9:40pm:Â Both New York and Washington are “operating under [the] assumption that other teams also are pursuing Cespedes,” Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports adds (links to Twitter). He notes that the chatter surrounding the Mets’ three-year offer may be luring other organizations into the mix (if they weren’t already) to pitch their own ideas based on such a concept.
As Rosenthal notes, the White Sox are one club that has already been reported to have interest at that level of commitment. I’d add that the Orioles remain a plausible suitor at a more limited contract length, and certainly it isn’t hard to imagine other clubs that could be intrigued by that idea.
8:43pm: The Astros do not appear to be a late entrant, MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart tweets.
8:38pm: The Mets and Nationals are not the only two clubs pursuing top remaining free agent Yoenis Cespedes, Jon Heyman reports on Twitter.
Reports recently have suggested that a signing could come in very short order, with those two teams appearing to be the finalists. Washington is said to have dangled a five-year offer with a value approaching, if not exceeding, $100MM. New York, on the other hand, was set to meet with Cespedes’s reps today in hopes of selling him on three-year scenario of some kind.
But a mystery team (or teams) appear to be altering the equation as the star outfielder nears his decision. It’s not known which late entrants are shaking up the market for the veteran Cuban slugger, but neither is it difficult to guess at some of the possibilities. In fact, Steve Adams and I broke down no fewer than a dozen possibilities just yesterday in the latest episode of the MLBTR Podcast.
As I wrote back in early December, there was never a clear favorite for Cespedes, but it always seemed there’d be a wide array of interest. After all, he’s only thirty and is coming off of a monster 2015 campaign. While there are certainly some major question marks — in particular, the fact that his 2013-14 work fell far shy of his efforts in the seasons before and after — there’s no ignoring his ceiling.
Most of the clubs noted in that post are still plausible suitors. It’s probably safe to scratch off the Tigers, but clubs such as the Angels, Giants, Cardinals, Orioles, and White Sox all still seem plausible to varying degrees. The Padres have been said to be lurking, too, and so have the Braves — though Atlanta, at least, has always seemed to be on hand in case of a bargain.
And it would be foolish to rule out organizations like the Rangers — if not even the Red Sox or Yankees — when a premium talent is on the board. Really, only a handful of organizations appear to be wildly implausible pursuers. There are always ways to deal with perceived logjams, after all, and Cespedes represents the last open-market opportunity to add a potential superstar.
jabmets
Dammit come on mets give him 4 years with opt outs at years 2 and 3. 100 million dollars.
mlb_91
COMMON WHITE SOX SIGN HIM ALREADY !!!
Halo27
C’mon Halos!!!
Philliesfan4life
this is where the angels need to step in, Arte needs to open his wallet
McConaughey'sLincoln
Yep. I’m cautiously optimistic the Angels are in the mix
Philliesfan4life
Arte should read social media and listen to the fans
nymlagares
Or the fans need to realize he’s not going over the luxury tax limit. Honestly, I can’t blame him because it’s hard to reduce payroll and then your tax cost increases
Philliesfan4life
Arte messed up after he signed Hamilton
Diablo 2
And he will mess up again if he signs Cespy.
nymlagares
Depends how long though. I think the Nationals offer is too much at 5 years. I think the Mets and the WhiteSox seemingly sticking to 3 years is fair. But again, the Angels don’t look to be willing to go over the luxury tax limit
timyanks
messed up by signing that stank eye pujols, but that’s o.k. i’m glad he did.
kingfelix34
angels are too afraid to sign any one decent now, anyways he just signed with the mets
Diablo 2
Afraid? Angels are finally got smart to sign anyone to a big contract. Arte finally learned that old and big money is not a good result. Better to save this money for the free agent class of 2018.
Michael Macaulay-Birks
Yankees and angels
bobbleheadguru
Upton is better. According the the Tigers analytics staff. Otherwise Cespedes would have accepted Upton’s contract.
aidenr
Upton is younger, not better.
bruinsfan94 2
I’d rather have Upton. Younger and more upside. That contract was great for the Tigers. I’m not a Tigers fan but they got two steals this offseason. When you have one of the best hitters in baseball its hard not to take one more push.
bruinsfan94 2
Calling Red Sox. John Henry taking no chances.
User 4245925809
No, Gordon was the only OF other than the obvious Heyward in this years crop willing to give a contract to. Upton and Cespedes especially are too scary. Heyward it was obvious from the start would get over paid and Gordon they missed their chance on by letting KC swoop in with a team friendly deal early.. Shame, he would have been sweet in Fenway’s huge RF on a 5/100m deal.
foc44
After the Hanley signing and subsequent outfield experiment, I fail to see how adding Upton or Cespedes would seem scary.
nymlagares
with the way they handled Cespedes already, I highly doubt they even slightly considered Cespedes
Philliesfan4life
If the mets lose out on cespedes , should they just trade one of their aces to get the big bat they need?
Diablo 2
Mets dont even need to trade one of their aces to get the bat they need. They should trade Wheeler or Matz. both of thosr guys can get them some talented bats in return.
nymlagares
they’re not gonna break up what could be the best rotation in the history of the game.
Dave4585
Cespedes stats are on a different level than Upton. The only advantage Upton has is being younger.
.291 35 105 and able to play CF vs
.251 26 81
Blessyouboys
The Blue Jays need a bat to replace Joey Bats!
Philliesfan4life
I don’t think they let Bautista walk
Diablo 2
They should because Jose will be 36. Cespy would be a perfect replacement.
cards1
Really going out on a limb there Jon. Lol.
Philliesfan4life
He could be happy with the options he has who knows, I thought they would of made a run at Davis
cards1
Was referring to Heyman’s report. Mozeliak is fine to not go after the chainsmoker.
RedFeather
Im willing to bet there are three other teams kicking the tires. White Sox,, Red Sox, and Cardinals.. With the idea of the DH coming to the NL somewhat soon.
RedFeather
I’ll throw in the Marlins with a high annual average and an opt out every year for 6 six years.. Cuban player and it sounds like the Marlins MO
EndinStealth
Unfortunately I don’t think the Cardinals are in on this. He’d be a great fit but just don’t think they’ll pull the trigger.
RedFeather
Honestly if I we MO (and I know he is not a player in the Opt Out Clause).. I would offer him a 6 year deal at $130. $25 million per year for the first 3 years with an opt out on the 2nd to 3rd year. Then forth year at $21 million, Fifth year 20 million and the sixth year at 14 million with a 14 million option for a 7th year (deferred 2-3 million after the 5th year). This would allow they to get the prime years at 25 million and allow him to walk after 3 years if necessary. Essentially a 3 year 75 million contract.
RedFeather
And if the DH comes into play y then they could consider resign him. I.N.
Dave4585
Upton is not better…he’s younger and that’s about it. Cespedes is a better hitter,fielder,base runner
.291 35 105 or .251 26 81? Which one looks better?
Flipjunior89
Cubs done! Make it happen!
Heyward, solar and cespedes
Schwarber as catcher, trade montero
RedFeather
Andddd you’re dreaming….
Philliesfan4life
the only thing I see the cubs adding is pitching
ASapsFables
Stop it!
The Cubs don’t need Yoenis Cespedes, his salary, his cigarette breaks or most importantly…Kyle Schwarber as their starting catcher!
They already have a better all around outfielder in Jason Heyward, a better hitter in Kyle Schwarber manning LF and a Cuban OF with more upside who is 6-1/2 years younger and way cheaper in Jorge Soler,
BigB
Hopefully, white sox will finally step up and not act like a small market team.
Michael Macaulay-Birks
I’m betting Yankees, Detroit and Anaheim
Philliesfan4life
the yankees don’t have a chance, unless they trade gardner but I don’t see them getting cespedes, they are waiting till 2018 to get Harper imo.
ASapsFables
Bryce Harper will be going home to play with MLB’s newest expansion team in Las Vegas come 2018…you can bet on it! (lol)
Michael Macaulay-Birks
Yeah I agree with you and I wouldn’t trade Gardner maybe they can eat half of Elsberry salary
coachb123
Braves
dsierra1019
cmmon Loria, trade Ozuna and sign Cespedes….
jljr222
I won’t believe it’s the Yankees until they sign him basically. I just cannot see it, but if it happens I’m interested in the Twitter reactions.
edcarboy
As much as I think these teams are front runners, how about the Marlins? They’ve been looking for starting pitching, and if they sign Cespedes they can trade an outfielder (most likely Ozuna) for a pitcher. Although this will be a good scenario for the fish, I don’t see their budget going into a range Cespedes will like.
cardfan2011
If only St. Louis would make a decent offer lol.
RedFeather
They could very well offer a 6-7 year deal knowing that the DH will eventually be in the NL. 6 years 132 million with and opt out in 2018 & 2019 (back loaded contract) since he could techinally walk to any team in the majors once they all have DH by 2019.
Philliesfan4life
How about the Diamondbacks?
RedFeather
I think the D-Backs are happy with the upgrades and have prob spent more money then they should. But who knows no a days.
Philliesfan4life
they could use another bat in that line up
coachb123
Braves have been hiding in the shadows.
smelliott00
Jeff, any ideas on who this could be? I know we’ve got some spots based off of needs, but are you hearing anything?
Browntown
Great, so my Padres were monitoring the situation and now we are lurking. The joy of a small market team! Preller must have gotten spanked last year from ownership. There is nothing going on in friarville.
Jorge Soler Powered
Just about every move he made hurt them. Its besr he did nothing.
smelliott00
Jeff, any idea who this mystery team could be? I know we’ve got ideas based off of team needs, but are you hearing anything?
Philliesfan4life
The Diamondbacks could be a real dark horse
nymlagares
their outfield is already pretty good. Also, that’s a lot of many to dish out to FAs in one offseason with Greinke there too
smelliott00
Jeff, any idea who this “mystery team” could be? I know we’ve got some ideas based off of recent activity and needs, but are you hearing anything?
Philliesfan4life
If the mets don’t sign him, watch it be a team that nobody expects. like the white sox or maybe the diamondbacks
Cachhubguy
Why would the White Sox be unexpected? They have been interested since the start. I know they said they wouldn’t go more than 3 years but they wouldn’t be a mystery team.
Philliesfan4life
If Hahn goes over 3 years then i can see the white sox getting him.
RedFeather
Marlins..
Soxbeatcubs
He’s going to sign with the White Sox. They have Sale and Abreu in their prime, Quintana and Rodon are really good, and they’ve upgraded already with Frazier and Lawrie. An impact bat, plus those additions will only bolster last years worst offense in baseball. That Sale/Abreu/Quintana/Eaton window is wide open.
Soxbeatcubs
It’s going to be the White Sox. The Sale/Quintana/Abreu/Eaton window is wide open. The addition of Frazier and Lawrie show the Sox aren’t just adding to play out the schedule. Good bullpen. An impact bat now would be Monster
Fg-3
It’s the yanks!! It’s gonna be a great year!
Philliesfan4life
thats not gonna happen , they would have to trade gardner and they would want young pitching in return. I think they gear up and get harper in 2018
Diablo 2
Wouldn’t be hard to trade Brett for pitching. Rumor has it that theirs a trade involving Gardner and Andrew Heaney. Which I highly dislike but lets hope Billy Eppler isn’t stupid.
michaelw
No ones getting Harper. You guys are smoking crack. Harper will have such an extension on him, before the season even is close. ;Like 2017 lol Wash sell the White house before letting him go at any cost.
Diablo 2
What?
smelliott00
Jeff, any idea who this “mystery team” could be? I know we’ve got some ideas based off of recent activity and needs, but are you hearing anything? —
southsidesox15
I doubt it will happen but I’d love for Hahn to announce that he just signed Cespedes this weekend at Soxfest.
Cachhubguy
Soxfest is next weekend.
ASapsFables
Yes, The White Sox have annually held Soxfest during the off-weekend between the NFL conference championship games and the Super Bowl.
CFish96
I will be very disappointed if the White Sox don’t at least offer a decent offer worthy of consideration.
ASapsFables
I won’t be if they can actually trade for a better outfield and batting order fit, say left-handed hitting RF Carlos Gonzales, without sacrificing a significant 2016 roster piece or any of their top 3 prospects that include SS Tim Anderson and right-handed pitchers Carson Fulmer and Spencer Adams.
I would also be OK with the White Sox taking the Yoenis Cespedes dollars and allocating them for multiple 2016 needs, perhaps signing switch-hitting FA outfielder Dexter Fowler AND shortstop Ian Desmond for comparable dollars OR maybe even one of those two paired with right-handed starting pitcher Yovanni Gallardo to help balance out a left-handed heavy starting rotation.
Many other trade opportunities may exist that could be more beneficial than simply landing Cespedes with a huge contract. The only thing I do not want to see happen is for the White Sox to stand pat between now and opening day without making at least one more significant upgrade that would allow them to be more competitive with their rivals in a very competitive A.L. Central division.
captainballz
White Sox really missed the boat on this one…. One player that could’ve filled so many needs in the OF and lineup…
ASapsFables
Yoenis Cespedes is only one player, so he could only fill one need in the OF and one in the batting order. (lol)
captainballz
I said “needs”…not positions, dipsh*t.
We had a COLLECTIVE OF war last year of 3.2 last year out of 7 guys.
And Trayce Thompson was the 2nd best. (lol)
captainballz
Or put another way – Sox were pretty much dead last as a group in just about every metric available in offensive and defensive OF metrics. Cespedes, in your lineup, changes alot of those MANY things. Defensive runs, protecting hitters, his career RISP #s are fantastic, etc. Get it now (lol)?
ryan211
So is this where the Yankees’ payroll discipline finally breaks down? I know they have 4 OFers already, but they’ve reportedly been trying to trade one (Gardner) and the other two (Ellsbury and Beltran) are hardly locks to play 162 games.
bleumagicc
Any team but the Angels or White sox plz…
captainballz
I still think the Angels are in this.
michaelw
How about – I LUV NY every F%$# OFF I LOVE NY! F*&^ YOU! F&^% YOU TOO LOL
Its the Mets boys where really he belonged!
michaelw
The Sox should trade Frasier and Sales to the Cubs so we can at least secure a WS in the Chicago. Come on Sox your not going no where take one for the city and make the trade lmao. =) lol JK
michaelw
I was on that pipe dram to. Ces/Heyard/Soler but I went one more and got greedy with a trade with the Rox for Cargo or Blackmon lol. We still keep Swarb to DH and PH and Soler they don’t outfielder just pitching and 2nd baseman and we have plenty of them to offer.
LOL
Really the SOX need to take one for the city of Chicago. There suck and arent going no where with KC n Det so why not take one for the City and trade Sales and Frasier to us. That way KB can DH LMAO Now that being GREDDY BOYS LMAO I’m JK before someone calls me an idiot lol. Never happen anyway lol but be cool. Maybe if the Sox like are 20 and 62 by all star break lmao