Rumor has it that the bidding war for Yoenis Cespedes, the phenom outfielder and Cuban defector, could begin in the next week. The expectation is that the Tigers, Marlins and Orioles are among the most interested clubs, but until Cespedes establishes residency in the Domincan Republic, we can only guess as to which teams will move to make a deal.

A source told MLB.com that Cespedes' Santo Domingo residency could come as soon as Sunday, at which point he could then petition to MLB to become a free agent, and the frenzy can begin.

Earlier in the winter, talk around baseball was that Cespedes could score a contract worth as much as $50-$60 million, for five or more years. But for whatever reason -- possibly because many MLB clubs have already made their financial commitments for the offseason -- now rumor is that Cespedes' camp could be satisfied with something like four years and $32 million.

You can look at the lower price tag in one of two ways: 1.) maybe now your team has a chance, or 2.) with everyone setting their sights lower, one exuberant club can swoop in and offer up that $50 mil, and sign him away. My guess is he ends up with significantly more than $32 million.

Here's a rundown of the clubs that are potentially interested in rolling the dice with Yoenis Cespedes:

Miami Marlins: The Marlins must be regarded as the favorites at this point, if only because they've made by far the most forceful, direct statements of interest. Marlins president David Samson went on the radio this week and gushed like a 16-year-old girl over Cespedes.

"We think he should be nowhere except Miami," Samson said. "It just makes perfect sense for him to be here ... we have a perfect position for him to play, and it would be great."

Of course, the Marlins have been full of bluster and bullsh*t over most every free agent on the market this winter, but they clearly have both the money to spend and the desire to spend it, and Miami is practically within a stone's throw of Cuba.

Detroit Tigers: Suffice to say that Tigers President Dave Dombrowski has a less effusive style than Samson, or anyone else in the city of Miami for that matter. The Tigers haven't said much on record about Cespedes, but would kill two big birds for the Tigers: upgrade the outfield defense, and give them a good option for a lead off hitter. Detroit was expected to spend this winter, but thus far Octavio Dotel's one-year, $3 million contract is the only one Detroit has given out this winter, and conventional wisdom is that the Tigers have been holding out for Cespedes.

Washington Nationals: The Nationals scored big with the acquisition of Gio Gonzalez, and they appear to be seeking one more addition this winter. Talk of the Nationals going after Prince Fielder has cooled off, but the Nats are still in a position to be aggressive in putting a winner on the field in 2012. Compared to Fielder's enormous contract demands, Cespedes would look like the prudent acquisition.

Baltimore Orioles: New Orioles GM Dan Duquette has been scouring international free agent markets as a strategy for making big talent upgrades without having to pay MLB free agent prices. This is the last offseason in which MLB clubs will be allowed to write blank checks to international free agents, so Duquette may be trying to get while the gettin's good here. Cespedes would look good in the Camden Yards outfield alongside Adam Jones and Nick Markakis, but unless the O's feel certain that anyone will actually show up to watch that fine outfield trio, the price tag may be a bit high.

Chicago Cubs: The Cubs are officially rebuilding, but that doesn't mean they wouldn't shell out for a young, developing outfielder who might turn into a superstar. Still, it would be a surprise to see the Cubs make aggressive contract offers to anyone, not to mention someone as unproven as Cespedes, until they get their house in order.

Chicago White Sox: The Sox have a good history with Cubans, recently welcoming Alexi Ramirez and Dayan Viciedo. But the White Sox, like their north-side neighbors, are in something of a rebuild, and aren't likely to move too fiercely towards adding another contract.

New York Yankees: I put the Yankees on this list not because there's any chance they sign Cespedes, but because they keep being mentioned as a possible player for him. They aren't. At least, it would be a YUGE shock if they went after Yoenis. The Yankees are trying to cut, not add to, their payroll, and whatever money they do spend must be spent on their glaring weakness: starting pitching, not on their outfield, which is in very good shape as is.

Boston Red Sox: The Red Sox aren't interested in Cespedes either, for most of the same reasons as the Yankees. Word is they are much more keen on another younger Cuban defector outfield prospect, 19-year-old Jorge Soler.

Mystery Team: There will definitely be a mystery team getting involved at some point. Who will it be? Well, that's a mystery (duh). A few candidates: Texas Rangers, Seattle Mariners, Toronto Blue Jays.

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[Cespedes still on Marlins' radar]

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