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...

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