Red Sox Interest Could Shift From Cespedes to Jorge Soler
Recent Cuban defector Yoennis Cespedes is set to enter free-agency in the MLB and will no doubt create quite a stir in the process. The Red Sox were said to be interested in the international star, but lately his price tag as an unproven talent doesn’t fit the mold in Boston, at least not with what Cherington has been doing lately. Which is why the Sox interest in another Cuban defector, Jorge Soler makes a lot more sense.
According to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe, the Red Sox may prefer Soler to Cespedes, based on a number of reasons. The biggest and most obvious is the outrageous contract that Cespedes will seek once he hits the free-agent market. Early indications from Cafardo have Cespedes asking for more than $30 million over four or five years, with the talk of longer terms being in his demands. Hence the Soler route.
Soler, just 19-years young doesn’t appear to be major league ready, unlike Cespedes. But his price tag will be considerably lower. Jason Churchill of ESPN reports that the Nationals GM, Mike Rizzo believes Soler could garner a contract similar to that of the Texas Rangers’ Cuban defector, Leonys Martin, who got $15 million over five years.
That type of money for a6’3″ slight center fielder who can also roam the corner outfield would be a great deal for Boston. Cespedes is said to be more developed to play left field at Fenway and we all know who currently lives in left. Soler, a right handed bat can play right field, meeting both requirements for the Red Sox. Staying away from another left-handed bat is imperative. Granted he is a few years away from being big league ready, so a chance to groom the youngster in the minors isn’t a bad option to have.
As Churchill points out, because Soler isn’t ready to step into any major league roster means he could get scooped up rather quickly. Of course his party could also wait until Cespedes signs for top dollars before exploring all his options. Regardless, this kid seems like a nice find if the scouting reports are true. With the A’s, Yankees, Marlins, Cubs, Nationals, Rangers and Phillies all said to be interested, this may be one situation that Cherington is best to be proactive rather than reactive.
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