PLAYING TIME: The Cespedes Signing and the Oakland OF

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Athletics sign Cespedes

On February 13, Oakland signed Yoenis Céspedes (OF, OAK) to a four-year $36M contract. The move comes less than one month after the trade for Seth Smith (OF, OAK). Oakland considers Cespedes a center fielder, though there is much we don't know about how his skills will translate from Cuba to the AL. What we do know is the A's had three projected starting outfielders before the Cespedes signing. Given the size of the team's commitment, one has to assume that Cespedes will get MLB playing time when he's with the club, be it Opening Day or quickly thereafter.  

Playing time expecations will need to be adjusted for the rest. The "pre-Cespedes" starting outfield was projected as Coco Crisp...

Almost!

You’re just a few clicks away from accessing this feature and hundreds more throughout the year that have a singular goal in mind: Winning your league. Subscribe to BaseballHQ.com here!

Already a subscriber? Sign in here

More From PT Today

With Logan Webb heading to the IL, Trevor McDonald re-enters the Giants rotation. Plus Snell and Barger return, Bradley injured, and PT implications of the SF-CLE trade.
May 10 2026 8:10am
Arizona promoted top OF prospect Ryan Waldschmidt; plus playing time implications of Ragans, Glasnow and Povich to the IL, and more.
May 9 2026 9:15am
Bad news for Ragans and Estevez in KC; Lodolo finally joining CIN rotation; Spencer Jones and Robbie Snelling highlight impact callups for the weekend; and more...
May 8 2026 8:16am
Carlos Correa is the latest core Astro to succumb to a major injury. Plus Torres and Boyd hit the IL, Imai will return out of necessity, and more.
May 7 2026 8:57am
Just as Jhoan Duran returns for the Phillies, the Reds get bad news on Emilio Pagán. Plus a slew of activations, cuts and injuries and the playing time implications of it all.
May 6 2026 9:03am

Tools