Yoenis Cespedes Rumors: Marlins, Cubs, Nationals, Tigers

One of the more intriguing free-agent* options left on the market is Yoenis Cespedes, the Cuban defector that nobody had heard of until he released that magical video early in the off-season that had a falsetto Christopher Cross singing while Cespedes did baseball things.

*nearly free agent.

Expect that intrigue to heat up now that Prince Fielder is off the market and that Cespedes has established residency in the Dominican Republic. Residency is the first step to being declared a free agent, and it could come any day now. And now that Fielder is off the market, teams that are/were looking at DH/1B/big-bat types could be scrambling for a solution (especially now that the Tigers are likely out).

Here's the latest:

• Twitter / @washingnats - "The #Nats consider Cespedes a corner outfielder, maybe even a first baseman."
• Marlins primed to bid for Cespedes - Joe Frisaro | mlb.com
  "Cuban sensation Yoenis Cespedes is on the verge of becoming a free agent, and the Marlins are expected to make a strong push for the 26-year-old outfielder. Cespedes has established residency in the Dominican Republic, which had kept him in a holding pattern for months. Now, the outfielder is awaiting approval from Major League Baseball to be declared a free agent."

• The Motor City Surprise - Jordan Bastian | mlb.com
  "Yoenis Cespedes, anyone? To me, this would be the best move the Indians could make to show Indians fans they mean business. He’s young, controllable and could be a star in the Majors. He fits within what the Indians are trying to do and is, really, the only thing left on this winter’s market that would send a strong message to the fans. The Indians definitely have interest, but this could turn into a bidding war."
• Yoenis Cespedes Pursued by Tigers, Marlins, Cubs - MLB Daily Dish
  Ken Rosenthal is reporting today that Yoenis Cespedes is being actively tracked by several teams, including the Detroit Tigers, Miami Marlins, and the Chicago Cubs. Jorge Arangure takes issue with Rosenthal's verbiage...
• Yoenis Cespedes Says That Chicago Cubs Lead Pursuit - MLB Daily Dish
  Cuban outfielder Yoenis Cespedes told reporters that the Chicago Cubs are leading the pack for his services.