MLB Free Agency: Analyzing Yoenis Cespedes' Top 6 Suitors

With Prince Fielder seen as the lone impact bat left on the free agent market, a lot of focus has turned to Yoenis Cespedes' impending free agency.

Cespedes, who became an Internet sensation with his scouting/promotional video, has been a hot topic since announcing his intent to play Major League Baseball in 2012 and beyond. Many scouts consider Cespedes MLB-ready today, and it is presumed that any team that signs him will offer him a major league contract and roster spot.

Cespedes is a five-tool talent who holds the single-season home run record for the Cuban Baseball League and should post solid numbers in the majors.

On January 13th, Dionisio Soldevila of the Associated Press tweeted (in Spanish) Cespedes' top six suitors, according to Cespedes himself.

Without further ado, here is Cespedes' list, in the order he listed.

Miami Marlins

The biggest spenders of this offseason, the Miami Marlins have been connected to seemingly every big-name free agent. Cespedes is no exception.

After failing to land Albert Pujols, Marlins team president David Samson recently said that the Miami will make an aggressive push to sign Cespedes. Suddenly overflowing with cash to spend, the Marlins have proven they're not bluffing in free agency, having already brought in Jose Reyes, Heath Bell and Mark Buehrle. The Marlins also reportedly outbid the Angels on Albert Pujols, and were rumored to be willing to make a $100 million commitment to C.J. Wilson. Wilson himself admitted that he would be a Marlin "if it were just about money".

The Marlins have easily established that with a new name, ballpark and jerseys in hand, they're not messing around. Signing Cespedes would hardly shock anyone.

2012 Outlook: Signing Cespedes would likely signal the end to Chris Coghlan's career as a Marlin. The 2009 Rookie Of The Year struggled in 2011, having learned his third different position in shifting to center field. A former feel-good player, the natural second baseman could be on the move and had cheap if Cespedes is signed by Miami. Cespedes would presumably take over as Miami's everyday center fielder.

Chicago Cubs

With a new front office and field staff in place, the Cubs new leadership is looking to get younger. New team president, Theo Epstein, and general manager, Jed Hoyer, have already made a number of moves. Trading set-up man Sean Marshall for starter Travis Wood and two prospects, trading for Colorado's Ian Stewart, sending out Carlos Zambrano for young starter Chris Volstad and sending out Andrew Cashner for top first base prospect Anthony Rizzo, the new-look Cubs mean business.

The mantra of the new front office is simple: youth, athleticism, team control. The Cubs have the money to spend, and with the team finally out of any speculation for Prince Fielder, Cespedes might just be their big money signing. To date, the Cubs have signed two free agents this off-season: outfielder David DeJesus and, recently, starter Paul Maholm.

Cespedes would bring a five-tool player just entering his prime to a team who lacks future impact players throughout the system.

2012 Outlook: Signing Cespedes would presumably lead to the trade of either center fielder Marlon Byrd or left fielder Alfonso Soriano before the beginning of spring training. Cespedes would take over in either center or left, depending on who gets traded first. If Soriano is traded, then Cespedes would likely start in left. If one of prospects Brett Jackson, Tony Campana or Dave Sappelt is ready in midseason, Byrd, who is in a contract year, would likely be dealt. Cespedes would slide into the heart of the Cubs order in 2012.

Chicago White Sox

Going across town, the White Sox are the next on Cespedes' list. Also with a new manager, the White Sox could easily use Cespedes' services.

With the White Sox, Cespedes could see himself stay in center and have Alex Rios shift back to right field, or Cespedes could see himself in right. With the departure of Carlos Quentin via trade to San Diego, the signing of Cespedes could help mitigate that loss.

The Sox have had success with Cuban defectors in the past, with Jose Contreras, Alexi Ramirez and Dayan Viciedo. Vicideo and Ramirez are currently penciled into the starting lineup for the 2012 White Sox, and the comfort level of having two of his countrymen in the lineup and clubhouse could be a factor in Cespedes signing with the White Sox.

2012 Outlook: Cespedes could find himself manning center field on a team that has always seemed to need a center fielder. Alex Rios could find himself splitting time, as fellow Cuban slugger Dayan Vicideo looks to be the starting right fielder for the Sox in 2012. Cespedes would presumably step in full-time for the White Sox.

Baltimore Orioles

Only the second team on the list in which Cespedes' outfield spot would be clearly defined, the Baltimore Orioles could add the Cuban to complete a very formidable outfield. Cespedes would slot into left field, joining center fielder Adam Jones and right fielder Nick Markakis patrolling the outfield in Camden Yards.

The move would bump underachiever Nolan Reimold from the starting lineup and add some more firepower to the Orioles' offense. With the departure of Luke Scott, Cespedes' power would be a welcomed addition to Baltimore's lineup. Cespedes could also be a solid insurance policy should the O's find themselves unable to agree upon a long-term extension with Jones.

2012 Outlook: Cespedes would give the Orioles a second five-tool outfielder with Jones. If Markakis can right the ship, and the starting pitching performs solidly, the O's could turn some heads in 2012. Cespedes would become the Orioles starting left fielder, adding another core piece for an eventual run at the beasts of the A.L. East.

Detroit Tigers

Much like with the division rival White Sox, Cespedes would be seen as a way to mitigate the departure of a slugging right fielder. With Maggio Ordonez's fractured ankle seemingly out the door for the Tigers, Cespedes would take the slugging right-handed spot in the lineup for the Tigers.

Cespedes again would not man his natural center field, rather manning a corner outfield spot, with Brennan Boesch taking the other one. The move could also see Detroit trading Delmon Young, who would seem to be squeezed out of the lineup with Cespedes becoming a Tiger.

2012 Outlook: Cespedes would become a corner outfielder, likely hitting somewhat down in the Tigers' lineup. With Austin Jackson, Miguel Cabrera and Victor Martinez already in place, Cespedes would have less pressure and more protection on offense in Detroit than with any of the other teams listed. The Tigers are the most competitive team right now, and this could influence his decision.

Cleveland Indians

The Indians are the final team on Cespedes' list, and they are one of the more difficult to figure out entries. Yes, their lineup is very left-handed at the moment, but there's no clear spot for Cespedes.

With Michael Brantley in left, Grady Sizemore in center and Shin-Soo Choo in right, the Indians have a complete starting outfield. Add in Travis Hafner at DH, and there's no natural fit for Cespedes without some pieces shuffling.

Brantley does have experience at first base from his time in the Brewers minor league system, and could move to first to either start there or platoon with Matt LaPorta, who has fallen out of favor in Cleveland. Cespedes could also provide insurance in case Sizemore finds himself injured again.

2012 Outlook: Cespedes' right-handed bat would provide balance for the Indians. Finding a spot for him to play is tricky, but there's little doubt in my mind that Cleveland would find a way to get him out there in an everyday role.

Other Teams

Fox Sports' John Paul Morosi blogged that the Yankees, Phillies, Blue Jays, Rangers and Nationals are all somewhat in on Cespedes. While only the Blue Jays and Nationals have clear fits for Cespedes, every team would seemingly find a way to fit the Cuban defector into their lineup.

Philadelphia is an interesting fit. With a core presumably in place for a few more years of contention, signing Cespedes could make top prospect Domonic Brown available via trade to fill other needs as they pop up.

The Yankees could sign Cespedes to take over in right field and deal Nick Swisher.

The Rangers interest could simply be in Cespedes in a fourth outfielder/DH role, even with the departure of Endy Chavez. Top prospect Leonys Martin and current major leaguers Craig Genry and Julio Borbon are all able to play center.

Both Toronto and Washington would hand Cespedes the Opening Day job in center field as an upgrade over their current situations.

All in all, Cespedes is a very intriguing player who will draw a lot of attention in 2012, whenever he signs.