A's sign Cespedes: 4 years/36 million

I've mixed feelings because if he becomes a star, I'll be happy he went to Oakland. However, if he turns out to be a bust, I'll be sad that he didn't become a Marlin.

4 months ago ryan c 20 comments 0 recs |

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It's official

NOBODY actually wants to play in Miami.

(expected response: ‘Jose Reyes and Mark Buehrle would like a word with you.’)
(pre-emptory response to that: ‘Well, it took $164m thrown at them to accept’)

"Sir Stealth, Stay stealth.. Your a moron" (jrod1142), 12/15/11 (the epic FWren Fortitude FanPost)

by carpengui on Feb 13, 2012 12:56 PM EST reply actions

OK, so the A's also now seem to have a suprlus of OFs

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/oakland-signs-yoenis-cespedes-creates-outfield-surplus/

Could we make a deal?

http://sportsandgrits.com/

by Mr. Sanchez on Feb 13, 2012 1:43 PM EST reply actions

Reddick, maybe

Otherwise, I’m not really interested in anyone they have.

Hey! I’m new.
by ChopMaster on Jul 7, 2011 10:24 PM CDT (joined Jul 19, 2010)

Twitter: @biggentleben

by biggentleben on Feb 13, 2012 2:05 PM EST up reply actions

Cowgill could fit as a CF possibility next year

although he is pretty old for a prospect. Taylor, Seth Smith, or Carter, could be enticing too if they were cheap in terms of players required. I don’t think I’d give up a Prado or JJ for any of them straight up, but maybe a package including one of those OFs could work.

http://sportsandgrits.com/

by Mr. Sanchez on Feb 13, 2012 2:16 PM EST up reply actions

Cespedes is going to need time in the minors

by rxadam on Feb 13, 2012 4:50 PM EST up reply actions

Maybe, and probably so,

but that contract doesn’t get delayed by service time, and is expensive from the start. That contract seems to disagree with the idea that he’ll be anything but in Oakland from opening day on.

http://sportsandgrits.com/

by Mr. Sanchez on Feb 13, 2012 5:09 PM EST up reply actions

I don’t think it’s a guarantee that Cespedes starts off in the big leagues. Seth Smith and Gomes will probably platoon in LF, Reddick will probably start in RF, and Crisp in CF. With no apparent lock at DH, the surplus lessens.

With the GIo trade, the A’s have picked up a ton of pitching. Our pitching surplus probably doesnt “wow” them any longer.

They could use Prado. That’s about it. Their 1b, 2b, and 3b depth chart is sad.

If the 2012 Opening Day starting lineup has a Diaz instead of a Heyward, I will be buying a new TV.

by ryan c on Feb 13, 2012 3:21 PM EST up reply actions

At that price

it’s a pretty safe bet he starts in the majors from day 1.

http://sportsandgrits.com/

by Mr. Sanchez on Feb 13, 2012 4:40 PM EST up reply actions

He'd have to kill it in ST

by Undocorkscrew on Feb 14, 2012 3:47 AM EST up reply actions

Really?

The most expensive guy on their roster.

http://sportsandgrits.com/

by Mr. Sanchez on Feb 14, 2012 6:35 AM EST up reply actions

And he's killed it in the Cuban League...

he’s not 19 and it’s not his first exposure to advanced pitching.

"If you're looking around...then we're looking around" - Coach Paul Johnson

by TBuzz on Feb 14, 2012 8:29 AM EST up reply actions

This seems to contradict everything said in Moneyball.

Official Champion on the 2011 Talking Chop Fantasy Football League.

by KINGSLYTUT on Feb 13, 2012 3:34 PM EST reply actions

curious, yeah. It was pointed out (John Heyman, I believe) that the A’s were also heavily involved in trying to lure Aroldis Chapman out west. So while odd, at least they’re being consistent.

"Sir Stealth, Stay stealth.. Your a moron" (jrod1142), 12/15/11 (the epic FWren Fortitude FanPost)

by carpengui on Feb 13, 2012 3:41 PM EST up reply actions

Why do you say it contradicts Moneyball?

If the 2012 Opening Day starting lineup has a Diaz instead of a Heyward, I will be buying a new TV.

by ryan c on Feb 13, 2012 3:48 PM EST up reply actions

A lot of money for an unproven, but high-profiled international prospect I guess

That and maybe he’s not much of a walker?

by Undocorkscrew on Feb 14, 2012 3:48 AM EST up reply actions

I've read where the Cuban professional baseball league...

plays at a level of about AAA or so. He’s not a 17-year old prospect, but a 26-year old league veteran who’s killed it in his professional league. This is not as big a jump as most would think.

Certainly out of character for the A’s, who I think would rather go after the 17-year old prospect since they are cheaper…and can be “made” into more valuable commodoties.

"If you're looking around...then we're looking around" - Coach Paul Johnson

by TBuzz on Feb 14, 2012 8:28 AM EST up reply actions

Moneyball’s theme:
“Hire employees who are undervalued in the market, and invest in them, to produce a great team.”

Prior to the Winter Leagues, Cespedes was reportedly asking for 60-75 million. He had a very poor showing and turned many teams off due to lack of plate discipline shown in 23 at-bats (take about SSS), never mind you that the competition was probably on par to the norm he faced for better part of a decade and ripped apart in Cuba.

So, the A’s, seeing that his value dropped significantly after 20 ABs decide to enter the bidding on Cespedes, probably with a max bid in mind. To get a player of Cespedes’ potential without having to go more than 9 million a year for 4 years is buying low on an undervalued talent, the exact definition of Moneyball.

If the 2012 Opening Day starting lineup has a Diaz instead of a Heyward, I will be buying a new TV.

by ryan c on Feb 13, 2012 4:04 PM EST reply actions

Beane’s theory is not to get players based on potential, but production. Cespedes hasn’t produced against top competition.

Don’t get me wrong I think it’s great signing, I just find it curious that it was the A’s

Official Champion on the 2011 Talking Chop Fantasy Football League.

by KINGSLYTUT on Feb 13, 2012 5:50 PM EST up reply actions

Evidently we read the book and theme differently. I read it as Beane looks for undervalued talent. You look at it as he tries to get productive players under value.

If the 2012 Opening Day starting lineup has a Diaz instead of a Heyward, I will be buying a new TV.

by ryan c on Feb 13, 2012 6:23 PM EST up reply actions

If Cespedes reaches his potential...

we could be reading about how his next contract in 2016 may be worth 7 years at $150MM (purely a guess). The A’s could set themselves up really nicely by moving such a player at the deadline…so I agree its not a bad risk/reward type deal

"If you're looking around...then we're looking around" - Coach Paul Johnson

by TBuzz on Feb 13, 2012 11:09 PM EST up reply actions