Yoenis Cespedes Signs With Jay Z’s Roc Nation

Jay Z’s Roc Nation has announced that they have brought another sports star into their fold: Red Sox outfielder Yoenis Cespedes.

The entertainment company, which represents athletes such as Kevin Durant, CC Sabathia, and Victor Cruz, tweeted the news Monday afternoon that Cespedes was now a Roc Nation client.

Roc Nation welcomes @RedSox’s Yoenis Cespedes (@ynscspds) to the #RocNationSports family! pic.twitter.com/O5twXBCIOE

— Roc Nation (@RocNation) October 20, 2014

Roc Nation made headlines across MLB in April 2013, when then-Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano left prominent sports agent Scott Boras for the company founded by Jay Z. Cano, a free agent last offseason, signed a 10-year, $240 million contract with the Seattle Mariners prior to 2014, then the third largest contract ever handed out by a MLB team.

Cespedes joined the Red Sox at the 2014 trade deadline in the deal that sent Jon Lester and Jonny Gomes to the Oakland A’s. He hit .269 with five home runs and 33 RBIs in 51 games with the Red Sox last year. Cespedes has hit .263 with 71 home runs and 262 RBIs in three MLB seasons. He is also a two-time MLB Home Run Derby champion.

The news that Cespedes is now with Roc Nation could be troubling for those hoping the outfielder is in the Red Sox long-term plans. Cespedes will become a free agent after the 2015 season, and it is likely with Jay Z now in his corner, the cost of keeping Cespedes in Boston could be more than the Red Sox are willing to offer.

The Globe’s Nick Cafardo wrote on Sunday that “Cespedes said late in the season that he wasn’t sure whether he’d engage in long-term talks with the Red Sox” and his “desire not to play right field or work on his defense” could make him a trade candidate for the Red Sox.

The Sox currently have a logjam in the outfield that includes Cespedes, Mookie Betts, Rusney Castillo (who is also represented by Roc Nation), Shane Victorino, Allen Craig, Jackie Bradley Jr., and Daniel Nava.