Mar. 15, 2012; Surprise, AZ, USA; Oakland Athletics batter Yoenis Cespedes after striking out in the third inning against the Texas Rangers at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-US PRESSWIRE

The Chicago Cubs biggest acquisition this off-season was the Theo Epstein. The new Cubs president of baseball operations in turn hired Jed Hoyer as the team’s new general manager, who brought with him Jason McLeod as the new vice president of scouting and player development. The front office trio then turned their attention to the coaching staff and the player roster. The biggest acquisitions the Cubs made this off-season involved the team saying goodbye to players such as Sean Marshall, Carlos Zambrano, Aramis Ramirez, and Carlos Pena. Gone from the organization is the philosophy that the Cubs, because of their Chicago base, have to live up to their big market label.

Having said that, with Epstein, Hoyer, and McLeod are all familiar with the big market mentality as the trio worked together in the Boston Red Sox front office. The Cubs’ new regime has taken in all the questions from fans and media members regarding the big-ticket item, and despite reports to the contrary, the Cubs never were seriously involved in the Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder sweepstakes.

The one sweepstakes that the Cubs did take part in was the one for Cuban outfielder Yoenis Cespedes. Cespedes was the “big-ticket” item for the Cubs’ this off-season. At one point this winter, Cespedes admitted himself that the Cubs were the team that has shown the most interest him. Nonetheless, Cespedes wound up signing with the Oakland Athletics on a four year deal worth $36 million. But how close were the Cubs to landing Cespedes?

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August 14, 2011; Atlanta, GA, USA; Chicago Cubs left fielder Alfonso Soriano (12) high fives with shortstop Starlin Castro (13) after scoring the game tying run on a wild pitch against the Atlanta Braves during the sixth inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-US PRESSWIRE

The early question in Spring Training that many reporters are asking when they look at the projected Opening Day lineup of the Chicago Cubs is where will the power come from? Gone from the team are first baseman Carlos Pena and third baseman Aramis Ramirez, the two players that provided the most power for the Cubs last season. Pena was replaced with Bryan LaHair at first base, and Ramirez was replaced with former Colorado Rockie Ian Stewart at third base.

Cubbies Crib has already gone into great length talking about what LaHair will bring to the team in 2012, but Stewart has gone unnoticed to a certain degree. Stewart hit below the Mendoza line with no home runs in 2011, but the third baseman has proved that he is capable of hitting 18+ home runs in a season. Nonetheless, considering Stewart will likely be in a semi-platoon with Jeff Baker, the former Rockie may not garner enough at bats to be the Cubs’ main source of power in 2012.

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The Marlins have long been interested in Cespedes, and because of that reason, the team that resides in Miami has been considered as the favorites to sign Cespedes. While the Marlins may have interest in Cespedes, Cespedes may not be interested in Miami?

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