Yoenis Cespedes Rumors: White Sox May Pursue Cespedes
By Editorial Staff
We’ve hit January 2012, and that means we’re nearing resolution in the Yoennis Cespedes situation. Many expect Cespedes will sign this month, perhaps as soon as next week, and the list of suitors for the 26-year-old remains long. Bruce Levine of ESPNChicago.com is reporting that, since they’ve now cleared salary by shipping outfielder Carlos Quentin to the Padres, the White Sox may enter the bidding for Cespedes. Beyond the White Sox, the Cubs, Yankees, Red Sox, Marlins, Tigers, Nationals, Rays and Phillies have all been linked to Cespedes this offseason.
Following the Quentin trade, White Sox general manager Kenny Williams told reporters that “there are some doors that are now open” for Chicago “that were not open yesterday because of the savings of dollars”.
Williams did not officially state which direction the White Sox will be heading, but Levine speculates that Chicago could use the additional $10 million or so saved by shedding the contracts of Quentin and closer Sergio Santos to enter the Cespedes bidding.
Though other teams, such as the Marlins, Nationals and Tigers, have shown significant interest in Cespedes, Levine notes that the White Sox may have more to offer the Cuban native.
Over the past several seasons, the White Sox have brought in several players native to Cuba including Orlando Hernandez (“El Duque”), Jose Contreras and current players Alexei Ramirez and Dayan Viciedo. Levine says this “haven for Cuban baseball players” may offer Cespedes a greater level of comfort while he transitions to playing baseball in the United States.
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