Report: Yoenis Cespedes Wants To Be A Detroit Tiger In 2016, Even If He's Traded
By Dan Jenkins
@DanTJenkins
Every fan in Metro Detroit has an opinion on whether or not the Detroit Tigers should be buyers or sellers at the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline.
Even if president Dave Dombroski elects to sell some of the team's assets -- like outfielder Yoenis Cespedes -- they may not be out of luck in 2016.
According to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, Cespedes is determined to stay with the Tigers beyond this season, whether he's traded or not.
"Tigers left fielder Cespedes is telling friends that he wants to re-sign with the club – and that he would maintain that desire even if the Tigers traded him and he became a free agent.
Either way, Cespedes would not be tied to a draft pick. His original contract with the A's stipulated that his team must release him rather than offer him salary arbitration. A team cannot extend a qualifying offer to such a player."
Cespedes is having a bounce-back season after spending time with the Oakland Athletics and the Boston Red Sox in 2014. He's batting .291 with 14 home runs and 54 RBIs in 95 games this season.
The Tigers traded starting pitcher Rick Porcello to the Red Sox to acquire Cespedes and relief pitcher Alex Wilson during the 2014 Winter Meetings.
