"The Marlins lost out on Cuban outfielder Yoenis Cespedes on Monday when the free agent chose the Oakland A's, who offered him a more lucrative contract and a better opportunity to start immediately in the majors.

Cespedes and the A's agreed to a four-year deal worth $36 million, which, in terms of average annual value, surpassed the Marlins' offer of $36 million over six years.

Cespedes also has a better chance of starting out in the majors with the threadbare A's than he would have had with the Marlins."