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Imrem: Yo, White Sox, let's get this done

Yo, Chicago White Sox, it's time to acquire Yoenis Cespedes.

Instead of chanting “Go! … Go! … Go!” like in a time long ago-go-go, Sox fans could chant “Yo! … Yo! … Yo!”

Speaking of slugging outfielders, Justin Upton just agreed to terms with the Tigers for $132.75 million over six years.

The move should be a message to the Sox: Get better or get beat.

Before the Tigers-Upton news, MLB.com baseball writer Richard Justice had the Sox contending in the tightly packed AL Central.

“If you look at the White Sox a certain way,” he wrote, “it's easy to see them winning this division.”

The problem is that it's also easy to see any of the other four teams win it.

The Sox reportedly have been pursuing Cespedes, whose market value was considered to be at around $90 million over five years.

Maybe that price was too low judging by Upton's contract, but the Sox should pay whatever it takes if they're serious about contending.

After adding third baseman Todd Frazier, second baseman Brett Lawrie and two catchers who couldn't hit worst than Tyler Flowers …

The Sox still need an outfielder like — Yo! — Yoenis Cespedes.

New York Daily News baseball writer John Harper recently wrote this about Cespedes, a free agent who helped the Mets reach the World Series last season:

He is prone to “not taking batting practice, not hustling during games at times and constantly smoking cigarettes between innings.”

Omigod! Cespedes sounds like another Dick Allen, who had an MVP season for the White Sox in 1972.

Allen often skipped batting practice (which would make him perfect for Cubs manager Joe Maddon); he was so smooth it only looked like he wasn't hustling at times; he had vices like most other players but wasn't as inclined to hide them.

Allen had to be managed. Actually, he had to not be managed but be allowed to be himself, quirks and all.

Chuck Tanner, like Allen a product of western Pennsylvania, was the right Sox manager to massage the best from him.

As for Cespedes, acquiring him could put the Sox over the top in the division and maybe even keep the Cubs from burying them in Chicago.

A few other risks accompany Cespedes, which should make any team nervous about signing him.

Cespedes sputtered during the playoffs. The financial commitment would be huge for a franchise like the Sox. He might become disinterested once he has a big, new, long-term contract.

Just one of those factors, or all of them combined, could be of enough concern for the Sox to reject Cespedes.

Yo, Sox, get over it!

Especially don't worry even if Cespedes truly is different and difficult.

The Sox are doomed already if their culture isn't strong enough to keep a new player from polluting the clubhouse.

Maybe the wild card is fellow Cuban player Jose Abreu, a formidable presence who could help keep Cespedes in the right frame of mind.

A big question is whether Sox manager Robin Ventura can earn the respect of a player like Cespedes.

If he can't, the Sox have to start looking for a new manager because that's a huge part of the job these days.

Regardless — Yo! — the White Sox should add Yoenis Cespedes now and worry about the culture and the manager later.

Even after the Tigers added Justin Upton, the AL Central is there for the taking, and the Sox might as well try to take it.

mimrem@dailyherald.com

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