Posted November 7, 201113 yr By Tim Dierkes [November 7, 2011 at 8:30am CST] Cuban center fielder Yoenis Cespedes defected mid-summer and is expected to be cleared for free agency within a matter of weeks, reports Yahoo's Jeff Passan. The 26-year-old is "arguably the best all-around player to come out of Cuba in a generation," according to Kevin Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus, who describes Cespedes as "a legitimate centerfielder with plus power and speed." Both Passan and Goldstein expect the 26-year-old to receive a deal in the range of the $30.25MM Aroldis Chapman received in January of 2010. If you really want to get to know Cespedes, though, you need to watch the 20-minute YouTube video sent by his trainer to MLB teams. Goldstein's column provides a full breakdown of this bizarre production, but I'll just note that it includes Cespedes making a 45-inch vertical jump, leg-pressing 1,300 pounds (with two friends atop the weights), catching a flyball behind his back while facing the batter (twice), a thank you to Ahman Green, and the player roasting a pig. Some of the songs used may not be appropriate for your workplace, except for Christopher Cross' 1980 hit "Sailing," which was deemed too tame even for your office's elevator. Cespedes is represented by Adam Katz of Wasserman Media Group. Passan says the Yankees are "particularly hot" for the center fielder. Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post says the Nationals had multiple talent evaluators on hand at Cespedes' workout last week in the Dominican Republic, and a team official said they'd "love to have him." Ownership has been informed about Cespedes and what it would take to sign him. The Marlins and Phillies are also in the mix for Cespedes, writes Kilgore. As with Chapman, this type of player in his prime will draw the interest of almost every club. http://www.mlbtrader...ree-agency.html http-~~-//www.youtube.com/watch?v=mD_ZrcUZv94
November 7, 201113 yr Ehh, how much is really known about this guy to take that much of a risk? $30 million for a "26" year old who has never played in the big leagues doesn't sound that appealing.
November 7, 201113 yr Source: Miami Marlins considered favorites to land Cuban CF Yoenis Cespedes by: Juan C. Rodriguez November 7th, 2011 | 10:19 AM The Marlins have identified their center fielder of the future. Now all they have to do is sign him when he’s declared a free agent. Yoenis Cespedes, a 26-year-old Cuban who defected last summer, should get the go-ahead to begin negotiating with major league teams later this month. According to an American League source who attended his showcase Friday in the Dominican Republic, the buzz is the Marlins have the inside track. Yahoo’s Jeff Passan and Kevin Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus both profiled Cespedes, who could command a deal in excess of $30 million, along the lines of what Cuban fireballer Aroldis Chapman secured from the Reds. The Marlins made an unsuccessful run at Chapman when he was declared a free agent. Cespedes, the source said, may be the best player ever to come out of Cuba. Passan reported the Yankees are “particularly hot� for the right-handed hitting, five-tool talent. The 6-0, 215-pound Cespedes played for Cuba in the 2009 World Baseball Classic. Since then, major league teams have been salivating at the idea of signing him. Goldstein’s piece details a see-it-to-believe-it, 20-minute video Dominican-based advisor Edgar Mercedes put together. It shows him doing everything from blasting home runs to sprinting on a track to showing off a 45-inch vertical leap to leg pressing more than 1,300 pounds. Many a Cuban defector has been overhyped, but this guy looks like a monster. It doesn’t hurt the Marlins that Adam Katz of Wasserman Media Group, which also represents Hanley Ramirez, is Cespedes’ agent as well. “This may be the big one for the Miami Marlins,� the source said. “He fits all their needs [on and off the field].�
November 7, 201113 yr Author Ehh, how much is really known about this guy to take that much of a risk? $30 million for a "26" year old who has never played in the big leagues doesn't sound that appealing. It def is a risk (im usually one whos against big time signings of these type of players) but he did start for the Cuban team in the WBC. This club is going to have to take a risk at some point. Let's just hope when we do it'll work. Many say he will need little if any time at all in the minors, so seems to be MLB ready. We'll see what happens.
November 7, 201113 yr I don't know anything about him, but the write-ups seem positive, even if the video was apparently absurd.
November 7, 201113 yr Source: Miami Marlins considered favorites to land Cuban CF Yoenis Cespedes by: Juan C. Rodriguez November 7th, 2011 | 10:19 AM The Marlins have identified their center fielder of the future. Now all they have to do is sign him when he’s declared a free agent. Yoenis Cespedes, a 26-year-old Cuban who defected last summer, should get the go-ahead to begin negotiating with major league teams later this month. According to an American League source who attended his showcase Friday in the Dominican Republic, the buzz is the Marlins have the inside track. Yahoo’s Jeff Passan and Kevin Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus both profiled Cespedes, who could command a deal in excess of $30 million, along the lines of what Cuban fireballer Aroldis Chapman secured from the Reds. The Marlins made an unsuccessful run at Chapman when he was declared a free agent. Cespedes, the source said, may be the best player ever to come out of Cuba. Passan reported the Yankees are “particularly hot� for the right-handed hitting, five-tool talent. The 6-0, 215-pound Cespedes played for Cuba in the 2009 World Baseball Classic. Since then, major league teams have been salivating at the idea of signing him. Goldstein’s piece details a see-it-to-believe-it, 20-minute video Dominican-based advisor Edgar Mercedes put together. It shows him doing everything from blasting home runs to sprinting on a track to showing off a 45-inch vertical leap to leg pressing more than 1,300 pounds. Many a Cuban defector has been overhyped, but this guy looks like a monster. It doesn’t hurt the Marlins that Adam Katz of Wasserman Media Group, which also represents Hanley Ramirez, is Cespedes’ agent as well. “This may be the big one for the Miami Marlins,� the source said. “He fits all their needs [on and off the field].� WOW! $30 MM, but for how many years? Man, if we could fill CF for 4 years, $30 MM, then that would be fantastic. At that point, you could survive with Bonifacio at 3rd base, and you would only need to improve the rotation. Hmmm.
November 7, 201113 yr It looks like Kenny Powers made that video for him. I'm sold if La Flama Blanca is making videos for him.
November 7, 201113 yr Was just about to post about this guy to see what people thought. Interesting to see people saying we have the inside track to get him. I read he's comparable to Mike Trout in terms of his body and ability. Obviously a few years older. Dude has got some swagger. How long did he watch that homer at the 3:42 mark? Seemed like Manny hitting his 500th. He does have some bombs oppo too. Off topic but that is not a leg press or at least even close to a full one. Not that he isn't strong but come on.
November 7, 201113 yr The Marlins have the inside track, one American League source who attended the showcase told Juan C. Rodriguez of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. A Marlins contingent including owner Jeffrey Loria will visit Cespedes in the Dominican Republic later this week, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.
November 7, 201113 yr @JCRMarlinsbeat: Cuban CF prospect Yoenis Cespedes to have private workout for #Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria & Co Thurs in DR
November 7, 201113 yr I'd love to sign him. All the reports say that he is the best Cuban prospect in a generation. If we're willing to spend the money, the risk/reward here is huge.
November 8, 201113 yr According to Ben Badler of Baseball America, Cuban outfielder Yoennis Cespedes had a private workout with the Yankees on Monday . Cespedes, a Cuban defector, is expected to hit the free agent market later this month and is reportedly seeking a contract similar to the $30 million deal Aroldis Chapman signed with the Reds in January of 2010. The 26-year-old outfielder has already drawn interest from several clubs, including the Marlins, who are expected to send a contingent to the Dominican Republic later this week. Competition should be fierce.
November 8, 201113 yr God damn Yankees. Red Sox checking in also. By Tim Dierkes [November 7 at 7:15pm CST] 7:15pm: The Red Sox are "sending everyone" to the Dominican to evaluate Cespedes, according to MLB.com's Peter Gammons. The Rangers are also interested, along with the many teams named below, according to Gammons, who confirms that small-market teams like the A's, Pirates and Indians will be involved.
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