Yoenis Cespedes Rumors: Cubs, Marlins and White Sox in Serious Negotiations
By Editorial Staff
Now that Prince Fielder is off the market, Cuban native Yoennis Cespedes is considered by most to be the best position player available. Cespedes has been officially declared a free agent by Major League Baseball and interest in the 26-year-old remains sky-high. Jim Bowden of ESPN reported yesterday that Cespedes is expected to travel to the United States in the next seven to 10 days, while Yoennis’s representation told Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports that they are still planning on having the outfielder signed by Spring Training.
Bowden tweeted yesterday that six teams are “seriously negotiating” with Cespedes’s representation. Bowden added that the slugger is expected to travel to the US soon to make face-to-face meetings with his potential suitors.
Unable to name all six of the clubs that have been seriously negotiating with Cespedes, Bowden did list five of them; the Marlins, Cubs, White Sox, Orioles and Tigers. All of these clubs have been linked to Cespedes this offseason, though it’s surprising to see Detroit remain in the running after their signing of Fielder.
Ken Rosenthal spoke to Adam Katz, Cespedes’s agent, yesterday who said the market for his client is “meaningful and aggressive”. Katz went on to say that he is “aware” of Spring Training dates and that Cespedes is expected to “be in camp” with whichever club he ultimately signs.
While Cespedes remains an enigma for most, Jim Callis of Baseball America wrote a piece yesterday in which he said Yoennis would rank in the 7-15 range of BA’s list of top 100 prospects. Callis added that, as such, Cespedes would likely become the top prospect of whichever team he signs on with.
You can check out all of the available free agents by position below.