Detroit Tigers Rumors: Yoenis Cespedes Wants to Return to Detroit
By Matt Snyder
Detroit Tigers left fielder Yoenis Cespedes is set to hit free agency at the end of the season — and he’s currently one of the top names being discussed in a potential selloff — but, at the very bottom of an article on David Price, Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports reports that his (i.e. Cespedes’) stated desire is to make Detroit his long-term home.
"Tigers left fielder Cespedes is telling friends that he wants to re-sign with the club – and that he would maintain that desire even if the Tigers traded him and he became a free agent."
It’s very interesting that this statement includes the possibility of him being traded and then returning. Cespedes apparently understands the business side of the sport and that a trade wouldn’t necessarily mean the organization thinks negatively of him.
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It’s also likely a testament to the Tigers’ clubhouse atmosphere. Cespedes has previously played with the Oakland Athletics and Boston Red Sox, yet he’s singling out Detroit as, presumably, the place he has felt most comfortable. Maybe it’s not a surprise, then, that he’s currently on pace to have his best season as a major league player.
A free agent contract for Cespedes is going to cost a lot of money — and he’ll be 30 years old next season — so it’s not automatic that the Tigers will be able to (or will want to) work out a deal, but the organization has to be happy with the production he has provided this season (both offensively and defensively). The Porcello-for-Cespedes trade has been a huge win for the Tigers.
It’s not likely that Cespedes will be looking to give the Tigers much of a discount, but, if this report is accurate, he may favor a return as long as Detroit can match any other offer he receives (or at least come close).
This revelation certainly adds a new twist as we get set to enter the final week before the trade deadline. Will this increase the odds that the Tigers will trade him if they decide to sell? Will this decrease his potential trade value to teams looking to acquire him? Time will tell.
Next: Cubs have expressed interest in David Price