Yoenis Cespedes: Signs w/ A's for 4/36

[Ramp]

hard to believe we would use money on an unproven guy

hopefully it isn't massive amounts of money

[kylekash]

I think these are the kind of moves the team should go for. I hope they increase the international budget in the future as well. They have more money, but I don't know if it is enough to be big players in free agency every year. They will try it this year to make a big splash going into the new stadium, but down the road I think they would be better off trying to sign some of the top prospects out of Latin America and build it up that way.

[Swifty]

Granted, my understanding is the new CBA will make the draft more "slotted" than before, I hope this is more indicative of what we'll be doing with the amateurs rather than in the offseason.

Like Ramp said, it's surprising they'd spend this much on an unproven guy. I'd rather make the "splash" with the known quantities rather than the 26 year old who may very well be significantly older.

[Omar]

If signed, when would he be major league ready?

[Ramp]

Rumors going around something like 5yr $30mil

[Ralph]

If signed, when would he be major league ready?

I'd say from the get go.

[kylekash]

He's listed at 26, which means he could be a bit older. So you would have to think he would probably get a chance to compete for the job in ST considering the Marlins lack of a CFer. At worst, he would probably be on a Aroldis Chapman type path?

At 6 mil a year is this not similar Seizmore but with actually having the upside? Granted you comit to 5 years, but also a chance he outperforms those numbers if he truly is the real deal. It is tough to spend all your FA dollars on an unproven guy, but if they make this signing in addition to some other proven guys then I'm all for it.

[Beef]

Sizemore has no upside?

[Omar]

Why is 6 M all of our free agent dollars?

Based on varying reports, that could be anywhere from 7.5% down to 6% of next year's payroll. That percentage for someone who is starting in CF isn't bad at all.

[Mainge]

I'd say from the get go.

I agree.

[kylekash]

Sizemore has no upside?

Sorry, I meant more upside.

[Mainge]

I'm fascinated by his power potential. 33 homerun in 90 games is pretty impressive. 30+ HRs from CF would be nice.

[Miamarlin21]

I'm down. Go get him Jeffrey.

[Beef]

It would certainly be interesting to watch

[Omar]

I'm fascinated by his power potential. 33 homerun in 90 games is pretty impressive. 30+ HRs from CF would be nice.

True, though I'd be even more interested in a significant defensive potential in CF. Anything on overall CF ability or arm?