MLB Free Agency: The Chicago Cubs Should Sign Yoenis Cespedes and Jorge Soler

The Chicago Cubs made the newest addition of an active 2012 offseason by signing Cuban pitching star Gerardo Concepcion.  It's just another excellent move by new GM Theo Epstein, as he reshapes the Chicago Cubs into future World Series contenders.  Earlier this winter, he traded for emerging third baseman Ian Stewart, top first base prospect Anthony Rizzo and developing lefty starter Travis Wood, while jettisoning problematic former ace Carlos Zambrano.

He should not be done yet.  The Chicago Cubs should make it a trio and sign 2012's other two Cuban stars: Yoenis Cespedes and Jorge Soler.

Yoenis Cespedes is the second international sensation of the winter.  The Texas Rangers signed the first, pitcher Yu Darvish, in January.  Cespedes is a star in Cuba's professional league and has been playing since his teens.  As early as the 2004-05 season, he posted a .313/.402/.540 line.  He has only grown as a player and was Cuba's starting center fielder in the 2009 World Baseball Classic, where he posted a .480/.485/1.000 with a double, three triples, two home runs and five runs in six games.  Last year, he put up a sensational .333/.424/.667 line and became a major star.

Cuba's professional league is not Major League Baseball, but that track record of success is indicative of his potential.  He is very athletic, has a strong build that can fill out even more and hits for power.  The only real negatives are questions about his potential strikeout rate and ability to play center field.  The Chicago Cubs can work with him to improve his contact rates and, since the Cubs have Brett Jackson to man center field in the future, Cespedes' fielding questions at the position are less important for them.  Also, while he will be expensive for a prospect, the $30-40 million it will take to sign him is child's play compared to what impact young talent costs on the free-agent market.  

What is important is that Yoenis Cespedes is a big-time talent and positional talent is exactly what the rebuilding Cubs need: a middle of the order bat who can thrive next to Anthony Rizzo in the Chicago Cub's future lineup.

Jorge Soler is the second Cuban outfielder on the market.  Soler is only 19 years old and not close to major-league ready, but his potential is off the charts.  Some scouts think Soler could become even better than fellow star Yoenis Cespedes, and has power, fielding range and athleticism that compare well to Colorado Rockies star Carlos Gonzalez.  

Regardless of his future MVP potential, Soler is one of the best international talents out there, and the Chicago Cubs should look to sign him.  Even with Yoenis Cespedes in the fold, they will still have a future need in the outfield (Marlon Byrd, David DeJesus and Alfonso Soriano will all be gone by the time Soler would hit the Cubs diamond). Plus, Soler will be even cheaper than Cespedes because he is so young; the two could cost less than $60 million combined in total dollars.    

It's time for the Cubs to make two moves that will help secure their future.  An outfield of Brett Jackson, Yoenis Cespedes and Jorge Soler, to go with Anthony Rizzo at first base and Starlin Castro at shortstop, would be an excellent base of talent for a long-time contender.