Yoenis Cespedes Agrees To 4-Year $36 Million Deal With Oakland Athletics

Cuban outfielder Yoenis Cespedes will be playing for the Oakland Athletics after signing a four-year, $36 million deal on Monday.

Oakland managed to beat out the Miami Marlins who also big $36 million but over a six year period.

The only hurdle was receiving his unblocking license from the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control which was expected by Monday. US Treasury clearance was needed because Yoenis is a Cuban national who established residency in another country after defecting.

The outfielders agent Adam Katz said of his players signing:

“At the end of the day with all these big free agents, it comes down to the total package. Sure, money and the economic package had something to do with it. But it’s also about all the surrounding circumstances. And basically, this was a player who felt like this club wanted him more than anybody else.”

Once his worker’s visa is received Cespedes can show up at spring training and begin his work with the Oakland Athletics.

Under his contract Cespedes will receive $6.5 million in his first year of play, $8.5 million in his second year and then $10.5 million during each of his last two years.

Under his deal Cespedes will become the highest paid player on the Oakland roster, currently Coco Crisp is the highest paid player at $6 million per season.

Speaking of the teams acquisition Marlins president of baseball operations Larry Beinfest said of losing out on Yoenis:

“You don’t land everybody you want to land. But I think we’ve been aggressive. We’re really happy with the way the club looks. You always have a sense of disappointment when you’re trying to either trade for or sign a player. It’s not the first time and won’t be the last. We would certainly wish him well.”

Do you think Yoenis Cespedes was a smart acquisition by the Oakland Athletics.