"Even before he became a YouTube sensation, Cuban outfielder Yoennis Cespedes was on the Pirates' radar.

"He's an interesting player whom we've tracked for a number of years," general manager Neal Huntington said.

In a few days, Cespedes, who defected last year, will establish residency in the Dominican Republic. Major League Baseball then can declare him a free agent and set in motion what likely will be a record-setting bidding war.

Cespedes, 26, has prodigious power and last year broke Cuba's single-season home run record. The speedy center fielder also flashed his defensive skills, arm and linebacker-type physique in a 20-minute video called "The Showcase" that drew thousands of hits on YouTube. Scouts say Cespedes can be major league-ready this season."