Yoenis Cespedes to Work Out for Tigers
John Lowe of the Detroit Free Press is reporting that Yoennis Cespedes is scheduled to work out for the Detroit Tigers. Cespedes has been holding private workouts for teams in the Dominican Republic and has already met with the Red Sox, Cubs and Marlins.
Lowe centers his article on the ramifications Cespedes’s addition to Detroit’s roster could have on current center fielder Austin Jackson. While Cespedes is listed as a center fielder, he appears to carry a bat that will play in the outfield corners. Lowe believes this is exactly what would happen, as he believes it “would be a surprise” if Cespedes came in and unseated Jackson in center.
Most of the league has shown interest in Cespedes this offseason, and many more clubs figure to send officials to scout the 26-year-old. After his workout with the Marlins, team executives said they “were certainly impressed” by Cespedes’s “tools”. Overall, Miami considers Cespedes to be “an impressive player”.
This seems to be the general consensus around the league, and Cespedes expects to be paid accordingly. Originally it was speculated that Cespedes would require a deal close to the $30 million agreement Aroldis Chapman fetched last year.
Last week, Peter Gammons of MLB.com reported that Cespedes’s contract expectations had risen to the $35-50 million range, while Marlins beat writer Joe Frisaro heard the Cuban-defector may demand eight-years and $60 million.
At this point, the only word of an offer on the table for Cespedes is an eight-year deal that guarantees $10 million up front. Whatever the case, many agree that Cespedes’s timing couldn’t be better as he figures to be one of the top prizes of the 2012 free agent market.
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