Found February 14, 2012 on Rant Sports: Yardbarker Blogger Network
The Oakland A’s sent shock waves through the league yesterday when they signed the Cuban outfielder, Yoennis Cespedes. Cespedes, 26, has been playing in the Cuban Leagues since he was a teenager. Cespedes’ numbers in Cuba are impressive, but according to a lot of MLB scouts, Cuba is similar to level-A ball. Nevertheless, when you look at Cespedes’ statistics, you see a player who has the potential to be one of the best sluggers in baseball.  And this is why Billy Beane signed the defector to a four-year deal, totaling 36 million dollars. The only question I have for Beane is why? The A’s aren’t going to compete any time soon, even with a loaded system. The major league talent on the A’s is average at best, and they basically lost every single player that produced for them last season. Gio Gonzalez and Trevor Cahill – their two best pitchers – were traded, along with their closer, Andrew Bailey. They lost Josh Willingham and David DeJes...
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