Free-agent outfielder Yoenis Cespedes held a showcase in Florida that 11 teams attended on Tuesday, according to Ken Davidoff of the New York Post. The Yankees, White Sox, Brewers, Blue Jays, Tigers (one of Cespedes’ ex-teams), Padres, Rays, Reds, Marlins, Cubs and Braves were all on hand to watch Cespedes, per Davidoff.
As Davidoff notes, it’s interesting that the majority of clubs that scouted Cespedes are in the National League, which doesn’t appear likely to feature the designated hitter position in 2021. DH seems like the logical spot for Cespedes if he’s going to continue his career, as he hasn’t played the field since 2018, he’s aging (35), and he’s coming off four straight abbreviated seasons because of health issues. The two-time All-Star, most recently with the Mets, played in just 127 of a possible 546 regular-season contests from 2017-20.
Cespedes opted out of last season in August over COVID-19 concerns, but heel and ankle problems dogged him before then and helped make the four-year, $110MM guarantee he received from the Mets in November 2016 a disaster for the club. The two sides agreed to an amended contract in December 2019 that reduced Cespedes’ base salary from $29.5MM to $6MM, but New York didn’t get any bang for its buck out of that.
While Cespedes comes with question marks, he won’t land an expensive deal, which is one of the reasons so many clubs are considering him. When healthy, Cespedes has been a force at the plate, where he has batted .273/.327/.497 (124 wRC+) with 165 home runs in 3,490 trips. That track record could make him a worthwhile buy-low pickup for someone.
mikecws91
White Sox just signed his brother, although he’d be an odd fit for their roster.
chitown311
I think he’d be a perfect fit. An incentive-laden 1-year deal, keeping the DH spot warm while Andrew Vaughn gets his feet wet in the bigs this year.
ChiSox_Fan
Vaughn is ready now.
Blasted 3-run HR today. 3 BB’s in the two short games I watched.
Sorry, no need for an aging player well past his prime.
Orel Saxhiser
Agreed. Even on a Minor League deal, the potential rewards that come with signing Cespedes are quite low. It’s hard to imagine him being useful to any MLB team, contender or not. Low-risk/low-reward should mean zero interest.
Deadguy
Cespedes did garnish MVP votes in 2016. Long time ago now, but I can see why teams would take a look
joeyrocafella
Well that 2-game Spring Training sample size is good enough for me. Very convincing argument
ChiSox_Fan
Thanks!
jhomeslice
@chisoxfan Amen. We saw enough with EE last year. Very unlikely that an aging player who has barely played in 2 years is going to produce better than Vaughn or Mercedes would. A guy like this is the last thing they need. If they want to look at adding anybody, get a veteran starting pitcher. On Yoenis, huge pass. Please.
elscorchot
Lol
John Kappel
2 games, from a guy who has never played above High A and he’s thought of as ready? Even Mike Trout struggled his first time up and he had played through all the levels of the minors.
Priggs89
For the love of god, LET YERMIN HIT
rjh
you’re absolutely right. let the yerminator hit!!!
do you know that across more than 1000 minor league at-bats, mercedes has struck out just 17% of the time!!!! and his slash line at AAA charlotte is
.310/.386/.647!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! in 187 at-bats…YIKES!! and with an incredible slugging percentage of .647 (thanks to 17 home runs in only 187 at-bats) what do you think was his strikeout rate?? it was just 22%!!!!!!!!!!!!!! how often do you see that kind of slugging with so little whiffing????!!!!!!!!
if collins gets any more major league at-bats in preference to mercedes, i think the fans should start a class action lawsuit to replace collins with mercedes. what were the sox thinking to give collins 102 at-bats and mercedes just one???!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! it’s like comparing the best to the worst and selecting the worst!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! add to that something that was posted today (i think by vincent parise)…that collins is behind mercedes in being able to field the catching position!!!!!!!!!!! so…what the hell is going on? well…maybe the sox don’t want to admit that another first round draft choice is a total zero (as were the similarly K prone choices of borchard, mitchell and hawkins). at least mitchell and hawkins never saw the light of even one mlb game.
tesseract
Yermin is 28 years old 5’11 and 245 lbs. while he can hit a bit he lacks DH type power, has no position, he is not liked in the clubhouse. Don’t let minor league numbers fool you. He simply is not a ML player now nor in the future
ASapsFables
Yermin Mercedes has done nothing but rake and with power since the White Sox claimed him in the minor league phase of the 2017 December Rule 5 Draft from the Orioles. He has potential MLB DH written all over him.
As for Mercedes being a problem in the clubhouse, at least with the White Sox, prove it! It seems to me a player in his position and with that attitude would have been released by the organization at some point since he was claimed.
Whifff
White Sox and aging sluggers at DH…..no bueno. See what Vaughn and maybe Collins can do but Vaughn seems ready for a look.
rjh
collins? you must mean mercedes. collins has no hope of hitting avove .200, as projected by pecota. he has a 42% strikeout rate in 102 MLB at-bats..(a rate that would break the major league record for strikeouts in one season). .and more than a 33% strikeout rate across all of his minor league at-bats. the handwriting was sadly on the wall when collins struck out in seven of his first eleven at-bats in ROOKIE BALL! those who say he can get on base are sadly mistaken! his mlb on-base-percentage of .286 projected across a career of at least 6000 at-bats would BREAK OZZIE GUILLEN’S MAJOR LEAGUE RECORD FOR THE LOWEST OBP IN THE HISTORY OF BASEBALL FOR ANY PLAYER BATTING AS MANY TIMES!!!. the sad reality is that collins stinks. most peoples’ sisters would hit better than he can!
maximumvelocity
Good lord no.
The last thing the team needs is another washed up slugger who offers nothing in the field. They made this mistake with Dunn, and the signings have grown progressively worse since then.
I honestly think they are rushing Vaughn, but at this point, I’d rather let him struggle with the aggressive promotion, and learn, then bringing in someone who will just take at bats away from a younger option, and fail to produce.
Yasiel Puig is also still out there, and they could rotate DH among everyone until Baughn is ready. But not Cespedes.
mlbnyyfan
Why would the Yankees want him. They have too many injury prone players already.
looiebelongsinthehall
Why would any contending team want him as he’s the ultimate gamble? He’s been a one-man wrecking crew. When he wants to play, he’ll lead you to title contention but when he’s not motivated, he’ll wreck your clubhouse. Only deal is to pay him minimum guaranteed and then entice him with cars and money to get more cars if he produces. Very risky for an established clubhouse. Maybe a DH fit for some team under those terms where one issue and he gets cut with minimal cost.
Deadguy
Part of why he opted out in 2020 was because he didn’t want to DH. think the only deal he will get will be incentive based for sure. Yankees definitely don’t have the room to sign him unless they trade or DFA someone.
looiebelongsinthehall
If he stays ready, an injury could open a spot but again, he has to be on a short leash. I just remember his short time in Boston when he refused to play RF.
Cosmo2
Cespedes never wrecked any clubhouse. He didn’t handle his injury well but his teammates all loved him.
looiebelongsinthehall
Cosmo, Oakland was done with him so they traded him to Boston. He acted like a spoiled kid and wore out his welcome after just two months. Next he was dealt to Detroit who decided not to try to resign him and he went to the Mets. Yes, he had an amazing 2015 after going to NY. So what happens, he inks that major deal and was a headache for one reason or another ever since.
skip 2
Done with him?? How? They traded him for Lester.
top jimmy
Cashman loves him some DHs. He’d sign them all if he could. He loves feast or famine hitters that either can’t play defense or can’t stay healthy playing in the field regularly.
ctyank7
And he would make a foolishly imbalanced Yankee team even more righthanded.
LordD99
Ask yourself a question. When do the Yankees not send someone to these showcases? They’re simply scouting to update their database notes.
jawinks
This guy or a wild boar ROS?
bigguccisosa300
They’re both cooked lol. Shoutout CFB
Ducky Buckin Fent
Wild boar hunting is a trip.
Really kind of a southern thing. But I thoroughly recommend the experience to everybody.
&…ham & bacon. Ya know?
bravesfan
Why the Braves? Why would we want or need him? If the DH were here, I’d understand a bit but even then idk…
SoCalBrave
They were just looking. No harm there. Also sometimes teams send scouts as a favor to the player’s agency.
Braves Butt-Head
Bench bat could be huge late in games
Dennis Boyd
Braves could use him in LF every so often so they can pretend Ozuna isn’t so bad out there the rest of the time
Appalachian_Outlaw
The Ozuna is a horrible OF defender is so overblown. Is he going to win a Gold Glove? No, but it’s LF, and the Braves needed the bat more than the defense.
Dennis Boyd
Looking forward to more of this:
m.youtube.com/watch?v=T33149uc7ZY
Canseco wasn’t available to play LF for braves?
Appalachian_Outlaw
It’s a bad play, but did anyone score off it? If not, it doesn’t matter. If they did, you go get your pitcher a run back at the plate. Plenty of guys have made bad plays. It happens. Once again, it’s LF. It’s not shortstop. ::shrug::
Dennis Boyd
@outlaw, true enough, but it is still so funny every time I watch it and I expect there will be more fun highlights again this year. He does have great CF options next to him, so he will have some help.
JoshHolt32
That’s funny Cespedes is 35….try 38+
DarkSide830
yeah just like how Soto is older then he says he is. get out of here man.
Deadguy
Pujols and Dotel, 2011 World Series Champions are both definitely older than they said they were
DarkSide830
based on?
elscorchot
Bs social media news, most likely.
johns-11
Jay’s are interested in anyone that walks. I highly doubt the jays are interested another DH. We have 3/4 now.
Freddie Morales
Surprised the A’s weren’t there. think the Rays would sign him
phenomenalajs
I thought so too about the A’s. Even as a Met, he waxed poetic about his time in Oakland.
tjmacari
I was about to say it would be great if Yo would platoon at DH for the A’s, but then again what’s the point of wasting a roster spot on a part-time DH? I’m thinking Moreland can hold his own vs LHP or maybe Lowrie can get a half day-off at DH vs LHP if he’s able to play 2B vs RHP
oldleftylong
Done, … as in retire now. No MLB team will benefit. Go home, Yoenis.
johnsilver
I don’t think he really wants to do that after living the good life in the Good old USA for these 10 years…
Deadguy
Anyone who’s seen Zeitgeist Addendum understands why he wants to be in the ‘good ol USA’ the military controls these other countries, they are the ones who receive the billions of dollars in aid everyone complains that the US sends out. Its a pay off, United States pays the military to keep the people of those countries in control so that the United States corporations of wall street can makes percentage points off privatizing the water and electricity there and charge the natives 500% more making them a luxury only the rich can afford. And if the government doesn’t accept the united states bribe then they end up like Kobe Bryant dying in a helicopter crash. Neat little documentary about the truth if your interested in the truth. Most are just fine with keeping their head buried under the rocks cause they can’t handle the truth, the truth leads to depression, anxiety, and antisocial tendencies that nobody really understands so they say things like pizza gate have to be conspiracy theories so they can live contently in their own little bubble with there head so far up their butt they say stupid stuff like he’s enjoyed the good ol USA for the past ten years.
Sturgis_SD
Hippyripper, you definitely need some therapy. Now, back to baseball talk . . .
Daw(e)some
Therapy? Or just grounded education and knowledge?
manos
Of all those teams I think only Detroit makes sense, on a minor league deal. He could mentor some of the younger OFs and alternate at DH with Miggy.
mookiesboy
Mentor??????
Hibbie
Lol
Cubs Dynasty
Almora homered today. You Mets fans are going to like this kid…
Ry.the.Stunner
No they’re not.
Get Off My Mound
I will be shocked if he doesn’t end up in Oakland. Surprised I haven’t heard about the A’s being interested in him already. Low-risk, high upside offense.
angt222
I initially thought Oakland would scoop him up. Ces has expressed wanting to retire in OAK in the past.
Cosmo2
He’s likely done. The upside is basically gone. Has some use for a team desperate for a right handed bat on a minor league deal.
BE631
LMAO. He definitely didn’t opt out because of COVID concerns.
RyanB92
Does anybody care to see this guy play again? Couldn’t imagine a team being serious about signing this clown
bigguccisosa300
I know a kid named Jordan and a kid named Jake that would
dilligaf0
Negative Clubhouse influence would have to be considered – I don’t think anyone that has good young squad can take a chance on negative attitude
IloveMACfootball
Stereotypical comments about latin players alert!!!! Clubhouse influence! Negative attitude! Clown! Go home! He’s really 38+!
Forget about the fact he risked his life to escape his own home and then dominated the league for 5+ years.
prov356
Rusty – You’re choosing to create a reason to be offended for someone else. The dude has been a negative force in the clubhouse. It has nothing to do with ethnicity. It only has to do with the person. Stop your hyper-sensitive nonsense. Your comment is what is stereotypical.
Cosmo2
The whole negative force in the clubhouse thing is a made up narrative. His teammates in NY absolutely loved him. He didn’t get along with one coach in Boston. Maybe the coach was a jerk. Who knows? But this reputation he seems to have as a bad clubhouse guy is unfounded.
CalcetinesBlancos
Apparently you’re way more familiar with these various stereotypes than we are.
Pretty telling IMO.
DarkSide830
creative was to redirect blame dude.
1984wasntamanual
“dominated the league for 5+ years” …This take is worse than the other garbage you posted.
Ry.the.Stunner
When did Cespedes dominate the league for 5+ years? I must’ve missed that.
prov356
Since Kole Calhoun tore his meniscus, perhaps the D-Backs should look at him for OF help, or at least depth. He should be very cheap.
soxshortstop
This guy has made $143M….$143M and how long has he been out? a year +?. I think he played a little last year, stunk it up and opted out. 8 years service 165 homers and 270 batting average. and I know he has a rocket of an arm. I don’t mind the fellas getting paid but $143M – wow shaking my head. At 35, injuries, not a good clubhouse presence if my memory serves me correct – wondering why these guys come back on $1-$2M contracts after making all that dough – is it for the love of the game, nothing else to do, WS chance? I understand why teams would scout to possibly get them on low risk/cheap contracts.. going to store now to go get a lottery ticket…my only chance
stymeedone
When in Detroit, there was never any problems with his character, or club house presence. He was good defensively, and no one ran on his arm. I’d rather they signed him than Grossman, if he’s healthy.
Far Beyond Driven
I can see the Yankees signing him.
Redsoxx_62
Idk if the yanks realize but you really shouldn’t have DHs 1-9
detroitfan69
Detroit to announce signing in morning.
mets1536
GOOD LUCK LOL
HE ONLY PLAYS WHEN HE WANTS TOO
Bill M
He also doesn’t play when he wants to
Cosmo2
Such a dumb take. He doesn’t play when he’s injured. Wasn’t the only player to opt out of last season.
xSpecBx
For people saying “why would any of these teams want him?”. It’s pretty simple. If they can sign him on a minor league deal for the minimum, why not? As others have said, when he’s motivated, he can be a good hitter, injuries happen and he can DH or play the field in a reduced role if needed. Seems pretty low risk.
MikeD26
1 year deal for a team like tampa or Oakland makes sense, no more than 3 millions.
jimmertee
Why would the Jays be there in attendance? They should have scouts out there scouring for starting pitchers. The last thing the Toronto Blue Jays need is another DH 5th outfielder. #stupidity
Ducey
Ah, jimmer. Critical of the jays in every thread.
If only you were GM, eh, buddy?
To answer your question, they likely have many scouts. Remarkably, they can watch the showcase AND scout other players.
And who knows, maybe LC is healthy and would sign a minor league deal. Depth is good, especially when half your team can be knocked out by covid
its_happening
Depth. Ok, here’s the real-life scenario…
If a 35-year old with chronic foot issues who hasn’t played more than 132 games since 2015 is your answer for depth then there is a problem with management’s thought process. This is not a depth idea, this is a courtesy and a look at a player that another team might pick up as a DH. Jays are already doing their homework to see if he has anything left in the tank.
Puig is a depth pickup. JBJ is a depth pickup. Cespedes is just a guy who’s best days are behind him. Way behind him.
Ducey
And the other wannabe GM.
Pretty sure you and jimmer are the same guy.
jimmertee
Ducey , no not the same guy ; more like two very intelligently guys that know baseball more than the stats.
jimmertee
Ducey, no I am not critical of the Jays in every thread. When they do something excellently like the Dunedin stadium remodel or sign Ryu or Springer I call it out loudly in a positive comment.
impapad57
I think it would be awesome if someone signed Cespedes, Puig, and see if Manny Ramirez has anything left in the tank. Come see “The Toxic Trio”!
mumsy01
Hilarious. Toxic trio!
joseluish22160
many people talking about “bad influence in the club house”. but when Cespedes was moved to Boston. Oakland was 11 games ahead of first place in the American League West, this guy was Oakland’s best player while he had played there. He was then traded from Ditroit to the Mets 2 years later, 7 games down in the standings and led the Mets to their first world series in 2 decades. Is Cespedes really a bad influence in the clubhouse?
mumsy01
He is a bad influence when he is not getting paid what he foolishly thinks he is worth. He is not committed to playing baseball. He is fat, he is lazy, he is self-entitled. Buyer beware. He can only hit crap pitching and that was in his prime.
He didn’t quit because of COVID. He quit last year because Mets cut his pay after he fleeced them out of $29.5 Million in 2018 & 2019 by not re-jabbing and then getting hurt on his ranch. He was so fat last year it was silly.
All he wants is coin.
rocky7
Man, you’re talking ancient history here….all of his ‘best” work you site was pre-2015….a lifetime ago in baseball time.
ASapsFables
Not much surprise regarding the presence of the White Sox at this showcase with their affinity towards Cuban players and the fact they just signed Yoenis Cespedes half-brother and workout partner Yoelkis to a $2.05M signing bonus on January 15th.
Yasiel Puig is also an available free agent likely looking at a short term, make good contract loaded with incentives so it wouldn’t be out of line to think that one of those two Cuban veterans might wind up on the southside of Chicago this season.
Mjshof
Really depends on where his head is at. Can he stay engaged long enough to round into playing shape and then keep the focus if he’s a bench player? I say no way in hell and yet the upside still might tempt me
Mjshof
Really depends on where his head is at. Can he stay engaged long enough to round into playing shape and then keep the focus if he’s a bench player? I say no way in hell and yet the upside still might tempt me
The Saber-toothed Superfife
They all lost money, supposedly, and for some reason a hotdog and a coke costs $10.
All I see here, folks, is expense accounts on parade……
Salty_rox_fan
Aging player well past him prime? Sounds like someone the Rockies might look into.
Mjshof
Really interesting that half the teams at the showcase are the most competitive teams in MLB – Padres, NYY, Atlanta, Jays, WSox
I think he’ll get offers, but won’t stick around to earn a roster spot if it’s too hard and involves a minor league assignment.
solaris602
Padres seem to have an unlimited number of roster spots, so why not?
bravesfan88
I honestly wouldn’t mind the Braves taking a ST gamble on him. If he could come back even remotely healthy and productive, then the Braves could use him as a DH when going to AL parks, and give him some spot starts in RF while moving Acuña Jr. over to CF. Pache could sit out against some tougher matchups, and it would also allow the Braves to give Acuña Jr. and Ozuna a break every once in awhile..
The risk is basically nonexistant, but the reward could be quite valuable if he’s able to come back healthy!!
mumsy01
Cespedes is a cancer. He is fat, he is lazy, he is honey, and he doesn’t love baseball. As soon as he got his 9 figure deal he never intended to earn it. He quit on the Mets on a road trip without talking to the team. Just left the hotel. He doesn’t care about winning.
Now on baseball part. He used to be a good breaking ball hitter. He can’t touch a fastball up in the zone that is mid-90’s. Couldn’t in his prime.
Buyer beware, he is looking to fleece another fool GM out of money. I would love for Braves to sign this cancer. He will pout about not being paid after every decent game he has.
rocky7
Agreed man, and I’m not even a Mets fan, but inquiring teams should call the Mets and ask exactly what kind of “team” player they might be getting with this guy, and given that his “skills” are very questionable at this point, you would have to ask yourself is your desperation for an outfielder (if he can even still consistently play) that bad to put up with this type of locker room cancer?
angt222
I think he goes to TB. 1 year/$1M with incentives to push the deal towards $5M.
mumsy01
Tampa is way too smartly run an organization. I could see fool GM Al Avila signing him in Detroit. Why would anyone offer more than MLB minimum or minor league deal. He hasn’t consistently played since 2016 and got really fat.
Costa Rican Surfer
I think Cespedes ends up signing in either Japan or Korea. Teams don’t want to take a chance on his attitude wrecking the clubhouse, even on a make good or incentive-driven deal. And this has ZERO to do with him being a Latin player. The great majority of Latin players are awesome guys who are very dedicated to the game & great teammates who want to learn English & assimilate to American culture. But Cespedes’s attitude is an outlier. If he signs in Japan he better be prepared to work hard as those teams practice 3 times as much as MLB teams do.
darkstar61
Makes sense to me NL clubs would be there.
Likely going to get a minor league deal since he’s been out so much. Having a possible plus hitter stashed on a ML deal if the DH is coming to the NL again seems a smart move
If DH doesn’t happen, you have a guy you trade to an AL team if he’s hitting well, or you’re out almost nothing if he isn’t
ekrog
Makes sense the Reds were there. They’re desperate for a corner outfielder (sarcasm). Maybe they think he can play short…
mumsy01
No chance he takes a minor league deal. Way too big an ego.
darkstar61
He agreed to slash his salary
He knows he won’t get a guaranteed ML deal with just 127 games played the last 4 seasons, merely 46 the last 3, and a whopping 8 the last 2 years combined
He’s putting on a showcase hoping he even gets a Minor League with invite
babybears
Why would anyone be upset if he took a deal as a 4th outfielder and maybe even a platoon type bat where he can get in maybe 3-4 games a week? I think the Cubs are actually a good fit here. They still need some depth pieces and he can play LF or RF to be the righty bat to spell Heyward or Petersen.
darkstar61
He hasn’t really played the last 3.5 years
If he’s given a guaranteed spot, it likely indicates your front office feels your club is in serious trouble. That could be upsetting
ASapsFables
Cameron Maybin has first dibs for that role with the Cubs. Maybin had already agreed to an NRI deal. He is a couple of years younger than Cespedes, has played considerably more baseball in recent seasons, is healthier and has produced decent numbers in a backup/platoon role that Cespedes has never been asked to fill before. Maybin can also play all three outfield positions including CF while Cespedes has primarily been a left-fielder despite an arm that is more than capable in RF.
Clearly Cespedes has more ‘potential’ upside based on his past numbers but how much of that production is likely at this stage of his baseball career? Without a DH in the NL, I suspect that Cespedes would be a better fit for an AL team since his bat would be the most likely weapon he could still offer any team at this point in time.
bigdaddyhacks
Smells like the rangers in here.
Dez1021
Perfect sign and flip guy for my Tigers.
Oxford Karma
He’ll sign with the Rays, hit 25 bombs & drive in 90.
Rsox
It’s interesting that half the teams in attendance were NL teams. With no DH teams must still believe that he can contribute in the OF so i wouldn’t be surprised if the Diamondbacks check in as well given Kole Calhoun’s knee surgery.
The White Sox make the most sense. DH AB’s up for grabs, no need to rush Vaughn after having no minor league season last year. A roster with a few of his fellow countrymen would probably be good for him. If he’s got nothing left then turn to Vaughn
Cohn Joppolella
Orioles!
habs93
I would love to see the Tigers role the dice in Cesoedes and Porcello…might not work out, but both have proven to be elite and interesting that they were traded for one another…
metsie1
Cespedes was never a clubhouse “cancer”. Well, not until he picked up and quit on his team in the middle of a road trip. I could see an American League team for a DH role only. Although, the quitting act is hard to forget.