cespedes is now a free agent, Ben Badler of Baseball America reports. Cespedes, a client of Adam Katz of Wasserman Media Group, recently gained residency in the Dominican Republic.
Earlier this week, it appeared that the Cubs, Marlins, and Tigers were the teams most actively targeting Cespedes. The White Sox, Orioles, Indians, Yankees, Phillies, Blue Jays and Rangers also appear to have some interest in Cespedes, but the Nationals aren’t involved.
The Mystery team is going to be all over this guy. I can’t wait.
Mystery team=Detroit after signing prince nobody will expect it
Please, PLEASE no.
Mystery team=Houston
Something completely unexpected.
(And a big mistake, but it could happen.)
*yawn*
AND SO IT BEGINS
Can anyone let me know how he’s doing in winter ball?
3000 push-ups
Awesome, now time to announce Soler’s free agency
What type of player is this guy projected to become?
poor man’s adam jones
poor mans Alex Rios
lmao Alex Rios is garbage. There’s a reason the Jays gave him up on waivers.
his contract was the reason. rios has been a good player most of his career
He was a five tool player in Cuba, he’s the real deal. He had a poor showing in Winterball, but I think that was more him just wanting swing a bat and work on his timing type of thing. He definitely has 30/30 potential, has plus arm strength, and great range in the outfield. He’s built like a brick-(poop)-house, if he keeps his strikeouts down, he’s got the potential to be a monster and contribute immediately.
The biggest problem with being a five tool Cuban player is figuring out what to do with 3 hammers and 2 sickles.
Yeah well, Hechavarria is project to be a five tool player and look where we are with him…
When signed what level of ball is this guy ready for? will he get a big contract with such bad numbers in winter ball?
If Boras is this guy’s agent, he will get 5year/$75M.
thats minimum right?
He will get a big contract. There’s no question about it. AAA would be the lowest he would start out at, but he will likely start at the bigs because of the big contract he will sign.
Off of the hype he started with this offseason, he would’ve gotten a decent contract. It might be a limited amount of at bats, but I think he hurt his value by playing winter ball.
Jason McLeod said he needs at least 100 AAA at bats.
I want the Jays to get one of him or Soler, spend some of the Darvish money
Just in time to replace all the Prince Fielder rumors!
CONSPIRACY
I know, I was getting bored without any rumors about an overhyped player who wont be worth his money!
My prediction: Marlins, 5 years $55 MM
DO NOT WANT
I feel bad whoever signs him. HE says he is 26 but i’m guessing he is probably closer to 30 at least. Needs one year in the minors at least. Look at his body type too. I don’t see him as a CF. LF, 1B or DH is more realistic. I keep thinking Heremida/Carmona with this guy.
I agree with everything you say except the “body type”. Apparently this guy can run 6.35 on the 60s. I don’t know if it is true or not but anything below 7.0 is fast. Certainly capable of playing center field
I wanted him until he started playing winter ball. I think i will pass now.
I would think that the infinity/0 K/BB ratio would only peak the Cubs’ interest.
Hell be a Yankee
Teams spend money on this guy at THEIR OWN RISK. Personally if I were a GM I wouldn’t touch him. He seems to strikeout too much and did horrible in winterball from what I’ve heard. All hype. A perfect match for the Yankees, or Red Sox.
Time for the O’s to make a move… haha, I just made myself laugh with that one
He is projected to be an all-star member of the mystery team. Think Billy Mays. It’s almost spring training time…..high hopes and a juke box full of tunes all on someone else’s dollar. One teaspoon every four hours should get the job done, if not turn to page 32 under Ask a question and ponder the answer. Help that was hopeful.
Dade County Marlins
Whichever team signs him is taking a huge risk and I’m glad that the Braves are having nothing to do with it.
i’m sure if you pulled a lot of players’ first 35 ABs from down there you’d find bigger names with numbers that were just as bad or worse. and i’m sure you’ll find players who stink and CRUSHED down there. i trust the guys in charge now, so if they sign him, GREAT. it means they’re as sure about him as they could possibly be. the cubs have shown they’re not just going to throw money around, so for them to make this move in a rebuilding year, i’d see it as more an indication of what they really believe he can do. the only people ragging on the cubs looking to get involved are the teams that are afraid of being drowned out of the division once theo & jed get their plan in motion.
Yuniesky Betancourt 2.0
If he’s the real deal, he might be a great fit in Texas. After missing out on Fielder, he could be almost an adequate replacement. What wonders he could do if he hits for that team.
If he’s anything like Hechavarria, he won’t be able to hit and might make the Majors by the end of his contract…
So Mystery Team is not involved? This guy must be worthless….
I don’t see him being any more than an overpaid Melky Cabrera, I’d be happy if my team passed on this guy. Too much hype.
I don’t see why teams don’t put language in the contracts for players from another country that states that if at some point during the contract if it is found out they lied about their aga and or names that the contact is voided and the owe all or a portion of the money paid to them back to the team that signed them. If that doesn’t keep them from pulling this age crap I don’t know what will.
It would make sense from a fan standpoint but look at it from a team standpoint. If for example they found out Jose Reyes was 3 years older than what he is do you think the marlins are going to get rid of him after that big contract? think again.
This age problem sucks but there’s just no easy way to fix it. The best bet is to force the teams to run a background check and present it to MLB when they sign