Yoenis Cespedes led all LF for HRs with 35 on the campaign in 2015. He picked a contract year for his best season to date out of the 4 years he has been in the Major Leagues. Cespedes hit 17 HRs with the Mets in 2 months, after smacking out just 18 in the first four months with Detroit. Cespedes finished in the top 40 for both leagues in respective big fly’s, and was tie for 13th overall with Manny Machado and David Ortiz. The 30 Year Old would not be a good fit in San Diego – where they have a similar player in Matt Kemp already. His presence with Trout and Calhoun in Los Angeles would be the best all around Outfield in the Majors should he sign there.
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With Yoenis Cespedes still on the open market a lot of speculation is running rampant on which squads should be in the running for his services.
While I am not sure I buy the theory at all, the Padres have been said to be checking in on the big Cuban star.
This type of signing would be a monumental mistake in my view.
I would hope that A.J. Preller would have learned his lesson by acquiring high strikeout, low OBP players that have power that may not translate to their home park in Petco Park.
Don’t you think Preller would love a Mulligan on Matt Kemp? I am not saying that this deal is horrific by any means, but it took a great second half by the former Dodgers for this situation not to take an abysmal look.
Look at the projected Padres lineup for 2016, and there really isn’t many guys who can take a free pass.
Plate Appearances, Walks, OBP
Yangervis Solarte, 3B, 571, 34, .320
Alexei Ramirez, SS, 622, 31, .285
Wil Myers, 1B, 253, 27, .336
Matt Kemp, RF, 648, 39, .312
Derek Norris, C, 557, 35, .305
Alex Dickerson, LF, 8, 0, .250
Cory Spangenberg, 2B, 345, 28, .333
Melvin Upton Jr., CF, 228, 21, .327
Jon Jay, CF (4th OF), 245, 21. .306
While I like the power of Cespedes, who just crushed 35 HRs in 2015, his power would be diminished in Petco Park. Also remember that 19 of his road games would be in AT @ T Park and Dodger Stadium in the NL West.
It would be another thing if Matt Kemp were not on the Padres either. The two players are just too similarly alike.
I like any idea of a LF other than Alex Dickerson labeled on the depth chart, although the club needs to see what it has in Dickerson and other prospects Hunter Renfroe and Rymer Liriano at some point in the coming years.
If Preller was smart, he would be marketing a trade for Matt Kemp to an American League, or at least feel the temperature for some clubs that may dole out a prospect for his services at the Deadline this coming year.
It would be nice if the club would not have to pay James Shields past this year either. That means him pitching well in 2016, and either being traded – or opting out of his longterm deal with San Diego.
Throwing out another contract with around $20 MIL on the club is not practical. They would have been better off re-signing Justin Upton if that were the case.
I believe on a long term deal Cespedes would be ideal for an American League club. His defense is okay for now, but if he is inking a deal for more than 3 years as reported, the ability to DH later in the deal would provide a good fallback scenario.
If the price is under $100 MIL for five years, I am surprised there are not more clubs that want to enter this derby for him.
Los Angeles Angels would stand to benefit greatly from acquiring a guy like Cespedes. With Mike Trout and Kole Calhoun, they could withstand a lower OBP if it provides the pop the man can bring in the lineup.
Arte Moreno is fearful of acquiring any salaried players, but he must realize his team is in dire need of some offense with the squad they are currently dangling forth with.
It may just be a hit for one year until the club can show the door to C.J. Wilson and Jered Weaver.
You also have to factor the Angels losing Albert Pujols for at least a month. Bringing in Cespedes would be a perfect scenario while that took place.
Both Trout and Calhoun are Gold Glove winners of the past year, and Cespedes could aid them in the Left Field slot to field perhaps the best Outfield trio in the game.
Having a tandem of Daniel Nava and Craig Gentry is not going to cut it in a cutthroat American League playoff race where 13 clubs may challenge for a playoff spot.
It is not only the 2016 season you have to think. It is beyond the next year. You have Mike Trout and Albert Pujols for the next 5 years, and Kole Calhoun for 4 years, but that is about all the production you have on the current roster.
Los Angeles has drawn north of 3 Million fans ever since they won the World Series in 2002, however they need to supplant Trout with some offensive help soon – otherwise I could see a serious decline at the turnstiles for Angel Stadium in the near future.
The Rangers, Mariners and Astros all have slugging lineups who can pulverize the ball in terms of Homers.
The Mets cant afford him, the White Sox don’t like the fit with a bunch of homer happy players already. Where else does he fit in? The Angels are the best fit. Pay him 5 YRs/$100 MIL.
It is time for Arte Moreno to act like he did a decade ago. Signing Cespedes would not be a mistake. Not helping Mike Trout out for the next 5 years while you have him would be.
Billy Eppler and Arte Moreno really need to evaluate how much the 2016 Angels are going to need offense. Easily the worst bench in 2015, coupled with the loss of David Freese so far (and the injury to Albert Pujols keeping him out for the month), the club has not addressed the weaknesses they have at C/LF and 2B slots in the upcoming year. I am afraid they must sign Cespedes (or at least upgrade at one of said position) otherwise they will not be competitive enough in 2016.
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Tagged: A. J. Preller, AL West, albert pujols, Alex Dickerson, alexei ramirez, American league, arte moreno, Billy Eppler, c.j. wilson, chicago white sox, Cory Spangenberg, craig gentry, daniel nava, david freese, david ortiz, derek norris, dodger stadium, houston astros, hunter renfroe, james shields, jered weaver, jon jay, justin upton, kole calhoun, los angeles angels, manny machado, matt kemp, Melvin Upton JR., Mike Trout, new york mets, petco park, Rymer Liriano, san diego padres, seattle mariners, texas rangers, Yangervis Solarte
