MLB rumors: Nationals interested in Yoenis Cespedes

The Nationals are reportedly interested in Yoenis Cespedes.

With the big names of the free-agent market signing to various teams, there is still one big name that remains unsigned: Yoenis Cespedes.  The right-handed slugger with a rocket for an arm is rumored to be receiving some new found interest from the Washington Nationals.

The Nationals may be interested in Cespedes to bolster their outfield, joining Bryce Harper, Jayson Werth, and recently-acquired Ben Revere.  Adding Cespedes would allow the Nationals to rest their left-handed batters when facing a lefty pitcher, whether that be Harper or Revere. Or it could be the sign that Werth is on his way out of D.C.  Werth, who is six years older than Cespedes, hit .221 in just 88 games after injuring his wrist.

It would also allow the team to have a very dynamic outfield when they put Harper, Revere, and Cespedes together.  The Gold Glove winning outfielder would be an improvement on defense over Werth as well.  Adding Cespedes’ 35 home runs, 105 RBI and .291 average would fit quite nicely in the batting order to protect Harper who was second in the NL for intentional walks.  

Other possible destinations for Cespedes could be the New York Mets or the Chicago White Sox.  The Mets were unable to reach an agreement with second baseman Daniel Murphy this offseason, who signed with the Nationals. The White Sox have a younger outfield and could use a veteran like Cespedes.

This rumor could have some foundation to it with the Nationals going all in on a championship campaign this year.  But the fit that seems more likely is with the White Sox.  The availability for Cespedes to be a DH and the team could be the difference maker. The Sox have a solid core of players who are contractually with the team until 2017. And when all Cespedes needs to do some days is walk up the the plate instead of running down fly balls on the warning track it may be the bonus he is looking for.