Fansided

Five teams that must add Yoenis Cespedes now

By Matt Whitener

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 23, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Chicago White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu (79) tosses his helmet after striking out in the sixth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 23, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Chicago White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu (79) tosses his helmet after striking out in the sixth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

Chicago White Sox

White Sox finished a disappointing 76-86 last season after an expensive offseason of acquisitions. Much of this can be credited to an offense that underwhelmed as a unit, finishing last in the American League in runs scored, home runs, total bases and OPS.

While the moves to acquire both Todd Frazier and Brett Lawrie certainly were progressive in turning around their stagnant offense, finishing off their affairs with Cespedes could propel them firmly past the even the middle tier of AL offenses and make them a potential force.

And due to the fact that they are in a division with two rotations in Kansas City and Cleveland that finished second and third, respectively, in team ERA a year ago. And in the fact the Tigers added Jordan Zimmermann and Mike Pelfrey to boost its struggling staff during the offseason, and the more offensive options Chicago can acquire, the better.

The AL Central has also been home to a pair of the other marquee corner outfielders on free agent landscape this winter, with Alex Gordon returning to the Royals, and more recently, Justin Upton signing on in Detroit. There is the element of keeping up with the curve that should be respected here from the Chicago brass as well. And in landing Cespedes, it could be fair to say that the White Sox would be contenders to have ‘won’ the divisional offseason.

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