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

[MiamiHomer]

At that price it's a blessing that he signed elsewhere. Hopefully they repackage the funds into Soler.

Does anyone get the sneaking suspicion that the offseason (to the bandwagoners) peaked a little early? Great PR for the beginning of the meetings and then losing out on four big signings by various reasons, including a Cuban defector.

I think it'll all wash over if that's the case by April 4th, but I wouldn't be shocked if that's the story for a couple weeks.

I don't think it will matter.

[Miamarlin21]

I don't see Oakland taking him out to lunch.
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DKnobler @DKnobler
A's were indeed a late entrant on Cespedes. Agent approached them after finding soft market.

Uhhh

[TheMendozaLine]

Soft market? The Fish gave him a custom-made reflective SWAGG vest for Christ's sake!

[HUGG]

Didn't get the money he wanted here. Plus A's offered him a shorter contract and free agency after 4 years in the contract.

[Jorge18]

Didn't get the money he wanted here. Plus A's offered him a shorter contract and free agency after 4 years in the contract.

Makes pefect sense to me, I don't blame him for chasing the money.

[TheMendozaLine]

This place just hit the jackpot.

[Swifty]

$9 million a year for only 4 years (his arbitration will be huge based on starting so high). No fucking thanks. This is a blessing. Thank god this didn't happen.

His contract guarantees free agency after year four. No arbitration for him.

[MiamiHomer]

Contract is structured:
1:6.5 mil
2:8.5 mil
3 and 4: 10.5 mil

[TheMendozaLine]

@Brendan_Tobin

Cespedes' agent, Adam Katz tells MLB Network Radio #Marlins were the only team he visited because it was such a unique situation

[Miamarlin21]

Apparently not unique enough.

[Mainge]

So what do we know about Soler other than him claiming he's 19?

A couple of people are ready to move on to him but I'm curious as to why he's seen as a more acceptable prospect rather than Cespedas.

[TheMendozaLine]

Juan C. Rodriguez

#Marlins offered Cespedes 6 for $36M. Weren't going to go over $6M AAV.

[MiamiHomer]

So what do we know about Soler other than him claiming he's 19?

A couple of people are ready to move on to him but I'm curious as to why he's seen as a more acceptable prospect rather than Cespedas.

A few days ago, the Orioles ventured down to the Dominican Republic. Their eyes were on a batch of international talent that could inject some much needed youth into the system and improve the public perception that Dan Duquette is reaching beyond the US border to strengthen the ball club. Here’s a look at Jorge Soler.

Looking at Jorge Solver’s age and physical frame makes you think you just caught lighting in a bottle. His frame and projection is still massively untapped and he could be a 230 pound masher in his prime; it is that type of lower foundation and torque that makes every scout think he will be better than Leonys Martin, who was signed by the Rangers last year. He shows every tool that you covet and then some for an up the middle prospect.

While he has a bag of tools at his disposal, he will need a good deal of refinement. His ceiling is not going to be as high as Cespedes because he will outgrow the center field label much earlier in his career and the same fear of contact at the highest level would not play as well in the corner for an entire career.

The other shoe to drop is the amount of risk a team will make in his investment. Sorer’s price tag will likely be above $20 million dollars and that is a large bit to swallow considering how much boom or bust is left in this young man’s game. He would likely start out in high A ball and there is a long road to show that he could be an effective MLB outfielder.

From a skills standpoint, Sorer can swing for the fences and shows more pull power, but it is safe to suggest pole to pole once he irons out his game and matures a bit more. It is a longer swing, with impressive bat speed making up for any minor flaw, that will need to be compacted down the line, but again you cannot teach raw athleticism and fast twitch production.

Sorer has the overall skill set to play center field right now, but will move to the corner on any parent club. His arm strength is up to plus. Standard speed with growth and maturation should make him a quality right fielder down the line. Overall, he is the same power/speed combo as Cespedes but many years younger.

He will not come anywhere close to the dollar amount required for Cespedes, but if everything falls in line Solder can be a quality everyday type player with power production. These are hard to find at any stage, or location and the reason why he will be sought after by many teams.

Talent From Cuba: Jorge Soler

[Beef]

I like the different ways in which his name is misspelled.

[Mainge]

That doesn't sound like a good investment at all. $25m+ to stick him in A-ball and see if he pans out?

Just use that on Stanton if you want to spend it.