Hot Stove: - Yoenis Cespedes, C.J. Wilson, Matt Kemp, Michel Hernandez, Atlanta Braves

Yoenis Cespedes - Salary Command: IFA from Cuba could sign a deal similar to the one Aroldis Chapman received a few seasons ago.  Hypothetical Deal: 6 yrs; $35-$40 million dollars  Lost Compensation: None - Plus: The YouTube wonder has hit the stage and made everyone drool watching him and his abundance of tools.  He has shown power production and in limited international exposure the ability to become a five tool player.  He shows tremendous bat speed and is highly athletic, enough so that some feel safely about sticking him in center field.  He is just entering his prime and might need a short time adjusting to a major league program.  He has vast upside that can be had without committing the $100 million dollars that would come normally. He would be locked into service time until he is 32 years old and you will get the best years out of him for very cheap.  As much as I hate throwing out comps, I see a bit of Vladimir Guerrero type athletic ability in Cespedes. http://orioles-nation.com/2011/11/14/2012-potential-fa-outfielders

Rangers GM Jon Daniels said this weekend that he has remained in contact with free agent C.J. Wilson. Wilson has already drawn legitimate interest from a number of different major league teams, including the Angels, Nationals, Yankees and Marlins. But the Rangers are keeping tuned in on negotiations and will make an offer when they feel the time is right. Wilson, 30, posted a sparkling 2.94 ERA and 206/74 K/BB ratio in 223 1/3 innings this past year for Texas. He's likely to land a five- or six-year deal. http://www.rotoworld.com/headlines/mlb/345225/baseball-headlines?r=1

Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports that the Dodgers and Matt Kemp are engaging in serious discussions on an eight-year extension worth $160 million. Kemp is currently scheduled to become a free agent after the 2012 season, and the Dodgers want to lock him up long-term before he even gets a whiff of what might be available to him on the open market. $20 million per year over the course of eight years should do the trick. Kemp batted .324 with a .986 OPS, 39 homers, 40 steals and 126 RBI in 161 games this past season. http://www.rotoworld.com/headlines/mlb/345224/baseball-headlines?r=1

The Indians have signed free-agent catcher Michel Hernandez to a Minor League contract for 2012 that includes a non-roster invitation to Spring Training, the club announced on Thursday. Hernandez, 33, originally signed with Cleveland on July 1, hitting a combined .320 with 10 doubles and 26 RBIs in 39 games between Double-A Akron and Triple-A Columbus. The 14-year Minor League veteran has a .263 career Minor League average for various clubs since defecting from Cuba in 1996 and being signed by the Yankees two years later.  http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20111110&content_id=25950978&vkey=news_cle&c_id=cle

Atlanta Braves Offseason agenda: What is the solution when a team expected to make the playoffs has two quality starters miss time with injuries, further taxing an overworked bullpen? And what about when five other core players, many of whom had subpar offensive seasons, combine to miss roughly 200 games because of injuries? General manager Frank Wren believes you get busy cooking on the hot stove. The Braves got rid of their hitting coach, traded righthander Derek Lowe in a salary dump and—in attempt to make room for their younger arms and add offense—are actively shopping promising starter Jair Jurrjens and infielder/outfielder Martin Prado. Atlanta’s offensive production was terrible during the final month, especially in the final week of the regular season.  http://aol.sportingnews.com/mlb/feed/2011-10/hot-stove-league/story/hot-stove-report-atlanta-braves#ixzz1dpchVa6W