PLAYING TIME: The Cespedes Signing and the Oakland OF
Feb 15 2012
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
Jonah Heim takes over for Shea Langeliers in Sacramento; Prielipp returns to Minnesota rotation; Lance McCullers DFA'd, and more.
Jul 27 2026 8:29am
Jul 27 2026 8:29am
All the ramifications of the Connelly Early/Curtis Mead trade; J. Soto, Jung, Arrighetti head to the IL; Kurtz and Suárez re-enter lineups, and more.
Jul 26 2026 9:13am
Jul 26 2026 9:13am
Angel Martínez is back from a broken foot; more info on Max Meyer; Juan Soto dealing with calf discomfort, and all the playing time ripples therein.
Jul 25 2026 8:30am
Jul 25 2026 8:30am
José Ramírez was activated off the IL; Bobby Witt Jr. heads to the same and the catching corps thin out in Baltimore.
Jul 23 2026 8:21am
Jul 23 2026 8:21am
Max P. Muncy should see some more time with Joshua Kuroda-Grauer's injury. Flaherty and McDonald also hit the IL; M. Pérez gets another shot in Atlanta.
Jul 22 2026 8:32am
Jul 22 2026 8:32am
