Moneyball is dead.  I am officially dumbfounded.  The Oakland Athletics signed Cuban free agent Yoenis Cespedes to a 4-year, $36 million contract.  He immediately becomes their highest paid player and he has never played one inning in the major leagues.  What gives?

First I thought, “There must be a huge Cuban population in San Jose”.  Nope.  According to the 2000 Census, the total Cuban population of San Jose was 0.11%.  So, it was not to attract Cubans for the future move to San Jose.

Second, I thought back to an article I wrote on New Year’s Day where I looked at the 2012 Athletics.  The A’s had almost no one left to go see at the park.  They had traded away three of their top pitchers and let a fourth go to free agency.  They allowed one of their top outfielders become a free agent and it looked as if they were starting over with young players and rookies.  In 2011, they had less than 1.5 million in attendance.  They have not had 2 million in attendance since 2005 and have not averaged 30,000 in a game since 1992.  People do not go to games in Oakland.  So, I thought this might be a reason to go to games at Oakland-Alameda County Stadium.  In year one, he will make $6.5 million.  At $20 per ticket, they would have to sell about 300,000 tickets to pay for the salary.  That would be an increase of 20%.  Not happening.  Maybe they would have tremendous jersey sales from Cespedes.  However, they will not.  So, it will not be for the financial rewards.

So why would the Athletics go against everything they have believed in since Moneyball began out west?

Here is why I believe they A’s signed him.  First, it gives the Athletics a power hitter.  Cespedes has been long considered a top power hitter in the Cuban League.  Right away, they will put him in the lineup and see what happens.  Second, there will be people that go to the ballparks to see him play and buy his jerseys.  Money is a possibility.  There could even be a bump in the television or radio ratings, which means money in the long run.  Lastly, if he is a star, expect him to be traded.  Billy Beane will do what he does best, build a talent and trade it for prospects.

As most things that the Athletics do, this signing is a wait and see.  We will wait and watch Cespedes play and see what happens.

Still, I am dumbfounded and confused.