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In a few days, Yoennis Cespedes, who defected last year, will establish residency in the Dominican Republic. Major League Baseball then can declare him a free agent and set in motion what likely will be a record-setting bidding war.

Cespedes, 26, has prodigious power and last year broke Cuba's single-season home run record. The speedy center fielder also flashed his defensive skills, arm and linebacker-type physique in a 20-minute video called "The Showcase" that drew thousands of hits on YouTube. Scouts say Cespedes can be major league-ready this season.

By not coming to live in the United States right away, Cespedes remained ineligible for baseball's amateur draft. Instead, teams must submit bids to his agent, Adam Katz. After the high bid is revealed, teams may increase their offers.

The Pirates are expected to be among the bidders. However, the New York Yankees, Miami Marlins, Toronto Blue Jays and Boston Red Sox are seen as likely frontrunners to sign Cespedes.

The highest contract for a Cuban player is the $30.25-million, six-year deal pitcher Aroldis Chapman got from the Cincinnati Reds in January 2010. At the Winter Meetings last month, several industry insiders predicted Cespedes will top Chapman's mark by at least $20 million — which, as usual, is bad news for the Pirates.

5. Yoennis Cespedes, the latest international sensation

Yoennis Cespedes, the talented Cuban defector, is expected to establish residency in the Dominican Republic and be cleared to play by US officials soon after the New Year. And then he's likely to sign for more than the $30.25 million countryman Aroldis Chapman received from the Reds, according to nearly all of the dozen executives I polled.

The reasons for such a large contract, according to one team official, include a lower injury risk than Chapman, a larger number of interested teams, the new CBA and hype created by YouTube videos showcasing Cespedes' superlative athletic ability.

Baseball officials with expertise in Latin America believe the Yankees, Cubs, Phillies, Blue Jays, Rangers, Tigers, Marlins and White Sox will pursue Cespedes next month. The Nationals can't be ruled out because some scouts believe Cespedes will be a center fielder — a position Washington has been unable to fill for the long term. (Other evaluators believe Cespedes, who possesses a strong throwing arm, is a better fit in right field.)

One scout who has seen Cespedes said he's best suited to hit fifth or sixth, with the expectation that he could hit home runs, collect RBI and steal bases without the scrutiny that would come in the leadoff or cleanup spots. "That way, you don't put added pressure on top of what will come with all the money he gets," the scout said. A relatively low number of scouts view Cespedes as a potential leadoff man.

satyr9 wrote:I can't understand how the Marlins could finally shell out money and not have money saved for this guy unless they're actually worried he'd overshadow their other signings.

I think with the Jays CF and RF situations being what they are, AA will kick the tires, but he's not going to be in the range Cespedes goes far 'cause he's way more needed positionally by other clubs. Not saying I wouldn't like to see him in LF for us thought.

baulderdash77 wrote: He's pretty much a nutjob guys. I'd have serious character concerns. Who would send this out to all 30 teams?

Randle McMurphy wrote:

baulderdash77 wrote: He's pretty much a nutjob guys. I'd have serious character concerns. Who would send this out to all 30 teams?

A baseball player with huge swag. If you're that against that, though, I suppose we can always get rid of Escobar, Bautista, and Lawrie.

baulderdash77 wrote:Here's what we didn't learn about Cespedes:
-Can he hit?
-Can he field?
-Can he throw?
-Is he a good base runner?

baulderdash77 wrote:Did you watch the video? It was about the worst promo video ever produced. If this is him auditioning on his best behavior to get a $40 million contract, sign me up. I'm sure he'll be a total gem of a guy when he gets unimaginable riches. What do you think that every GM in the league thought when they received a hard copy of this video?

Here's what we learned about Cespedes:
-He likes gangster rap
-His family likes to dance and he likes to roast pigs with his buddies.
-He's totally full of himself ("The Talent")
-He's out of touch with reality
-He likes Star Wars
-He takes 7 second gazes at his home runs and then takes 45 seconds to round the bases afterwards
-He can flex his muscles before he does anything
-He can catch fly balls behind his back and throw a lazy toss to the infield
-He might be able to run fast? Can't tell because it's all in slow motion.
-He is pretty strong and can lift heavy weights with terrible form
-He can jump relatively high

Here's what we didn't learn about Cespedes:
-Can he hit?
-Can he field?
-Can he throw?
-Is he a good base runner?

baulderdash77 wrote:

Randle McMurphy wrote:

baulderdash77 wrote: He's pretty much a nutjob guys. I'd have serious character concerns. Who would send this out to all 30 teams?

A baseball player with huge swag. If you're that against that, though, I suppose we can always get rid of Escobar, Bautista, and Lawrie.

Did you watch the video? It was about the worst promo video ever produced. If this is him auditioning on his best behavior to get a $40 million contract, sign me up. I'm sure he'll be a total gem of a guy when he gets unimaginable riches. What do you think that every GM in the league thought when they received a hard copy of this video?

Here's what we learned about Cespedes:
-He likes gangster rap
-His family likes to dance and he likes to roast pigs with his buddies.
-He's totally full of himself ("The Talent")
-He's out of touch with reality
-He likes Star Wars
-He takes 7 second gazes at his home runs and then takes 45 seconds to round the bases afterwards
-He can flex his muscles before he does anything
-He can catch fly balls behind his back and throw a lazy toss to the infield
-He might be able to run fast? Can't tell because it's all in slow motion.
-He is pretty strong and can lift heavy weights with terrible form
-He can jump relatively high

Here's what we didn't learn about Cespedes:
-Can he hit?
-Can he field?
-Can he throw?
-Is he a good base runner?