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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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Oct 12, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Houston Astros right fielder George Springer (4) celebrates scoring with left fielder Colby Rasmus (28) on an RBI double by shortstop Carlos Correa (not pictured) during the fifth inning against the Kansas City Royals in game four of the ALDS at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 12, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Houston Astros right fielder George Springer (4) celebrates scoring with left fielder Colby Rasmus (28) on an RBI double by shortstop Carlos Correa (not pictured) during the fifth inning against the Kansas City Royals in game four of the ALDS at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports /

Houston Astros

There is no denying that this would perhaps the most fun marriage between player and new home that the winter could yield. Cespedes fits Minute Maid Park like a glove: his over exaggerated hacks through the zone aimed at the short left field porch in Houston could help him string together a few more 30 home run campaigns as well.

After their breakout campaign of last summer, which lead to an impressive victory in the Wild Card game in Yankee Stadium and ended by taking the eventual World Series Champion Royals the distance in the AL Division Series, Houston is positioned as a proverbial ‘one piece away’ candidate for an even deeper postseason run this year. And acquiring a player the caliber of Cespedes fits that bill perfectly.

Granted, Cespedes does not particularly diversify the free-swinging Astros offering, as his 140 strikeouts last year would have checked in as third most on a team that already led the AL in K’s a year ago. Also there is the matter of fit, as Colby Rasmus (and his $15.8 million salary) does not bode well as a platoon option. But for what Cespedes can bring at the heart of a lineup between Carlos Correa and George Springer over the next few years, this is a very enticing possibility.

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