A's land Cespedes

[love_that_reefer]

Per MLBTR

The Athletics continued their offseason stockpiling of young talent with the ultimate free agent addition, signing 27-year-old Cuban outfielder Yoenis Cespedes to a four-year, $36MM contract that allows him to reach free agency at its conclusion. Yahoo's Tim Brown first reported the agreement, while Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle added financial details and the yearly breakdown. Adam Katz of Wasserman Media Group represents Cespedes.

The A's have been aggressive on international talent in past years, though CBS Sports' Danny Knobler suggests they were a late entrant on Cespedes. The A's made a big bid for lefty Aroldis Chapman two years ago, and have now topped Chapman's record contract for a Cuban player. More significantly, the A's gave Cespedes $36MM over four years, as opposed to the six-year term preferred by the Marlins and other suitors. He'll reach the open market once again as a 30-year-old. Cespedes may benefit from some minor league seasoning, but ESPN's Buster Olney tweets that he'll get a shot right away to become Oakland's everyday right fielder.

Given his age, perhaps Cespedes should not be compared to top MLB prospects. Still, Baseball Prospectus' Kevin Goldstein would rank him 20th in baseball and Baseball America's Jim Callis would put him in the 7-15 range.

Cespedes, 26, became a free agent late last month and was recently unblocked by The Office of Foreign Asset Control according to Brown (on Twitter). Goldstein tweets Cespedes is expected to arrive in Phoenix for a physical in one to two weeks, and he's already cleared his age and identity investigation and has been drug tested.

Four years doesn't really sound like enough for Cespedes who will basically earn $9 million this season to play in the minors. It's quite the risk for the thrifty A's and it will be interesting to see how it turns out. I don't see him being a MLB CFer and don't really see him as the five tool player most are projecting him to be.

[Providence A's]

He'll have the chance to win an OF spot. He's making $6.5 mil this year BTW. $8.5 mil next year and $10.5 mil the last two years.

[Prez WilCo]

He play for 2 years with A's. If he succeeds then Bean will ship him for prospects.

[Tobywan]

Personally, I think he made a big mistake.

[Kingdom]

If he has one hot week, Beane would deal him.

[Providence A's]

He's making $6.5 mil this year BTW. $8.5 mil next year and $10.5 mil the last two years.

Yup.

[love_that_reefer]

Cespedes is expected in camp this Saturday.

[love_that_reefer]

This beast has hit three homers in three games! Looks like I was 100% wrong about him. He's as ready as can be

[zodious]

If he has one hot week, Beane would deal him.

His first weeks has been hot....

[Providence A's]

This beast has hit three homers in three games! Looks like I was 100% wrong about him. He's as ready as can be

He'll strike out a lot, but he's going to hit a lot of homers. I just find it funny so far because all the "experts" said his numbers would suffer in Oakland's stadium...and he already has 2 there.

[Foster]

Low average, high slugging?

He'd fit well on the Jays.

[realmofotalk]

He'll strike out a lot, but he's going to hit a lot of homers.

A centerfielder who hits a lot of home runs? Gee, I wish the Dodgers had a player like that.

[realmofotalk]

But yes, I'm bitter my team didn't sign him. I survived McCourt ownership and all I got was a lousy Juan Rivera.