Yoenis Cespedes Officially Declared By MLB a Free Agent

[Jaypers]

Word just came down.

Let the bidding frenzy begin.

Who do you believe will sign him? Vote above.

 

[Joshua.Roundtree]

Word just came down.

Let the bidding frenzy begin.

Who do you believe will sign him? Vote above.

I'm not so sure it'll be nearly as intense as most predicted last September. He was abyssmal in the Dominican Winter League.

 

[hail2thevictors]

Word just came down.

Let the bidding frenzy begin.

Who do you believe will sign him? Vote above.

I'm not so sure it'll be nearly as intense as most predicted last September. He was abyssmal in the Dominican Winter League.

That is too small of a sample size to think people have cooled off. I see him getting a lot of money, in fact more than what people said in September. If I recall, people were saying around $30 M then, and lately some have said $50 M I believe.

 

[chompsmcgee]

Tigers? Really?

 

[Jaypers]

Tigers? Really?

They did express interest in him.

 

[chompsmcgee]

Tigers? Really?

They did express interest in him.

I believe that was prior to spending $214M on one player.

 

[Jaypers]

Tigers? Really?

They did express interest in him.

I believe that was prior to spending $214M on one player.

They took many people by surprise by signing Prince. I wouldn't put it past them for lightning to strike twice.

 

[colts1888]

I wouldnt rule out the Yankees

 

[ahill1]

I read that the 2 favorites are Marlins and Cubs . The Marlins have said to be willing to offer north of 60mil but they say he prefers the Cubs

 

[CAROLINA BOSOX]

Cuban star in Miami would fill alot of seats. The Marlins are wanting to make a statement this off season and he would make a nice addition.

 

[SydBarrett]

I definitely think the team to beat is Miami.

 

[nborton]

Tigers? Really?

They did express interest in him.

I believe that was prior to spending $214M on one player.

They took many people by surprise by signing Prince. I wouldn't put it past them for lightning to strike twice.

If you follow the reporters in the DR they say that the Tigers are the team with the most people there scouting. And have been for a long time.

I know people think it's crazy, but they say they are still in on Cespedes, and a DH like Damon.

 

[bigpapiMA32]

Indians as a dark horse? Seems like they could use an exciting young hitter.

 

[jrinne]

A report came out that he isn't interested in Miami.

 

[ballerskrip]

This is the perfect signing for the Cubs, and they have TONS AND TONS AND TONS of cash to spend.

 

[Zambrano38]

This is the perfect signing for the Cubs, and they have TONS AND TONS AND TONS of cash to spend.

Ya I imagine they are going to be willing to spend on both Cespedes and Soler.

 

[ballerskrip]

But despite all those reasons as to why Cespedes would find the Marlins ideal, Dan Knobler of CBS Sports tweets that Cespedes does not want to go to the Marlins. Knobler mentions that Cespedes is telling other Major League teams that he would prefer not to play in Miami. I am trying to think of how Cespedes may using these comments as a negotiating play with the Marlins but I do not think that is the case. Cespedes has yet to be determined as a free agent by Major League Baseball, meaning any contract discussion with a Major League team is prohibited. This appears to be a case of the common cliche, for the Marlins at least, that the truth hurts. With Cespedes reluctant to play in Miami, does that mean the Windy City is in his future?

All indications would point that way. Cespedes has already told reporters that the Cubs have been the team to register the most interest in him, and President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein, General Manager Jed Hoyer, and VP of Scouting and Player Development Jason McLeod all seem to be high on the Cuban prospect. The Cubs’ front office has yet to spend any significant amount of money this winter to make up for the departures of Aramis Ramirez and Carlos Pena and it is entirely possible to think that Epstein and company were saving that money to put in an offer for Cespedes.

The big splash that many Cubs’ fans have been salivating for may finally be coming in the form of Cespedes.

 

[James52411]

How good is this guy, really? I'm asking because I really don't know. Who do people in the know compare him to? What are his strengths and weaknesses? What would you spend on him? If he is a big-time talent then I think the Cubs will be very strong bidders because this is one of the few chances for them to purchase a big-time prospect since paying over slot in the draft is a thing of the past. I'd just like to know if he is likely to be a plus player for the Cubs or whoever gets him.

 

[hail2thevictors]

Indians as a dark horse? Seems like they could use an exciting young hitter.

If I was an Indians fan, and they go out and spend $50M plus on this guy-after letting Lee and Sabathia walk-I would be pretty ticked. Just sayin.

 

[Huffamaniac]

Marlins gets my vote, but i know Boston has expressed interest in him