Five teams that must add Yoenis Cespedes now

Sep 10, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; New York Mets left fielder Yoenis Cespedes (52) prepares for an at bat against the Atlanta Braves in the first inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; New York Mets left fielder Yoenis Cespedes (52) prepares for an at bat against the Atlanta Braves in the first inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 10, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; New York Mets left fielder Yoenis Cespedes (52) prepares for an at bat against the Atlanta Braves in the first inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; New York Mets left fielder Yoenis Cespedes (52) prepares for an at bat against the Atlanta Braves in the first inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

Yoenis Cespedes still needs a home.

And then there was one.

After a longer than expected road through the free agent winter, one that saw much of headline action of the hot stove season happen well into the New Year, nearly all of the marquee names on the open market have found homes … with the exception of Yoenis Cespedes.

After both Chris Davis and Justin Upton signed new deals over the past weekend, Cespedes now stands as the lone showcase option on the market. This means that teams that have still have areas where they can improve, but have been resistant to getting into high dollar free agent game, have one final carrot dangling in front of them. A last puzzle piece that can truly reshape the immediate potential of their team.

The question, however, is who will reach for the bait? There is no question about Cespedes’ impact; he is fresh off of a year where set new personal bests in home runs (35), runs batted in (105), doubles (42) and OPS (.870). He even netted a Gold Glove for good measure as well.

But due to his continued high swing and miss rate (141 strikeouts, a more dubious career high), lessening effectiveness as a base stealer (he was caught stealing in five of his 12 attempts) and continued low on-base percentage in comparison to other elite run producers, teams have been hesitant to offer up the type of high-end deal that he rumored to be looking for, which could better the six-year, $132 million that Upton netted.

But regardless of the fact, as the window of opportunity gets smaller and smaller, and the eyes of more owners and general managers turn towards their roster and then back towards Cespedes, and will ultimately cave into adding one of the game’s impact bats.

With a return to the New York Mets seeming unlikely, which team needs to be most urgent in pursuing the final major player on the free agent available? Here is a look at five clubs that need to get in gear and chase after him.

 

Next: Atlanta Braves