The Detroit Tigers had some issues last season re-signing their incumbent players to new contracts/extensions, but it appears 2015 could be easier for them. One of their newest acquisitions expressed interest in remaining with the team after this upcoming season.
Outfielder Yoenis Cespedes was acquired from the Boston Red Sox earlier in the offseason in exchange for starter Rick Porcello. Cespedes was traded to the Red Sox at the trade deadline last year, but the team had no room for him in their crowded outfield, especially since the 29-year-old is owed $10.5 million in 2015. He'll now play left field for Detroit and has seemed to fit right in during spring training.
"It's been a great transition," he told reporters over the weekend via Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press. "I already felt good when I initially got traded and now being here, being with the best batter in the league, I feel comfortable and I know it will only get better."
But that wasn't all ...
"I would like to be in a Tigers uniform for a lot of years," he said when asked if he would consider playing for the Tigers beyond 2015. "This is a good team now and will be for a lot of years to come. Every major league player wants the ring and with this team, you really have a good chance."
Cespedes said he was unsure whether his agent has spoken to the Tigers about such a possibility, and it's unknown if the Tigers were ever interested in a long-term relationship, but it's likely something that appeals to general manager Dave Dombrowski considering Cespedes' success in the MLB over the past three seasons. His powerful bat will be joining a lineup that consists of Miguel Cabrera, Victor Martinez, Ian Kinsler and others, who guided the Tigers to the second best offense in the league last season.
Detroit was unable to re-sign Max Scherzer and Torii Hunter this offseason and also failed to ensure David Price remained with the team beyond 2015. The two sides avoided arbitration with a lucrative one-year deal, but there's still hope in signing the left-hander to an extension because he also said he was open to potentially staying with Detroit.
Keeping Cespedes for a few more years would provide stability in the outfield and give the offense another established major league bat. Depending on Yespedes' performance early on in 2015, the Tigers could jump on this opportunity fairly quickly.
