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It was easy to write 4,000 words on a video as remarkable as the Yoenis Cespedes showcase video that was posted on Sunday night. It took the internet by storm, showed up on Deadspin (among many other places), and basically went viral.

Then it was gone.

It disappeared on Monday afternoon, but luckily, a loyal reader saved it and re-published it on YouTube, where it is quickly approaching 10,000 views. Then, Tuesday morning, a new version of it was put up by Edgar Mercedes, the Dominican-based advisor and president of Born To Play, one of the leading academies in the area. You can see the original here and the edited version here. Gone from the new version is the rap music and the roasting pig, among other things. I emailed Mercedes on Monday, and he got back to me yesterday, offering to speak with me on the phone.

 “We liked the article,” he said, without a hint of sarcasm. “I just wanted scouts to see it. I didn't expect somebody to write 4,000 words about it. I wanted to generate attention for Yoenis, but not like this.”

The first thing I asked Mercedes was why the original video was removed. “Some people were offended by the lyrics, like you wrote,” said Mercedes. “But so many people were offended by the pig,” he expressed, referring to the final shot of Cespedes stoking the fire under a roasting whole pig. “That's part of our culture and part of our community. We roast pigs. I've been to tailgate parties in the United States and seen big pieces of meat on the grill. We just tried to show that he's a family guy and spending time in his backyard with friends and family. We weren't trying to offend anyone.”

Mercedes put the video together himself, “It's just me and the trainers; Wasserman Media had nothing to do with it,” he said, referring to the home of Adam Katz, who will be representing Cespedes in negotiations. “We wanted something new; a player like this has never left Cuba. You make a normal scout video, and people say 'ho-hum.'”

Originally shown at a showcase in the Dominican Republic, Mercedes intended to create something that would allow potential suitors to learn more about Cespedes. “With Cuban players, people don't have access to what they're all about,” Mercedes explained. “You can't talk to them and often can't even watch them practice, and when they're not at the field, they're stuck in their hotels because they are still living in the Cold War.”

Mercedes was also able to explain the emphasis on physical conditioning over video of Cespedes doing what he will ultimately be paid to do: play baseball. “Scouts tell me they've seen 50, maybe 70 at-bats and they know him on the field,” he said. “We wanted to show that he's left Cuba, and he's working harder than he's ever had in his life. We wanted to show that he's in the best shape of his life, because when he first came here, he wasn't.”

Mercedes even took the time to clear up one of the great mysteries of the video—the strange and sudden appearance of former NFL star Ahman Green at the end. To explain, he handed the phone over to Chris Wray, who has been training Cespedes in the Dominican. “Ahman Green is a good friend who was brought down for two weeks to show Yoenis the motivation required to succeed at the highest level,” said Wray. “Yoenis really looks up to him now.”

There's more good news, as Mercedes revealed that Yoenis's mother, Estela, a former star pitcher for the national softball team of Cuba, was with him. “She is so important to him,” expressed Mercedes, who has worked with many Cuban players. “He's the only player I know of that defected with his mother.”

What's next for Cespedes is a series of workouts for big league clubs. “We should have his paperwork taken care of this month, and then Adam Katz can do his work,” said Mercedes. “I'm confident that he'll be in spring training with a major league club.”

Mercedes confirmed that the Marlins are bringing in a large contingent to see Cespedes work out on Thursday and that the Yankees, Red Sox Phillies, Indians, Blue Jays, and Pirates will also be visiting in the coming weeks, with more teams expected to be added to the fray. As for the money aspect, with rumors already starting that he'll easily eclipse Aroldis Chapman's $30 million deal with Cincinnati, Mercedes is coy. “I just arrange the tryouts; Adam takes care of the negotiations.”

And yes, there will be more opportunity for everyone to see Cespedes in action. “There will be more video,” said Mercedes, laughing. “We will put video of the actual workouts up.”

As for the style of video, “Do you want more of my Oscar-winning editing?” joked Mercedes.

Yes, Edgar. Yes, we do.

Thank you for reading

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saigonsam
11/09
Anyone offended by the pig roasting better be a vegetarian. So many Americans never really think about where there food is coming from before it ends up in the supermarket freezer isle.

Very logical explanations for the video.
delatopia
11/09
There was an article some years ago from some froufrou NYC food writer who wanted to get closer to the sources of her food, so she went to the Amazon or somewhere and caught a fish, and they cooked it for her at the (undoubtedly four-star) hotel restaurant, and then she couldn't eat it -- the idea of it made her sick. I don't think it gets any more sanitized and disconnected than that. AND SHE WROTE ABOUT FOOD FOR A LIVING. Unreal.
ofMontreal
11/09
Suburban myth.
eighteen
11/09
A certain segment of society known for the ease in which its undies get bundled has a decidedly unfavorable view of pigs.
raygu1
11/09
what is the correct spelling of his name? I have seen various versions? Is it Cepedes? or Cespedes? Yoenis? Or Yoennis?

thanks
ScottBehson
11/09
Gotta chill if a pig roast offends you. Jeesh. As for the video, I'd say "mission accomplished"- Cepedes is now one of the most well-known prospects out there, and will probably be looked at a little longer by clubs than he otherwise might.
crperry13
11/09
I like eating pig.
jhardman
11/09
Thanks for this follow up. This has sort of a Paul Harvey "Rest Of the Story" feel to it. Would love to know how this negotiation will compare to the one that surrounded Leonys Martin last year. If Martin shoots out of the gate as the Rangers starting CF, will it give the entire Cuban defection process/player negotiations even more media coverage and inflate those salaries even more?
hyprvypr
11/09
Amusing that people were offended by the pig. That is ridiculous of course, as people all over the world eat pork, American's big at that table, and American's routinely roast pig's in this or near-this fashion as well for large parties.
delatopia
11/10
Apostrophe much?
Michael
11/09
Thanks for the follow-up article, Kevin.
mrdannyg
11/09
I like the clarification, but not sure if I'm actually thankful for this article. I think the original video was better unexplained...full of mysteries like pig roasts and Ahman Green references.
canada
11/09
Disagree. The Ahman Green shout-out was killing me! I'm glad the mystery is solved
rreading
11/09
I liked the family dancing, that showed he could fit in America. Drunk-dancing-three somes, I am into it.
ofMontreal
11/09
This is a great follow-up KG. They actually sound like genuine people. It'd br fantastic if you could stay with this thru the eventual signing.
APer930
11/09
Apparently PETA subscribes to BP as well.

I don't see how the Marlins DON'T sign Cespedes. They need a CF and he's a Cuban star! That will sell a bunch of tickets in Miami.
wilymo
11/09
yeah what is this 'cepedes' stuff, get it together
curto
11/09
They should just replace the pig scene with a shot of Cepedes holding up a sign that says "I (heart) bacon." That would make him instantly beloved in the USA.

Time for some breakfast.
Aquila9
11/09
A pig roasting is not something I'm willing to watch. Been a veggie for 36 years.
Of course I'd like to see the Phillies land this guy.
crperry13
11/10
The first step to helping yourself is to admit you have a problem. Way to go, buddy!

:)

(just kidding, of course)
hessshaun
11/09
I am sensitive to sensitive people.
iorg34
11/09
Nice work KG.
choms57
11/10
That video was one of the funniest things I have ever seen. The Ahman Green shout out had me literally in tears, such a great surprise at the end of a great video. Anyway, all the explanations make sense, glad it was clarified.
08cubs
11/10
If the Marlins sign him I hope the contract requires a Christopher Cross postgame concert to be included in their promo series.
Scott44
11/10
Who knew Christopher Cross was such a hit in Cuba!?
smallflowers
11/10
My theory is that the Christopher Cross song is a reference to the way in which Cepedes likely left the island: Sailin'.