While the Miami Marlins wining and dining Yoenis Cespedes today, reports are already surfacing that the Marlins are the favorites to land him. Even Cespedes was quoted as saying he would like to play in Miami.
Other interested teams are expected to meet with Cespedes this week in Miami as well.
It not clear at this point whether the Marlins made him an offer, although one executive thought that the Marlins would try to seize the opportunity and make Cespedes an offer.
With the bidding for Cespedes expected to reach $50 to $60 million, I think the Cubs should focus their attention on landing Jorge Soler.
As I said before, Soler is younger, cheaper and many think he has more upside than Cespedes. Plus, he fits better into the Cubs long-term rebuilding plan. The last thing the Cubs need is to lock up someone like Cespedes to a 6-year, $60 million contract and watch him wash out after 3 years. He is not a normal free agent, with a known level of production. Thus, he inherently carries more risk.
With a player like Soler, we could give him a $15 million bonus up front and a 5-year, $15 million contract. Its a lot easier to cut a guy making $3 million than one making $10 million.
In any case, the Cubs will get their chance to meet with Cespedes and get a feel for what his salary expectations are. The Cubs may be looking to hit a homerun and sign both Cespedes and Soler. But if they just land Soler, I'll still be happy.
Need to sign them both, international rules change after this year. I would rather take a chance than to look back and say what if?
ReplyDeleteIt would be nice if they could sign them both, but I think they have an uphill climb against Miami for Cespedes.
DeleteI'd be happy if they land both. Don't you think it's unfair to the other teams as well with both Chicago teams (Detroit, Cleveland & Baltimore) to actually visit and meet Cespedes in Miami? That's just not fair to other teams, he should visit all their cities and ballparks for him to see what they look like and see what he thinks about them.
ReplyDeleteYes, I think that Miami has an distinct advantage in this regards, which is probably why a lot of GM's think they are the favorites to land Cespedes.
DeleteI was actually going to write a rant on that, but decided not to.
Really feel sorry for the other teams (including my Cubs) that they have to meet him in Miami. That's just not fair at all.
Deletelook, this is a man who hasn't known what a free press was until a month ago, we can't expect him to know how to manipulate the media like a seasoned veteran. 2 months ago he was saying he'd rather not play in Miami, now he says hopefully he can - it's all spin, and amateurish spin at that by a first time spinner. Let Miami wine and dine him, the deciding factor is going to the numbers on the bottom line - as I said in another post, I'd steer clear and let Miami have the inevitable headache.
Deletereading about his appearance in Miamai - shades, bling, saying he doesn't need any time in the minors, because he's "ready" - alarm bells ringing loud and clear. This is Sammy Sosa redux, right down to the bunny hop after homers. And there was his performance in the dominican winter league - do we really want to be paying him 12-15 mil/yr to look foolish against Lincicum, Oswalt and Hamels?
ReplyDeleteI'd say - steer clear. There will be other Cubans in the next 2-3 years when we're ready for them.
Yeah, I think the only thing missing is a press conference with him saying "I will be taking my talents to South Beach".
DeleteListening to Jurko on the radio, I could totally see the opposite happening one day: Someday a 6'8 Croat/Polish/Slovakian kid who throws 108mph comes to visit the states... Advantage CUBS!
ReplyDeleteIf my Cubs are so desperate for a CF why not bring up the kid in Iowa and parl Sorianoooicanttakeapitch on the waiver wire...Cespedes wont help right now and 15-18 mil is ahuge gamble on unproven talent.
ReplyDelete