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Washington Nationals could be on Yoenis Cespedes’ trail

By Tim Haberin

Aug 14, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; New York Mets left fielder Yoenis Cespedes (52) runs out a single against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the eighth inning at Citi Field. The Pirates defeated the Mets 3-2 in ten innings. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 14, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; New York Mets left fielder Yoenis Cespedes (52) runs out a single against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the eighth inning at Citi Field. The Pirates defeated the Mets 3-2 in ten innings. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Washington Nationals are the latest team to be linked to slugger Yoenis Cespedes.

Another day, another Yoenis Cespedes rumor. It’s a safe bet that until he’s signed, the star outfielder will be the primary topic of conversation in Major League Baseball.

Sources tell FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal that the Washington Nationals have joined the fray on Cespedes, reportedly making an offer to the 30-year-old.

The Nats expressed interest in the other prominent free agent outfielders this offseason, making strong plays to sign Jason Heyward and Justin Upton before they joined the Cubs and Tigers, respectively. It makes sense that they would move onto the next candidate and pursue Cespedes.

Rosenthal is quick to point out, however, that Washington does not present the clearest fit for Cespedes’ services. The D.C. outfield already boasts NL MVP Bryce Harper, Jayson Werth on an expensive deal, along with the recently acquired Ben Revere.

Could the Nats make a move to create room for a shiny new toy like Cespedes? Werth would seem like the most obvious trade candidate, but he is due to make $42 million over the next two seasons and has a full no-trade clause.

Most would probably agree that Werth is weakest link in the Washington outfield. He’ll turn 37 in May and missed 74 games last season due to injury while posting an .685 OPS, the lowest of his career since becoming a full-time player. Dealing him is a pipe dream, at least unless the Nationals kick in significant money.

Still, the allure of snatching Cespedes, who helped lift the division rival Mets to the 2015 NL East crown, is palpable. If there’s a club that might take a leap to make it work, it could be the Nationals.

Cespedes’ next home may simply hinge on whichever team is willing to give him the most years in a contract. As Rosenthal points out, the outfielder’s other main suitors, namely the Mets and White Sox, will reportedly only go to three years on him. If the Nationals (or another club) pony up a fourth year or more, that could seal the deal.

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Where do you think Cespedes is going? Sound off in the comment section below. And, as always, stay tuned to Call to the Pen for more news and rumors.

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