According to an American League source (via The Sun Sentinel), the Miami Marlins have emerged as the front-runner for the services of Cuban outfielder Yoenis Cespedes.
Cespedes arrived in Miami Tuesday and is expected to meet with the team Wednesday.
Cespedes is expected to meet with club officials Wednesday. Though the U.S. Treasury’s Department of Foreign Assets Control must unblock Cespedes before he can play professionally here, he is able to negotiate and come to terms with the club of his choosing. Team President David Samson last week said they were aggressively negotiating with Adam Katz, Cespedes agent from the Wasserman Media Group.
An AL source further said that the Marlins have the inside track on Cespedes and are prepared to outbid any of the other potential suitors including the Chicago Cubs, Detroit Tigers and Chicago White Sox.
Despite signing Prince Fielder to a large contract, Tigers president Dave Dombrowski indicated last week that the Tigers are still interested in Cespedes.
Cespedes, who is seen as the best player to come out of Cuba in many years may receive a contract in upwards of $35 million dollars however at times it was said he could get one closer to $50 million dollars.
Jason Katz of the MLB Network believes that Cespedes will be ready to go with a team for the beginning of Spring Training.
Ref: Sun Sentinel, MLB Network, CBC (image)