For the past few months, those following MLB have heard all about Yu Darvish from Japan and his abilities. Next up from the international game that you're going to be hearing about is Yoenis Cespedes, who hails from Cuba.
Cespedes defected from Cuba last summer and has set up residence in the Dominican Republic, making him eligible for major league baseball.
He's a 26 year old 6 foot, 215lb center fielder who's considered a 5 tool player (power, average, speed, fielding and throwing). Last year in the Cuban League he batted .333, with 33 hr's and 99 rbi's in 90 games. He was Cuba's center fielder on the 09 World Baseball team, leading the team in slugging and runs and was second in average, hr's and OBP.
He's expected to be asking for a contract somewhere north of what Aroldis Chapman got a few years ago (6 years, 30.25 million). Some reports saying it could take as much as $50 million to sign him. At that price, we can "round up the usual suspects" of teams interested and say Yankee's, Red Sox, Cubs, Phillies, Nationals. Pirates have gone to the Dominican and met with him, but at that price, Pirates won't be an option.
One interesting team that keeps getting mentioned are the Miami Marlins. Flush with cash and having missed out on Pujols and Wilson this winter, they could afford Cespedes and his $50 million price tag. He'd be a great draw in South Florida helping to bring more people to their new ballpark, so don't count the Marlins out. Bat him second behind Reyes and in front of Ramirez and Stanton and thats a formidable 1-4 batting order. Don't count the Marlins out.
Bill
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