Cubs To Work Out Yoenis...

Cubs To Work Out Yoenis Cespedes

http://muskat.mlblogs.com/2011/11/13/1112-cubs-to-work-out-cuban-star-cespedes/

7 months ago BarryLB 33 comments 0 recs |

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Oh good lord

Is Jim Hendry still running this team?

“five tool outfielder”

Who is 26. And would cost around 30 million, plus visa drama. Pass, Pass, Pass.

by The_Rock on Nov 13, 2011 7:02 AM CST reply actions

I'd bemore concerned if the Cubs weren't looking at him.

If half the teams in MLB were looking at him including many of the top teams and the Cubs didn’t even give him a look, I’d be bothered. No harm in giving him a workout. They haven’t made a ridiculous offer, or any offer for that matter. I’ll trust the Cubs staff to make the decision on making an offer after they see him in person and evaluate him.

Harry Caray: Marshall is going back to LA to get cocaine for his injured foot.
Steve Stone: Harry, that’s Novocaine.

by Julio Zuleta's Voodoo on Nov 13, 2011 7:37 AM CST via mobile up reply actions 2 recs

Nothing wrong with five-tool outfielders. Just Jim Hendry's five-tool outfielders.

by the nth on Nov 13, 2011 7:54 AM CST up reply actions

like who?

The Cubs havent had a guy with Cespedes’ tools in some time. Its not like he’s a free swinger. He appears to be a good hitter with power. What’s not to like?

...formerly known as zambranofan

by cubzfan on Nov 13, 2011 8:20 AM CST up reply actions

Nth is clearly referencing Soriano, Pie and Patterson.

All three guys are/were very toolsy, but lacked some key skills — notably plate discipline. Nth’s point is that Hendry would become enamored with toolsy guys (he’d had a thing for Soriano for a couple years before the 2006 offseason) and totally disregard how their skills would age (in Soriano’s case) or work in the big leagues (Pie and Patterson).

Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.

by elgato on Nov 13, 2011 8:48 AM CST up reply actions

Exactly, elgato. Not to mention the oh so very toolsy Ryan Harvey.

by the nth on Nov 13, 2011 9:40 AM CST up reply actions

He's worth looking at, though.

And $30 million isn’t really that much money on a big-league club — if a player is good.

These international signings are tricky, and the Cubs and Theo in Boston have been burned. I don’t expect the Cubs to be careless or to overpay here.

Put it this way: The Cubs’ outfield right now is really bad and they have two openings at power positions (third and first). The best option to supplement the lineup that makes sense for the Cubs is Prince Fielder — who will cost six to seven times more than $30 million. Pujols could cost even more, and he’s significantly older. Fielder is two years older than Cespedes, and Fielder has the whole “bad-body” issue.

Last point: I’d be a lot more worried about this if the Cubs didn’t have serious competition. In other words, other teams see at least some potential. This isn’t some throwback to Hendry’s tools-over-skills approach at all.

Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.

by elgato on Nov 13, 2011 8:45 AM CST up reply actions

I'm glad I read your post before I posted...

Because I would have said essentially the same thing!

Color me very intrigued!

by Hoostino on Nov 13, 2011 9:35 AM CST up reply actions

Too bad this guy can't play third base.

If he could, it would be a very good signing.

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by Al Yellon on Nov 13, 2011 9:43 AM CST up reply actions

Too bad Yulieski Gourriel isn't leaving

by jerry morales rules on Nov 13, 2011 9:53 AM CST up reply actions

Why couldn't he be a good signing for CF?

Our outfield sucks, and I wouldn’t be surprised if either Byrd or Soriano change uniforms this offseason.

by Dcr18 on Nov 13, 2011 10:19 AM CST up reply actions

Well, IF the Cubs can move Byrd and/or Soriano...

… sure.

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by Al Yellon on Nov 13, 2011 10:26 AM CST up reply actions

Byrd can be the team's fourth outfielder.

Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.

by elgato on Nov 13, 2011 10:30 AM CST up reply actions

Quite a bit to pay for a fourth outfielder though.

I’d rather bring back Reed to fill that role.

by Dcr18 on Nov 13, 2011 11:11 AM CST up reply actions

Me, too.

But if Cespedes is the guy Theo wants and Byrd can’t be traded …

Where have you gone, Kiko Calero. A nation turns its lonely eyes to you.

by elgato on Nov 13, 2011 11:12 AM CST up reply actions

I might just eat that contract, then.

Reed Johnson is a better bench player. I can’t see Byrd being effective as a spare-part OF and pinch hitter.

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by Al Yellon on Nov 13, 2011 12:15 PM CST up reply actions

And I don't imagine it would come to that.

Even if a team didn’t want all of his salary, I can imagine someone at least willing to take half of it. Agreed that Reed is a better option for that role.

by Dcr18 on Nov 13, 2011 12:24 PM CST up reply actions

I could see that, sure.

It would not surprise me to see Byrd in another uniform before spring training.

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by Al Yellon on Nov 13, 2011 12:25 PM CST up reply actions

ding ding ding

Chronologically inept since 2060
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A: Ditka
Ditka's mustache can kill two stones with one bird
It is better to spend money like there's no tomorrow than to spend tonight like there's no money! - Irish toast.

by Cubbie-Tim on Nov 14, 2011 7:44 PM CST up reply actions

Visa drama?

Unless he’s got a criminal record or actually says he’s a terrorist, he’ll get a free pass since he’s from Cuba.

by jerry morales rules on Nov 13, 2011 9:51 AM CST up reply actions

5 tools:

Screwdriver, hammer, pliers, chisel, socket wrench…..

by ClarkFan on Nov 13, 2011 4:38 PM CST up reply actions

Who needs a Swiss Army knife

With Yoenis around?

by Josh Timmers on Nov 14, 2011 12:31 AM CST up reply actions

Forgot the corkscrew - maybe he really has 6 tools!

by ClarkFan on Nov 14, 2011 10:10 AM CST up reply actions

I fixed the title of this post

“Per Muskat” wasn’t a very good title.

If you are posting a fanshot that is a link, use the “link” tab in the posting box. Otherwise people won’t be able to click on the link. Thanks.

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by Al Yellon on Nov 13, 2011 7:48 AM CST reply actions 1 recs

I see no issue.

I got a feeling that Jed/Theo team will do there best to move some of the current players. I can see this team being very proactive in trying to move people.

by Grockcubs on Nov 13, 2011 11:53 AM CST reply actions

Core Strength!

by Josh Timmers on Nov 13, 2011 12:53 PM CST reply actions 1 recs

ISWYDT

Step Two: Develop an organizational plan

by Shanghai Badger on Nov 13, 2011 1:55 PM CST up reply actions

I am intregued by this guy

I wonder how close he is to contributing.

I don’t want to play golf. When I hit a ball, I want someone else to go chase it.

by cub in louies nest on Nov 13, 2011 2:30 PM CST via mobile reply actions

He'd better be pretty close

since he’s 26 already.

I’d imagine anyone who signed him would be looking at him playing in the majors right away, or maybe just a few months in Triple A.

From what I’ve read and seen, he’s probably major-league ready now.

by Josh Timmers on Nov 14, 2011 12:33 AM CST up reply actions

i think if you are goign to pay $30 mil or so he better be in the line up opening day.

i’d be ok with a move like this.

by MDavis on Nov 14, 2011 12:23 PM CST up reply actions

Check out his youtube video

take away the fluff and this kid definitely has the tools and a really pretty swing.

Guys, hitting is not about muscle. It's simple physics. Calculate the velocity, v, in relation to the trajectory, t, in which g, gravity, of course remains a constant.... It's not complicated. - George Costanza

by troutfishin on Nov 13, 2011 2:32 PM CST reply actions