Five teams that must add Yoenis Cespedes now

Atlanta Braves

It may seem like an odd mix that the Braves, who have gone full out fire sale for the better part of two years, would be interested in adding a costly option like Cespedes, but then again there is some logic to the proposition as well.

Currently they have little to nothing of substantial run producing power in the middle of their lineup. Even Freddie Freeman is not what one would call a traditional source of pure thump in the order, as he has not topped 20 home runs in the past two years. On the other hand, Cespedes is yet to post a year where he has finished south of 22, and is coming off a 35 homer campaign, the majority of which came in the National League East. So comfort versus the pitchers he will face is not an issue either.

There is also the matter of fit. While Edgar Inciarte and Nick Markakis are firmly in place in center and right field, respectively, left field is still somewhat of a toss-up. Michael Bourn is currently penciled into left, with rotation options such as Nick Swisher and Kelly Johnson offer back up support, but in all honestly no parts of that trio should be relied on as an everyday option for too.

Cespedes offers a fit from the perspective of tools, lineup fit and an upgrade need. Now it is just about if the Atlanta front office is willing to send the signal that the rebuild period is over, which is what a deal in the range of $22 million annually surely indicates.

Next: Chicago White Sox