Watch a four minute video of Yoennis Cespedes striking out to the sound of vuvuzelas

MLB.com's Bill Ladson reported Saturday night that the Washington Nationals are out of the running for Yoennis Cespedes, which could mean one of two things: 1. They're all in. 2. They're out because the timing isn't right because of the PF Flyer (this according to a person who knows stuff). We'll go with #2.

Speaking of timing: considering that Cespedes conveniently forgot to mention the Nats among his suitors when he talked to the media on Friday, it probably shouldn't be all that surprising. But still strange that the Nats would go out of their way to tell the world they're out, especially considering their ongoing interest in the PF Flyer, and that just two days ago a person who knows stuff told us that Mike Rizzo still had serious interest in Cespedes (although doesn't believe he's Major League ready; would start him in the minors).

This much we know: the timing of the report certainly has nothing to do with Cespedes' underwhelming start in the Dominican Winter League: 1-10 with 5 strikeouts in his first 3 games...apparently he's having trouble with the slider? Anyway, up above is the video of his first Dominican Winter League AB for Aguilas Cibaenas on Thursday, complete with the sound of vuvuzelas.

So the Nats are out on Cespedes. And so, let us now revisit the first and only time Cespedes wore a Curly W:

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Comments

[Michael L.G.]

Wasn't Bill Ladson the guy who a week ago said 99% chance the Nats wouldn't go after Prince Fielder?

I go with your #2 and also agree this guy is nowhere near MLB ready. Things do change quickly though. The Yankees have pulled back without an explanation but maybe just maybe they saw Cespedes in action whiffing in his 1st 3 ABs in the DL. The 3 game stint with the Dominicans has shown in a small sample that he hasn't hit the ball really out of the infield and has been totally overmatched.

All I know is his price is dropping fast. Jim Bowden had him #2 behind only Prince as the Top Free Agent available. OUCH!