Yooooooooooooennis Cespedes: To Oakland pg 44

[Rob]

Holy crap, his showcase video is the one of the strangest things I've ever seen. Kevin Goldstein walks you through it (Video at the bottom of the link).

 

It occurs to me that the Cubs may have some interest here. He's not going to come cheaply, but he's got good power and is a good enough athlete you'd think he'd be at least a plus defender in an OF corner (if not CF). And based off his stats in Cuba, he looks to be at least somewhat patient.

[NonProfitCow]

Just came here to post that. I swear Jean-Ralphio made the video.

[BCVM22]

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=jp-passan_yoenis_cespedes_cuban_defected_110611

[mookie]

I am amazed I just watched that whole thing. The dude has some skills, I am definitely interested.

[CUBZ99]

Great video. I'm sure that he has already been on Theo's radar, but it will be interesting to see how involved the Cubs are with players like Darvish and Cespedes.

[Little Slide Rooter]

He's probably lazy and too busy with roosters.

[davell]

Get him, Theo. Trade Byrd, if need be.

[Guest]

Holy crap do I want this guy on the team for the entertainment value alone.

[questionmarkgrace]

The Marlins are going to be hot and heavy for this guy because of their desire to draw a large cuban population to the new stadium. He would be an instant fan favorite down there. But we should most certainly be involved. Beyond being an athletic specimen, (did you see that broad jump!) cespedes is a potential major league all star. His cuban numbers say that he is a 5 tool talent.

[Clem Fandango]

A source told Juan C. Rodriguez of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel that the Marlins are currently considered the "favorite" to land outfielder Yoennis Cespedes.

Cespedes, a 26-year-old Cuban defector, will hit the free agent market later this month. He's already drawn interest from the Yankees, Nationals and Phillies, among others, but the Marlins are expected to raise payroll as they transfer into their new ballpark and could be ready to spend big on the sudden YouTube sensation. Cespedes has an impressive combination of power and speed potential, and could represent a long-term answer for the Marlins in center field. He's thought to be seeking a $30 million major league contract.

[Guest]

No video?

[A New Era]

Just $30 million? Spread over how many years I wonder? He's deffinately worth taking a $30 mil gamble on I'd say.

[BeerHere]

A source told Juan C. Rodriguez of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel that the Marlins are currently considered the "favorite" to land outfielder Yoennis Cespedes.

Cespedes, a 26-year-old Cuban defector, will hit the free agent market later this month. He's already drawn interest from the Yankees, Nationals and Phillies, among others, but the Marlins are expected to raise payroll as they transfer into their new ballpark and could be ready to spend big on the sudden YouTube sensation. Cespedes has an impressive combination of power and speed potential, and could represent a long-term answer for the Marlins in center field. He's thought to be seeking a $30 million major league contract.

Ozzie Guillen doesn't like Cuban players.

[davearm2]

Just $30 million? Spread over how many years I wonder? He's deffinately worth taking a $30 mil gamble on I'd say.

They mentioned the Aroldis Chapman contract as a benchmark

 

Aroldis Chapman lhp

6 years/$30.25M (2010-15)

 

6 years/$30.25M (2010-15)

signed by Cincinnati as an amateur free agent 1/11/10

$16.25M signing bonus ($1.5M at signing; $1.5M each Nov. 1, 2010-13; $1.25M each Nov. 1, 2014-20)

10:$1M, 11:$1M, 12:$2M, 13:$2M, 14:$3M, 15:$5M player option

Chapman must decide whether to accept or decline 2015 player option within 5 days after end of 2014 World Series

if Chapman qualifies for arbitration after 2012, $5M is converted to a bonus and he becomes arbitration-eligible

if Chapman qualifies for arbitration after 2013, $3M is converted to a bonus and he becomes arbitration-eligible

defected from Cuba to Netherlands 7/1/09

agent: Rodney Fernandez, Hendricks Sports

ML service: 0.034

[Conky]

Can he play 1st base?

 

:-"

 

Get it done, Theo.

[Guest]

Let him go to Florida, then be there when they want to ride Morrison out of town.

[brinoch]

Let him go to Florida, then be there when they want to ride Morrison out of town.

 

I was thinking the exact same thing.

[UMFan83]

The Cubs should not get him. David Kaplan takes 1 look at this video and he has his next Latin scapegoat for the next 8 years.

[questionmarkgrace]

Let him go to Florida, then be there when they want to ride Morrison out of town.

 

this is probably a good strategy. The Marlins pretty much need to have this guy and will probably pay much more than 30 mil to get him. It just makes sense for establishing their fan base in the new stadium. Morrison is valuable player and the marlins front office is full of ego maniacs so he will most likely be available.

 

But then again I really think Cespedes will come to the mlb and continue to mash. 35 homeruns in 70 games is crazy. obviously the cuban leagues arent the mlb but I dont think it would be a stretch to say that he could be a 35 homer guy here as well. And he plays plus plus defense in centerfield? 30 million would be a steal. I cant remember any cuban hitter in the last 30 years that has been as accomplished as Cespedes and left the island in their prime. Obviously Contreras comes to mind when thinking of high profile guys but he was like 35 when he jumped ship.

[rocket]

it's nice that this guy's a good athlete and all, but i bet players like lastings milledge, corey patterson, austin kearns, wily mo pena, etc. would look good doings those drills too.

[bukie]

it's nice that this guy's a good athlete and all, but i bet players like lastings milledge, corey patterson, austin kearns, wily mo pena, etc. would look good doings those drills too.

Maybe so, but they'd be hard pressed to get that kind of production value.

[Bull]

video removed. sad. I missed it.

[Clem Fandango]

video removed. sad. I missed it.

 

Just watch this and you'll get the general idea...

 

 

Except the things that Cespedes did were legitimate things and stuff

[A New Era]

video removed. sad. I missed it.

 

You didn't miss much. It was incredibly lame. 20 some odd minutes of boring fluff. It would have been more entertaining if they just put his top most impressive highlights into about a 2-3 minute film.

[Guest]

@BenBadler: Cuban OF Yoenis Cespedes had a private workout with the Yankees today.