As of yesterday afternoon, Yoennis Cespedes had officially arrived in the United States. The Cuban slugger is scheduled to meet with the Marlins, who have become the favorites to land Cespedes, today. While the 26-year-old is reportedly set to meet with multiple clubs as he tours the States, the Marlins are hinting that an offer could be on the table before the end of today’s meeting.
Cespedes is going to tour the Marlins new ballpark today, according to Joe Capozzi of the Palm Beach Post. Cespedes landed in Florida yesterday, and will make his first face-to-face meeting with a major league club on U.S. soil today.
While the Marlins will be the first team to meet with Cespedes, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reported yesterday that other clubs could travel to Miami to engage in talks with the free agent and his representation.
Before the meeting’s even taken place, the Marlins have become the favorites to sign Cespedes. Miami hasn’t been shy about its interest in Cespedes from day one, and now Juan C. Rodriguez of the South Florida Sun Sentinel has said that the Marlins are likely to sign the Cuban defector.
The interest appears to be mutual, as Cespedes told reporters yesterday that he’d like to play in Miami. Cespedes also noted that he feels he is ready to play in the majors now. Some feel as if Yoennis will require some time in the minors before he’s ready for the bigs.
Marlins president David Samson confirmed yesterday that he and other executives are taking Cespedes out to lunch and giving the free agent a ballpark tour. Samson, who’s said the Marlins were prepared to pull out all the stops to sign Cespedes, told reporters yesterday that the club will “do something spectacular” in order to wow Yoennis.
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