Yoennis Cespedes - Available!

It is official! Cespedes is now on the market, he is a free agent now! He has obtained citizenship with the Dominican Republic and has be officially listed by Major League Baseball as a free agent.  The outfielder is now, after the signing of Prince Fielder by the Tigers, the most sought after free agent on the market and one of the most wanted Cuban in a long time.  With the signing of Fielder the services of Cespedes is not so hotly desired by the Tigers anymore.  Other reports have stated that Cespedes will not play for the Miami Marlins even if they are the highest bidder.

SO since that leaves the Cubs as the only major contender left for his services,  a few minor players are left, but  this has paved the way to the north side for Yoennis!

The Cuban Centipede – A Cuban Cub?

Yoennis Cespedes, a Cuban defector is one of the, if not the most hotly sought after free agent on the market this offseason.  Now in the process of defecting, and obtaining citizenship in the Dominican Republic, this will allow him to play in the Majors.  Being 26 years old, he is too old to go through the draft process, and will forgo this and simply become a free agent.  As he is supposedly in the final stages of his citizenship process, which has lasted about two months, there are still three (3) teams hot on his tail.  They are willing to throw big money at the outfielder for his services in their Major League organizations.  This five tool star in the making is being eyed by the Marlins, Tigers and most importantly the Cubs.

So screw the rest of the teams let’s talk about the Cubs and why he could fit in right away with the big league club. 

The Cubs’ current outfield roster goes like so!

-          Marlon Byrd

-          Reed Johnson

-          Alfonso Soriano

-          Tony Campana

-          David DeJesus   

Adding Cespedes could be very important!  He is built like an NFL running back- so if all falls through just send him to Soldier Field to try out for the Bears.  With talks that Soriano could go to the Tigers that may satisfy their need for an outfielder even though I think he should move to DH with the AL club.  Being a five tool outfielder he could replace what Soriano used to be able to do in his younger days before he started to strikeout every at bat.  With the pop that Soriano still has in his bat this could help the Tigers who will be without Victor Martinez for the majority of the season. 

Cespedes is a valuable tool that will be very important and helpful as the Cubs look to rebuild this year.  He will be learning the Major League game over the course of the year as the Cubs look to improve themselves during this season.  The only issue that may arise is the idea that the Cubs will continue to cut payroll this year as they move towards building the war chest back up for the future. 

BUT to throw the money you have at Cespedes or not?????

Cespedes - Outfielder or Running Back?

Cespedes wants a long term deal of $50-60M.  This is too much for Epstein and Hoyer to invest in one player during their rebuilding era.  However – CURVEBALL.  Another Cuban defector Jorge Soler is described as a younger Cespedes and he is on the market through hear say for about $20M.  This is an investment for a potential five tool player on a team that is rebuilding.  He would go to the minor leagues with a fast track to the Majors.  If Epstein gets a good look and likes what he sees he and Hoyer will pull the trigger on this one for the Cubs.  

Savior of the Cubs!

 All in all we need some outside help to make this five year plan for Epstein work – Save us Cuba!

Theo Epstein - The Man, The Myth, The Legend

With 103 years of disappointment comes an air of scepticism.  This is the situation the Chicago Cubs find themselves in going in to each of the past few seasons.  However, with a renewed focus towards putting a championship contending team on the field this past season the owner Joe Ricketts and son Tom Ricketts have decided money is no object.  This is the mentality which is necessary for a winning ball club in today’s baseball.  The most important change that the Cubs have made is the hiring of Theo Epstein brought in to become President of Baseball Operations.  The Ricketts’ brought in Epstein from the Red Sox after years of successful managing of the Boston club. 

Having stolen him away from a ball club that has seen recent success under his leadership, a hefty price must be paid for his services.  This fee is about twenty million over the next five years.  But if this is the price for creating a winning culture that hasn’t been seen since the early 2000’s after the Steve Bartman incident, then I’m glad the Tom Ricketts is prepared to pay it.  Arguably the hungriest fans in sports need something to look forward to and with Theo Epstein calling the shots from up top.  With Epstein at the helm his first move was to bring in a general manager to execute his ideas and strategies going forward with the Cubs organization.  The man for the job is Jed Hoyer.  Another young and hungry leader within the Cubs’ trust to organize and orchestrate deals to move the club forward Hoyer will bring fresh eyes and new perspective to the 2012 season.

Back to Epstein...

A graduate of Yale he was hired by the Boston Red Sox at the age of 28 to become the youngest General Manager of a baseball in history.  He ended an 86 year drought of not winning a championship for the Red Sox and looks to accomplish the same feat for the Cubs.  During his nine year tenure he won two World Series Titles and took the team to the playoffs four other times taking them from irrelevance to perennial contenders.   This ‘Epstein Effect’ is what the Cubs are looking for to take them mediocrity to championship contenders.    Although Epstein’s Red Sox team was not afraid to spend money, he also is from the ‘moneyball’ era of baseball.  He is able to find undervalued players and bring them to prominence within the Major League ranks.  Some of his most notable work is with Kevin Youkilis.  Taking a player no one had on their radar in the eighth round (a steal) and finding value in his playing style.  His batting average in the major’s is a shade under 300 and on base percentage of just under 400.  He possesses all of the skills of a highly touted prospect but Epstein and the Red Sox found him in the eighth round!  It is with moves like this that the Cubs now have hopes of a World Series in the very near future.  The five year plan of the Cubs with Epstein at the helm in my opinion is as follows:

Year 1: Get out of the basement of the NL Central.  Find talent in the draft and begin to build up the minor league teams for the future of the club.  Have a 500 record to restore the ‘roar’ of the Cubs.

Year 2: After beginning to regain success the Cubs will need to look to add pieces to become division threats and through another successful draft, and good free agency period become contenders for the title of the Central Division. 

Year 3: It’s time for the young pieces and building blocks of the club to show their talent lead by strong starting pitching and win the division or gain a wild card berth.

Year 4:  After having gotten a taste of the playoffs the year before and having another successful offseason the Cubs will look to launch a deep playoff run with great pitching and timely hitting necessary for good teams to perform well during the playoffs.

Year 5: Time to end the drought of what would now be 108 years and win the elusive World Series title and become a dynasty for years to come. HELL YES!

See the video of Theo being introduced as President of Baseball Operations

Tell me that’s not a confident man!

Tell me the World Series is not coming to Chi Town!

Cubs fans be ready, 

Championship in FIVE!