Cuban defector and five-tool outfielder Yoenis (or Yoennis? thoughts on that Topps?) Cespedes signed with the Oakland A’s for 4 years and $36 million. Although he’s a free agent at the end of the contract, it caught some folks by surprize. It shouldn’t have:

• Cespedes, tired of the haggling just decided to go in alphabetical order by team nickname. (Unfortunately for the Angels his list had “A’s” and not “Athletics.”)
• Before he defected to the Dominican Republic Cuba was showing the 1988 MLB season - without explaining it wasn’t live. Cespedes is excited to become the 3rd Bash Brother
• In a misunderstanding Cespedes thought the A’s had Cocoa Krispies in the clubhouse. Awkward.
• Cespedes loves elephants; especially white ones.
• Moneyball was released in Cuba in 2011. He is jazzed to play with Jason Giambi, Kevin Youkilis and Scott Hatteberg. 
• He googled “reasons to move to Oakland.” Found this site. Deal cinched.
• Cespedes hobby is the development of semi-conductors and nanotechnology. Excited about the A’s move to San Jose.
• Wants to exert his tremendous political and social influence in helping to re-ignite the Occupy Oakland movement. He also hates Mayor Jean Quan.

So let’s back off. The Yoenis Cespedes era begins this spring in Oakland and he’s darn happy about it.

(Image is copyright of Topps Co. and courtesy of beckett.com)

-ə