According to Adam Rubin of ESPN, the Miami Marlins may be a suitor for Yoenis Cespedes once he opts out of the remaining two years of his contract with the New York Mets.
The Marlins interest should not be all that surprising. Dating back to the days of Livan Hernandez, the Marlins have valued their relationship with Miami’s Cuban community, and they have sought ways to entice the Cuban fans to come to the ballpark.
The Marlins relationship with the Cuban community was one of the major factors in the Marlins decision to fire manager Ozzie Guillen after the 2012 season. In Spring Training, Guillen had spoke glowingly about Fidel Castro, and it was not received well in the community. The Marlins blamed much of the disappointing attendance figures on Guillen’s comments.
In the wake of Jose Fernandez‘s tragic death, the Marlins now find themselves without a Cuban star player with whom the fans can identify with. The Marlins bringing in Cespedes would remedy that. It would also permit them to trade one of their stud outfielders for a pitcher to replace Fernandez. The Marlins have dangled Marcell Ozuna in the past, who built his trade value back up with a good offensive season.
For those who don’t buy the Marlins signing a big free agent away from the Mets, it has happened once before. After the 2011 season, the Marlins moved quickly to sign free agent Jose Reyes to a six-year, $106 million deal with an option for the seventh year.
