Report: Nationals offer Cespedes 5-year deal

The Washington Nationals are said to be engaged in "serious" discussions to sign outfielder Yoenis Cespedes, and reportedly have a five-year contract offer on the table for the coveted free-agent slugger.

Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports that financial terms of the offer remain unknown. According to Jon Heyman of MLB Network, the Nationals are willing to spend around $100 million to secure Cespedes' services.

Heyman also notes that the club is considering extending the payment time frame to include deferred money in an effort to complete the deal. Last winter, the Nationals secured pitcher Max Scherzer with a seven-year, $210-million deal that included nearly half of the money deferred over the next 14 years.

New York Mets general manager Sandy Alderson told reporters this week that his club remains in discussions with Cespedes, but Rosenthal reported Thursday that his former employer is unwilling to offer more than three years.

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 Mets and Detroit Tigers last season.

The market for Cespedes has been slow to develop this offseason despite him not being attached to draft-pick compensation. He's reportedly been seeking a six-year deal worth as much as $22 million per season, but only the Nationals have expressed a willingness to come close to meeting his demands.

The Chicago White Sox are among the clubs believed to have interest in signing the 30-year-old Cuban, though they've reportedly also remained steadfast that they will not go beyond three years to secure him.