Cespedes Re-signs with the Mets

[CaliSoxFanViaSWside]

I know this won't be a popular perspective but if Baltimore is willing to go 5 years on Cespedes then they can have him.

 

I think it's possible the Sox have been made aware of this offer and why we've seen the reports about the Sox looking elsewhere.

 

One more thing, Hahn has no balls!

 

I said all along that that Sox wouldn't get Cespedes or Upton but I would sure like to be wrong. If the Sox thought LaRoche at age 35 and 36 and coming from the NL ,was a bat that would get them into contention along with their other moves then why is paying Cespedes with experience facing AL central pitching, until he's 33 (4 year deal) or 34 (5 year deal) such a bad thing ?

 

Seems like everything has fallen into the Sox lap to sign him so why not get him at reduced years and salary compared to what everyone thought it would take to get him ? If they can't take advantage of this market I have no idea how they plan to compete with no one in the minors to step up and very little left on the farm to trade .

[caulfield12]

Then why in the other thread did you say never go more than 3 years?

 

Because that WAS the market December 23rd.

 

A LOT has changed since then.

 

If the rates were $125-150 million for Upton and Cespedes, clearly those would be longer than 3 years and questionable signs.

 

It's when the money gets in the $75-100 million range over 4 years that the equation changes dramatically...not to mention all the opt-outs/options/clauses that teams are getting creative with, like the Scott Kazmir contract with the Dodgers.

 

You can sign Cespedes to a four year deal with an extremely high probability he opts out after year 2 or 3, so, while technically a four year deal...it's also not one in actuality.

 

At any rate, for Upton and Cespedes, if the rates are reasonable, I would be willing to guarantee a fourth year if that was the deciding factor, knowing the contract as structured made it likely the Sox would only have to pay them for 2-3 seasons.

Edited January 15, 2016 by caulfield12

[BlackSox13]

I said all along that that Sox wouldn't get Cespedes or Upton but I would sure like to be wrong. If the Sox thought LaRoche at age 35 and 36 and coming from the NL ,was a bat that would get them into contention along with their other moves then why is paying Cespedes with experience facing AL central pitching, until he's 33 (4 year deal) or 34 (5 year deal) such a bad thing ?

 

Seems like everything has fallen into the Sox lap to sign him so why not get him at reduced years and salary compared to what everyone thought it would take to get him ? If they can't take advantage of this market I have no idea how they plan to compete with no one in the minors to step up and very little left on the farm to trade .

For me, spending that much money on one player for a team with as many holes and limited payroll as the Sox, it just didn't make sense to me. Still, I hoped like many but still kept my expectations low due to not wanting to assume JR would raise the budget and set myself up for a let down if he didn't or couldn't. You know what they say about assumptions.

 

There are two main differences I see between the LaRoche signing and potentially signing Cespedes to 4/5 years. 1) LaRoche was signed to p!ay 1B/DH so there's less health risk risk involved when compared to signing an outfielder. 2) signing LaRoche to a two year deal worth 25M total is less risky than a 30 year old player to a 4 or 5 year deal worth 90M+.

 

I would still like for the Sox to be able to sign Cespedes to a reasonable contract but I'm at peace with the idea that it could very well not happen. I still trust Hahn will come up with something.

Edited January 15, 2016 by BlackSox13

[Dick Allen]

Because that WAS the market December 23rd.

 

A LOT has changed since then.

 

If the rates were $125-150 million for Upton and Cespedes, clearly those would be longer than 3 years and questionable signs.

 

It's when the money gets in the $75-100 million range over 4 years that the equation changes dramatically...not to mention all the opt-outs/options/clauses that teams are getting creative with, like the Scott Kazmir contract with the Dodgers.

 

You can sign Cespedes to a four year deal with an extremely high probability he opts out after year 2 or 3, so, while technically a four year deal...it's also not one in actuality.

 

At any rate, for Upton and Cespedes, if the rates are reasonable, I would be willing to guarantee a fourth year if that was the deciding factor, knowing the contract as structured made it likely the Sox would only have to pay them for 2-3 seasons.

What has changed? Opt outs aren't anything new. Once again you back step. Now, what do you do if the Sox Sign Cespedes tomorrow? Complain about how much they spent and how they will be out of the free agent market 3 years from now. Everyone knows your act. Link us to something that says they would sign a reasonable 4 year contract with an opt out after 2. How do you know the Sox haven't floated that, how do you know they would sign it?

[caulfield12]

What has changed? Opt outs aren't anything new. Once again you back step. Now, what do you do if the Sox Sign Cespedes tomorrow? Complain about how much they spent and how they will be out of the free agent market 3 years from now. Everyone knows your act. Link us to something that says they would sign a reasonable 4 year contract with an opt out after 2. How do you know the Sox haven't floated that, how do you know they would sign it?

 

Let it be stated they at least went for it.

 

That didn't work out in 2011 and 2014, but they're kind of past the point of no return where half-measures won't get them anywhere beyond the low 80's for wins. The farm system isn't self-sustaining, either.

 

If they sign Upton or Cespedes tomorrow and it's for less than $100 million and less than five years, I will have zero complaint....because it works out wonderfully or they're forced to change the decision makers and coaching staff and try a new approach instead of continually being in desperation mode.

 

As you always point out, if the Royals can make terrible moves like Omar Infante, Alex Rios, Jason Vargas and Guthrie and still not miss a beat, there's still hope the White Sox can hit the jackpot just once on an acquisition.

Edited January 15, 2016 by caulfield12

[southsider2k5]

I think fowler due for regress with us.

 

How will his egress be?

[BlackSox13]

This article kind of makes it sound like Baltimore threw an offer at Cespedes in an attempt to get him on the cheap. Interesting take.

 

http://www.camdenchat.com/2016/1/15/107742...yoenis-cespedes

 

"Making sense of the Orioles interest in Yoenis Cespedes"

[Kyyle23]

How will his egress be?

 

I digress

[caulfield12]

"In recent days, the Orioles have increased their interest in outfielder Yoenis Cespedes and are considering a lucrative multi-year deal in the neighborhood of $18 million per year, according to the source. The length of any potential offer is unknown, but Cespedes was reportedly seeking a six-year deal earlier this offseason."

 

MASNSports.com reported Thursday that the Orioles had made Cespedes an offer.

 

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles...0114-story.html

 

 

So that's likely $90 million and five years...or $108 and six years, still a bargain compared to Davis.

[bmags]

That's a pretty fair offer.

[royoung]

This article kind of makes it sound like Baltimore threw an offer at Cespedes in an attempt to get him on the cheap. Interesting take.

 

http://www.camdenchat.com/2016/1/15/107742...yoenis-cespedes

 

"Making sense of the Orioles interest in Yoenis Cespedes"

 

This is my feeling as well. It's very rare that a national writer will get a leak as detailed as the years and dollar amount. It accomplishes two things for the Orioles IF Davis is truly their focus...

 

1) The contract offer to Cespedes is a jab at Boras and Davis. It's effectively telling the Davis camp that the Orioles don't have to spend 7/154 to acquire a big bat and there are cheaper alternatives in this market.

 

2) It stirs up the Cespedes market which might prevent another team from focusing on Davis themselves. Signing Cespedes to a 5/75-90 contract would be feasible for a lot of teams that thought his price tag was 100+ and an attractive alternative to a team that was thinking of beating the Orioles offer to Davis.

 

A third purely speculative motivation is the Orioles might be more interested in Upton than Cespedes as an alternative to Davis and the offer is misdirection.

Edited January 15, 2016 by southside hitman

[shipps]

The O's are probably just calling the bluff of Davis to get him to come down on his price. If the O's are targeting Cespedes as their number 1 and have moved on from Davis I think the deal would have been done a week ago.

 

But who really knows this off season painstakingly slow moving with everyone trying to manipulate the other.

[blackmooncreeping]

The O's are probably just calling the bluff of Davis to get him to come down on his price. If the O's are targeting Cespedes as their number 1 and have moved on from Davis I think the deal would have been done a week ago.

 

But who really knows this off season painstakingly slow moving with everyone trying to manipulate the other.

I agree with this; Davis is their 1st choice here. It's time he should take the original deal that is supposedly still on the table for him because it's clear he isn't going to top it at this point.

[BlackSox13]

This is my feeling as well. It's very rare that a national writer will get a leak as detailed as the years and dollar amount. It accomplishes two things for the Orioles IF Davis is truly their focus...

 

1) The contract offer to Cespedes is a jab at Boras and Davis. It's effectively telling the Davis camp that the Orioles don't have to spend 7/154 to acquire a big bat and there are cheaper alternatives in this market.

 

2) It stirs up the Cespedes market which might prevent another team from focusing on Davis themselves. Signing Cespedes to a 5/75-90 contract would be feasible for a lot of teams that thought his price tag was 100+ and an attractive alternative to a team that was thinking of beating the Oriole's offer to Davis.

 

A third purely speculative motivation is the Orioles might be more interested in Upton than Cespedes as an alternative to Davis and the offer is misdirection.

Great points. To me, this is telling Boras/Davis to s*** or get off the pot. I know Baltimore needs a LHB for their lineup but they can only wait for so long and at some point will have no choice but to move on. Showalter's recent comments seem to echo the teams frustration with Boras/Davis.

 

I think Baltimore's interest is genuine since they not only need a bat but need to replace the open rotation spot that Chen left. Imo, Baltimore would be stupid to sign Davis for 7/154M when they could conceivably sign Cespedes and Gallardo for close to the same money and fill two holes.

 

I see what you mean with Upton too. This could be an indirect jab to show Upton what they are willing to pay for one of the two top tier remaining free agents. Making an offer to Cespedes could bring Upton out from under the rock he's been hiding under.

 

At least Baltimore is doing something to try and shake things up while the rest of the teams and free agents sit around waiting for the other to blink first.

[SoCalSox]

Jon Heyman: "orioles offer to cespedes is said to be about 90M for 5 years. may include 6th year option. uncertain how he'll respond."

[fathom]

Jon Heyman: "orioles offer to cespedes is said to be about 90M for 5 years. may include 6th year option. uncertain how he'll respond."

 

I don't see the Sox topping that in years or total money

[SoCalSox]

I don't see the Sox topping that in years or total money

 

I think it's safe to say they are out on the top 2. Time to change focus to Fowler/Trade option, IMO.

[fathom]

I think it's safe to say they are out on the top 2. Time to change focus to Fowler/Trade option, IMO.

 

I would love to know if they were ever in on the top 2. I have big time doubts

[SoCalSox]

I would love to know if they were ever in on the top 2. I have big time doubts

 

Both raBBit & MLB Trade Rumors have said our interest on those two were overstated & more of a used leak than anything.

[Buehrle>Wood]

Both raBBit & MLB Trade Rumors have said our interest on those two were overstated & more of a used leak than anything.

Bucket seemed to disagree and he's the best source.

[SoCalSox]

Brittany Ghiroli:

 

"Source: Cespedes deal could include an option year beyond guaranteed five years. Hitter-friendly Camden Yards is appealing for him."

 

"Orioles seem serious, esp if they add that option. Nothing is imminent, but Cespedes is at least considering the offer."

[fathom]

Brittany Ghiroli:

 

"Source: Cespedes deal could include an option year beyond guaranteed five years. Hitter-friendly Camden Yards is appealing for him."

 

"Orioles seem serious, esp if they add that option. Nothing is imminent, but Cespedes is at least considering the offer."

 

If they are willing to offer him 6 years, they can have him. That won't be fun for them.

[blackmooncreeping]

If they are willing to offer him 6 years, they can have him. That won't be fun for them.

If they provide out clauses for Cespedes along the way it might not be that risky overall. But it does sound like a reach for the Sox.

[fathom]

If they provide out clauses for Cespedes along the way it might not be that risky overall. But it does sound like a reach for the Sox.

 

Rumor is Orioles don't believe in opt-outs

[Kyyle23]

i have a feeling something is gonna happen today