UPDATE:
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UPDATE: Here's more suggesting the Nationals' aggressive pursuit of Cespedes:
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Is the race for Yoenis Cespedes finally coming to an end? The latest rumors find the Washington Nationals are interested in the outfielder and they may have an advantage over the other MLB clubs that are in the running.
Washington reportedly made offers to outfielders Jason Heyward and Justin Upton earlier this offseason, but missed out when Heyward signed with the Cubs ($184 million) and Upton with the Tigers ($135.75 million).
Is the third time going to be a charm for the Nationals?
"The exact market for Cespedes remains unclear, but the Nationals are indeed pursuing the slugger, according to major-league sources," writes FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal.
"The team's offer to Cespedes is said to be for less than the Tigers gave Upton. But Nats ownership is intrigued by Cespedes, sources said.
"The Mets and White Sox also remain interested in Cespedes, but only are willing to offer him three-year contracts. The Nats possibly could land Cespedes with a longer deal, assuming no other teams are involved."
It's clear Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo wants to add another veteran outfielder, although the reasons as to why are unclear. The team has Jayson Werth in left (signed through 2017), Michael Taylor (through 2020)/Ben Revere (through 2017) in center and Bryce Harper in right (through 2018).
However, when the Nats were pursuing Heyward back in December, reports suggested if the team signed him then Taylor would become "expendable" despite just finishing up his rookie campaign at 24 years old. That was also before they acquired Revere in a trade with the Blue Jays.
Then again, the Nationals did this last year when they signed Max Scherzer to a $210 million deal. Their rotation was seemingly set for the 2015 season with Jordan Zimmermann, Stephen Strasburg, Doug Fister, Gio Gonzalez and Tanner Roark, but Roark, despite his breakout 2014 campaign, was demoted to the bullpen when Scherzer signed.
Previous rumors have suggested Washington is interested in Cespedes and could look to sign him in order to take two key free agents away from the Mets after already signing Daniel Murphy. As Rosenthal noted, they could be in the best position to do so if they're offering him the long-term deal he wants, being that the other clubs speaking with him are apparently unwilling to go beyond a three-year pact.
Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post says the Nats have enough payroll flexibility to add Cespedes thanks to some money coming off the books at the end of 2015. She also noted the team was interested in the slugger when he first came to the MLB back in 2012. But where would he fit on the current roster?
"Given the acquisition of Revere, the National League's Most Valuable Player in right field, and a clubhouse staple and fan favorite in left, there's no obvious answer," Janes wrote.
"Rizzo covets depth, and finds room for talent to create it. Cespedes is an elite left fielder, but did not show as well in center field. That would likely be his spot in D.C., at least on days Jayson Werth played, too. If Werth needed a rest, Revere could play center and Cespedes left."
That just sounds a bit too complicated. Perhaps Rizzo has some trade plans in mind because having five capable everyday outfielders on an MLB roster isn't exactly a smart way to maximize efficiency - especially in the National League, where there's no designated hitter.