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

[MiamiHomer]

Peter Gammons of MLB.com was told by scouts in the Dominican Republic that the parameters for Cuban defector Yoenis Cespedes' deal will be between $35-50 million.
That's quite a chunk of change. The feeling has been that Cespedes would seek a deal similar to the one that Aroldis Chapman signed in 2010 ($30.25 million), but evidently there are some that feel he could net much more. Cespedes has had a few private workouts for teams and has drawn interest from at least a half dozen clubs.

rotoworld

[Valid]

I feel like that's far too much.

[Jorge18]

The talent in Cuba, I assume, is no where near the talent in the Majors.

If it's really this high of a price, the Yankees can take him. They're great at over paying athletes.

[lou]

The talent in Cuba, I assume, is no where near the talent in the Majors.

If it's really this high of a price, the Yankees can take him. They're great at over paying athletes.

Yes. According to various international scouts, Cuba is considered around high A ball at best. For comparisons sake, Japan is a strong AAA league.

I also don't think the Yankees will be risking so much money on these types of signings with currently no rotation besides CC and the Igawa disaster.

[MiamiHomer]

Ken_Rosenthal Ken Rosenthal
Cespedes expected to establish temporary residency in DR between Nov. 25 and 30. Should be declared free agent shortly thereafter. #MLB

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The tools and the talent of Yoenis Cespedes are not in dispute.

Where there are reservations over the Cuban-born outfielder is his cost and readiness to play immediately in the big leagues.

According to a league source familiar with his status, the asking price for Cespedes could be double that of Aroldis Chapman, the Cuban pitcher with the Reds.

In January of 2010, Chapman signed a six-year deal worth $30.25 million. Cespedes, the source said, could be seeking more than double Chapman’s salary over eight years. Technically, no negotiations can take place until after he is declared a free agent.

The Marlins recently traveled to the Dominican Republic to attend a private workout for Cespedes, the 26-year-old who defected from Cuba in the summer. The Red Sox, Cubs and Yankees are among the teams with interest.

The Marlins see Cespedes as a center fielder, while Boston is looking at him in right field.

There also is uncertainty on when Cespedes will become a free agent. Insiders say it could be two more weeks or two more months.

Right now, he is in the process of gaining residency in the Dominican Republic. Once that happens, it shouldn’t take long for him to be declared an MLB free agent. It’s a matter of filing paper work.

The longer Cespedes waits to sign with a club, the more it hinders his ability to be game ready for the 2012 opener. He hasn’t played competitive baseball since he left Cuba.

If he can be signed before mid-December, he could play Winter League ball, which would help him be prepared to compete for an Opening Day roster spot in Spring Training.

What it will take to sign Cespedes

[Party]

I'll pass at 60 million.

[Big Z]

@pgammo: Cespedes people told club they already have an offer w/ $10M up front and eight years. "The $35-50M estimate may be light," says a GM.

Peter Gammons (twitter)

[Metes]

Que ridiculo

[MiamiHomer]

Has he even been posted as a free agent yet?

[Big Z]

Nope, I wasn't aware you could offer a contract to a player, although the player is not a FA.

[MiamiHomer]

Not sure if that is allowed.

[MiamiHomer]

DKnobler DKnobler
One scout with ties to international market suggested Cespedes will get $45 mill. I'm starting to believe he'll get quite a bit more.

twitter

[Fishfan79]

Anyone else think he is starting to get hyped out of our price range?

[Ramp]

Yes, everyone

[MiamiHomer]

Teams will be lining up to sign 26-year-old Cuban outfielder Yoenis Cespedes as soon as he is declared a free agent, though we still don't know exactly when that will happen. Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports spoke to a source (Twitter link) who indicated that the "time frame difficult to say," but it could happen during the "latter half (of the winter meetings) or after."

In yesterday's feature, ESPN's Jerry Crasnick says industry buzz is that it will take upwards of $50MM to sign Cespedes, if not more. Roughly two-thirds of the teams pursuing him believe he can remain in center field with the others expecting him to move to right. One executive compared Cespedes to Cameron Maybin, albeit with more power and less speed.

Cespedes Could Become A Free Agent Next Week