Report: Nationals offer contract to Cespedes

With Justin Upton officially becoming a member of the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday, the market for Yoenis Cespedes - the top free-agent outfielder still available - continues to grow.

Major-league sources told Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports that the Washington Nationals ownership has become intrigued by Cespedes after a push for Upton came up empty, and has made the 30-year-old free agent a contract offer. The offer is reportedly less than the $132.75 million Upton got from the Tigers.

Washington currently has a full outfield with NL MVP Bryce Harper in right, recently acquired speedster Ben Revere and Michael Taylor in center, and Jayson Werth - who is attached to a no-trade clause - in left.

Rosenthal speculates that Revere and Werth could instead share time in the outfield to accommodate signing Cespedes.

Adding Cespedes would not only give the Nationals the most dominant offense in the NL East, but also prevent him from reuniting with the New York Mets, who are still in talks with the slugger that helped them to their first World Series since 2000 last season.

Washington finished behind New York in the NL East, and the club has already made several moves to improve upon a 2015 campaign that saw it finish 83-79. The Nationals have hired a new manager in Dusty Baker, rebuilt their bullpen, and acquired Revere and second baseman in Daniel Murphy (also a former Met).

As many as 10 teams have reportedly been in contact with representatives for Cespedes, who hit .291/.328/.542 with 35 home runs, 105 RBIs, and 6.6 WAR split between the Tigers and Mets last season.