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Yoenis Cespedes opts out: 5 potential destinations

By Joshua Sadlock

May 21, 2016; New York City, NY, USA; New York Mets centerfielder Yoenis Cespedes (52) is congratulated by teammates after hitting a two run home run against the Milwaukee Brewers in the sixth inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports
May 21, 2016; New York City, NY, USA; New York Mets centerfielder Yoenis Cespedes (52) is congratulated by teammates after hitting a two run home run against the Milwaukee Brewers in the sixth inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 14, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion hits a single against the Cleveland Indians in the third inning in game one of the 2016 ALCS playoff baseball series at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 14, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion hits a single against the Cleveland Indians in the third inning in game one of the 2016 ALCS playoff baseball series at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Toronto Blue Jays

The Blue Jays have a lot of work to do this winter if they hope to remain at the forefront of American League contenders in 2017 and beyond. Jose Bautista, Edwin Encarnacion, and Michael Saunders all figure to be hotly-pursued by multiple teams around the league. Bautista made it quite clear this spring that his free-agency demands will be large. After leading the AL in RBIs, Encarnacion is also looking at a contract upwards of $20 million per year.

Re-signing Encarnacion should be the first order of business for the Blue Jays. Entering his age-34 season, Encarnacion is a safer bet than the 36-year-old Bautista who showed serious signs of slowing down this season. The Boston Red Sox figure to pursue both as a potential replacement for David Ortiz.

Toronto had a relatively quiet offseason last winter as Mark Shapiro and Ross Atkins took over. Shapiro and Atkins came over from the Cleveland Indians organization, and bring a more measured approach to contracts and trades than former Blue Jays executive Alex Anthopoulos, who put the baseball world on its ear by trading for Troy Tulowitzki and David Price at the 2015 trade deadline and turning the Blue Jays into instant contenders. Anthopoulos also signed Russell Martin to an $82-million deal that will pay the catcher $20 million in his age-36 season.

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Shapiro and Atkins made little effort to re-sign Price last year, but were rumored to be in on Chris Davis before his deal with the Orioles materialized. It’s hard to envision the Blue Jays contending without Bautista and Encarnacion unless a suitable replacement is signed. At 31 years old, Cespedes is a safer investment than both Toronto free agents, and would provide a replacement for Bautista in the outfield.

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