The Oakland Athletics stunned the baseball world on Monday as they announced the signing of Cuban defector Yoenis Cespedes to a four year, $36 million contract. The Marlins and Tigers were among the favorites to land the Cuban star, but the A's swooped in almost out of nowhere to land Cespedes.
One of the big questions following this signing is where Cespedes will end up with the team. There has been some thought that he might start the season in the minor leagues, but that has quickly been dispatched with some rumors the A's might be prepared to move Coco Crisp out of Cespedes natural center field.
The A's enter 2012 with a wide open battle for the entire outfield due to Josh Willingham and David DeJesus departing this past offseason. They enter 2012 spring training with numerous outfield options, including:
Yoenis Cespedes
Collin Cowgill
Coco Crisp
Jonny Gomes
Jermaine Mitchell
Josh Reddick
Seth Smith
Michael Taylor
Cowgill was brought over via trade and figured to climb right into the outfield mix, but now the outfield is loaded with competitive talent. It leaves plenty of question marks as the A's head into spring training. Cespedes and Crisp would seem to be the two locks to get most of the outfield playing time, which leaves one spot and some DH time for a sizable group of youngsters and Jonny Gomes.