Should Yoenis Cespedes be an option for the Twins?

[DocBauer]

Rumors coming out of Boston now are that not only is he not crazy about re-signing there, but that Boston may now be thinking of moving him. He has one year left on his contract that will pay him $10.5M in 2015.

 

Is this a tactical move on his part to garner a better extension? Or is he simply not happy in Boston? The Red Sox gave up an awfully good SP in Lester to acquire him, but his reluctance to play and sign there could be lowering his trade value.

 

He's not old, but he's also not young at 29. He's generally, from what I've read and seen, a solid LF with a big arm. He runs OK, can steal a base, but isn't a big running threat. He's also not a great OB guy, nor a pure power hitter or big time RBI producer. But his numbers for the last three seasons are solid.

 

2012: .292-.356-.505-25Dbls-5Trp-23HR-82RBI

2013: .240-.294-.442-21Dbls-4Trp-26HR-80RBI

2014: .260-.301-.450-36Dbls-6Trp-22HR-100RBI

 

Do those numbers deserve $10.5M in 2015? What kind of extension are those numbers worth? And most importantly, are those numbers worth making a trade for a 1-year look-see while either working out a fair option, or, taking the risk of a quality full year then attempting to make a re-signing?

 

It depends obviously on what the Sox would want back, and whether Cespedes and his camp show any willingness to discuss an extension. I'm of the belief the Red Sox may be handcuffed on this one.

 

Assuming the asking price truly isn't high, would you be willing to make the trade for one year and hope? The potential is there for a multi-year, productive offensive and defensive player in the what...$9-10-11M per range? Is this someone the Twins should be in on?

[Kwak]

Yes!  He improved Oakland substantially, and when he left there was a huge regression.  Cespedes is an impact player--the guy!--in the middle of the line-up that can be built around.  The young hitters will get more good pitches to hit.  His defense will play on a Twins team, and he has proven leadership ability.  There are people that can be exchanged.

[Senior Softball Guy]

Waste of money. Why clog up an overcrowded outfield with someone like this. Let someone else overpay. The Twins offense, now and down the road, is not the problem. Solid starting pitching is what we need and a little patiencece, a little patience.......

[Kwak]

Overcrowding?!? There is no such thing!  The Twins have a dearth of OF. 

 

Arcia:  Liability on defense, strikeout machine, and low OBA.  Despite his faws he is he surest bet

 

Hicks:  Failed twice as a starter; desperation says he gets a third (and final chance).  Skepticism reqd.

 

Schafer:  Cut from the same cloth as bench players--a true reserve

 

Santana:  An infielder pressd into the OF because Hicks failed, he was stained in ST as not ready for SS

                 He belongs in the INF

 

Parmelee, Colabello, Hermann:  Ceiling is #25 on the roster--PH and emergency use only.

 

The Rest:  Minor leaguers at least a year away--most won't make it.

 

There is a big need for an OF.

[lightfoot789]

Overcrowding?!? There is no such thing!  The Twins have a dearth of OF. 

 

Arcia:  Liability on defense, strikeout machine, and low OBA.  Despite his faws he is he surest bet

Hicks:  Failed twice as a starter; desperation says he gets a third (and final chance).  Skepticism reqd.

Schafer:  Cut from the same cloth as bench players--a true reserve

Santana:  An infielder pressd into the OF because Hicks failed, he was stained in ST as not ready for SS        

Parmelee, Colabello, Hermann:  Ceiling is #25 on the roster--PH and emergency use only.

The Rest:  Minor leaguers at least a year away--most won't make it.

 

There is a big need for an OF.

 

Out of curiousity - Who is the last person that gave you hope (for the Twins) and  why did they give you hope?

 

No positive vibes for the future?

[Linus]

My main concern would be fielding.  With Arcia in right, we are going to need an adequate fielder, minimum in left.  Don't know if he fits that bill.

[tobi0040]

I am a gigantic no.  Cespedes OPS the last 2 years, .737 and .751.  Hicks against lefties, career OPS of .750.  Arcia against righties .850.

 

I will concede that a guy I have never watched play LF is likely an upgrade over Arcia, but if we can get better offensive production with guys we have....I am against moving prospects for a 1 year deal....then extending and overpaying for this guy. 

 

We have limited funds, I say get a pitcher. I can't say that we have five pitchers that will be better next year than Shields or Ervin Santana....so lets invest there.

[Lazarus]

If Boston can't extend his contract, they will retain him until the trading deadline in July and then move him for a decent prospect.  Boston won't move him now unless someone really ponies up with a choice prospect.  There is no chance that he would sign with the Twins if they commit the huge act of charity by giving a good prospect to Boston - effectively bailing them out of a tough situation.

 

I'd rather start with Rosario in LF, with Hicks/Schafer warming CF until Buxton comes up later in the season.  Leave Arcia in RF - quit bouncing him around between LF and RF.

[nicksaviking]

He's an above average fielder which is something people around here keep asking for, he's also generally an above average hitter, something that I want.  If the asking price isn't too high I'd take him. 

 

Unfortunately, the asking price is almost certainly going to be more than he's worth.  He's a big name, a two time HR derby champion and his absence caused the A's late season swoon (according to many ill-informed analysts).  He's a solid MLBer but he's going to get traded and paid like a superstar and his play is not reflective of that designation.

[tobi0040]

He's an above average fielder which is something people around here keep asking for, he's also generally an above average hitter, something that I want.  If the asking price isn't too high I'd take him. 

 

Unfortunately, the asking price is almost certainly going to be more than he's worth.  He's a big name, a two time HR derby champion and his absence caused the A's late season swoon (according to many ill-informed analysts).  He's a solid MLBer but he's going to get traded and paid like a superstar and his play is not reflective of that designation.

 

Well, they gave up Lester for him.  So they would likely give him up for some combination of Duensing and our 30th best prospect.

 

Lester had a 2.35 ERA for Oakland, while Cespedes had a .719 OPS in Boston.  I don't see that trade as a reason for the decline.

[James]

I don't really see him signing an extension anywhere.  He's going to test the market.  That being said, I don't think it's a good idea to give up a bunch of prospects for one year of a guy, especially when the Twins will probably not be contending.

 

Put me down as a "no" as well.

[TheLeviathan]

As a free agent in two years - absolutely.  That's why I'd like to see a "make good" deal with Rasmus this year.

 

Cespedes is a good fielder with a big arm and a straight pull power hitter from the right side.  Is that not exactly what fits our park and our needs?

 

He should absolutely be a guy we look at when he hits the market.

[tobi0040]

 

He should absolutely be a guy we look at when he hits the market.

 

I agree we should look at him, but I think this is a case where the hype exceeds the production.  Translation, he is going to make a ton of money.  He has power, that is great.  But he K's a ton and has a low average, resulting in an OPS in the .750 range.  If you platoon LF, you will have a tough time NOT getting .750 OPS production.

[TheLeviathan]

I agree we should look at him, but I think this is a case where the hype exceeds the production.  Translation, he is going to make a ton of money.  He has power, that is great.  But he K's a ton and has a low average, resulting in an OPS in the .750 range.  If you platoon LF, you will have a tough time NOT getting .750 OPS production.

 

A .750 OPS isn't necessarily a bad thing.  Might you have to overpay in dollars?  Sure, but it's only dollars.  He's also that classic Willingham type of hitter that will excel here more than usual IMO.

 

http://www.fangraphs.com/spraycharts.aspx?playerid=13110&position=OF&type=battedball&pid2=13110&ss1=2012&se1=2014&ss2=2012&se2=2014&cht1=hangtime&cht2=battedball&vs1=ALL&vs2=ALL

 

Check out his spray charts.  The man crushes to LF - he'd be a perfect fit here.

[nicksaviking]

Well, they gave up Lester for him.  So they would likely give him up for some combination of Duensing and our 30th best prospect.

 

Lester had a 2.35 ERA for Oakland, while Cespedes had a .719 OPS in Boston.  I don't see that trade as a reason for the decline.

 

I agree, he wasn't the reason for the A's nosedive.  That doesn't stop plenty of people from claiming his removal from the team was the cause.

[James]

As a free agent in two years - absolutely.  That's why I'd like to see a "make good" deal with Rasmus this year.

 

Cespedes is a good fielder with a big arm and a straight pull power hitter from the right side.  Is that not exactly what fits our park and our needs?

 

He should absolutely be a guy we look at when he hits the market.

He's a free agent after 2015.  That's why I say don't trade for him now when he'll be a free agent after this next season.  The Twins will hopefully be in better shape going into 2016, which is when you start filling in gaps with free agents.  It may turn out, that Rosario or someone ends up in taking over the LF spot and turns into a good player, or you still have a gap and you pay the big bucks for a free agent.  

 

Either way, he's not worth going after for 2015 in my opinion.

[h2oface]

Didn't the twins pay Cuddyer about 11.5 million in 2010 (similar in 2009....) for virtually the same numbers (I don't remember as many doubles and triples, though) and the big arm?  And wasn't he about 30 or 31 as well?  The Twins need outfielders that really go for the ball and excel in the field , that is for sure.  I don't think Cespedes is the guy.  He is good for a home run derby, though.

[Brandon]

only if he signs a  3 year extension should we go after him. that means  "no" cause that's what he would tell us.

[TheLeviathan]

Didn't the twins pay Cuddyer about 11.5 million in 2010 (similar in 2009....) for virtually the same numbers (I don't remember as many doubles and triples, though) and the big arm?  And wasn't he about 30 or 31 as well?  The Twins need outfielders that really go for the ball and excel in the field , that is for sure.  I don't think Cespedes is the guy.  He is good for a home run derby, though.

 

Cespedes plays the corner OF much better than Cuddyer  and a better fit for our ballpark.  But I agree with James - he's a FA target, not a trade target.

[SwainZag]

Don't give up prospects for a guy who will be a one year rental.  The Twins will be in no position to offer a corner OF with a .750 OPS, turning 30, a multi-year deal after 2015.

[Paul Pleiss]

I wouldn't trade to acquire Cespedes, but I would trade to acquire Cespedes Family BBQ.

 

Their twitter game is strong.

[ericchri]

He would make perfect sense for the team assuming they (Red Sox) would trade him for somebody of middling prospect status.  A Danny Ortiz type.  Since I assume they would want better than that, I would say pass, see how the OF shakes out and if he makes sense as a FA in a year.