Rumors have circulated over the past couple of days surrounding Mets outfielder Yoenis Cespedes. According to the rumor mill, the New York Mets may be willing to move the Cuban-born outfielder and unload his 2020 salary. It’s highly unlikely, however, that he will be traded, as Cespedes has a full no-trade clause.
Still, it’s fun to wonder what teams should try to acquire Cespedes should he be willing to waive his no-trade clause. With that said, here are three teams that should look at acquiring “La Potencia.”
Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals could use another bat in the outfield, and Cespedes could prove to be an interesting option. Last year, the Cardinals, who went to the NLCS last season, sported an outfield of Marcell Ozuna, Harrison Bader and Dexter Fowler. Ozuna is currently a free agent, while Bader and Fowler had a combined 3.3. fWAR last season.
This could very well mean that the Cardinals could be on the lookout for another bat in the outfield. If the Cardinals are willing to eat most of Cespedes’ contract, he could be a huge boost to a lineup that already has Paul Goldschmidt, Paul DeJong and Kolten Wong.
READ: SHOULD DYLAN CARLSON BE ON YOUR FANTASY RADAR IN 2020?
Rays
This one might be the biggest stretch given the Rays’ tendency to stay away from large contracts due to budgetary reasons. Despite that, Cespedes could be a strong option for a team that already has lost two outfielders this offseason. One of those players that the Rays lost was Tommy Pham, who was traded to the Padres a couple of weeks ago along with infield prospect Jake Cronenworth for Hunter Renfroe and high-upside SS Xavier Edwards.
Renfroe will occupy a spot in the Rays’ outfield this season, but they could still use another outfielder after the loss of Avisail Garcia. Garcia, who signed with the Brewers this week, was an important cog for the Rays last season, as he hit 20 HR’s, along with a .334 wOBA and 112 wRC+. Cespedes could be a nice right-handed replacement for Garcia, if the Rays are willing to take on some additional salary.
Rangers
The Texas Rangers are moving into a new stadium in 2020, and they probably should add some firepower if they’re going to compete in the AL West. The Rangers were a middle of the pack team last season when it came to power (16th in MLB in SLG (.431), 15th in MLB in ISO (.183)). Cespedes could be the Rangers’ answer for that, and give them the right-handed bat they have wanted to get this offseason. The Rangers struck out on Anthony Rendon and may very well lose out on Josh Donaldson, so Cespedes could be a nice pick-up, especially since Nomar Mazara was moved to the White Sox.
Do you think the Mets are shopping Cespedes? Who do you think should try to acquire “La Potencia?” Let us know on our social media channels, and be sure to keep checking out the FH Freeway site for all the latest fantasy tips, news, opinion and reports.
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