With some great pomp, the Oakland Athletics signed Cuban outfielder Yoenis Cespedes last winter. He spent nary a day in the minor leagues, and has done some wondrous things.
Yoenis Cespedes Rejoining A’s After DL Stint
Not lately, though; he’s been on the Disabled List since the 7th of May with a hand injury. Until now:
#Athletics reinstate Yoenis Cespedes from the 15-day disabled list.
— Oakland Athletics (@Athletics) June 1, 2012
You think the A’s have missed Cespedes?
The A’s are last in the American League in runs. They’re last in batting average. They’re last in on-base percentage. They’re last in slugging percentage. They’re last in manly swings. They’re just last, generally.
But it’s actually worse than that. According to Danny Knobler, the Athletics’ .210 batting average would set a single-season record, breaking the mark currently held by the 1910 White Sox. And their .288 on-base percentage would be the second-worst for an American League team since the Designated Hitter was introduced in 1973.
Unfortunately, Cespedes isn't Barry Bonds, so he's not going to have a big impact on those numbers. But at this point, any incremental change almost has to help.
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