Mets: Pending free agent Yoenis Cespedes will get $100M, guesses Heyman
The Mets gave Cespedes an opt-out clause he can exercise after this season
Jon Heyman of FanRag guesses that Mets outdielder Yoenis Cespedes will receive a four-year deal worth $100 million this offseason.
Heyman also took stabs at what Neil Walker and Bartolo Colon will receive, which we’ll get to after discussing Yo.
Regarding Cespedes, Heyman cites a source who says there’s “zero chance” he doesn’t exercise the opt-out clause in his contract.
Cespedes, 30, is hitting .288/.358/.557 with 30 HR and 79 RBI in 117 games this season.
He agreed to a three-year deal worth $75 million last offseason.
In 174 games since being traded to the Mets from the Tigers last July 31 in exchange for RHPs Michael Fulmer and Luis Cessa, Cespedes has hit .288/.351/.574 with 47 HR and 123 RBI.
Cespedes recently said he didn’t plan to opt out, later clarifying that he hadn’t yet made up his mind.
The Mets can’t let Cespedes leave via free agency. It’s as simple as that.
There’s an argument to be made that they should’ve already approached Cespedes’ representatives about tacking on two years to his existing deal (maybe they have and it hasn’t leaked). But all that matters is that he remains in Queens beyond 2016.
More from Rising Apple
Cespedes hit the market last offseason and didn’t get the mega offer he sought. And while the outfield market is barren this offseason, there’s no reason to expect anyone to throw more than four or five years at him.
Cespedes would be 35 years old at the end of a potential five-year deal, which was where his highest offer (from the Nationals) maxed out last offseason.
There were many reasons why the Mets vaulted into first place last season and rode that wave to the World Series. It wasn’t Cespedes alone. But he’s a difference-maker and has been one since his arrival last summer.
He isn’t only a difference-maker, though. He loves it in New York, loves the fans, and loves his teammates. And we know this because he’s said it repeatedly.
For the Mets, simply adding two years and $50 million — or even three years and $75 million — on to Cespedes’ existing deal should get it done.
If they don’t, and he leaves, they’ll be much worse off than they are now and the recipients of a public relations disaster. Choose wisely, Sandy and Jeff.
Walker is out for the season after undergoing back surgery
Heyman guessed that Walker would receive a two-year deal worth $24 million.
Walker, who underwent season-ending surgery earlier this month, was acquired from the Pirates this offseason for Jon Niese.
Walker hit .282/.347/.476 with 23 HR in 113 games this season.
The expectation has been that the Mets will extend a one-year qualifying offer to Walker. In the event he signed elsewhere, they would receive a draft pick.
Walker would be 33 years old at the end of a two-year deal, which makes it palatable.
For the Mets, it will come down to whether they think Walker will be healthy next season and/or whether they’d rather roll with their internal options.
Dilson Herrera was traded away for Jay Bruce, but Wilmer Flores and Gavin Cecchini (who could switch from shortstop) remain.
In addition, in the event David Wright is healthy and at third base, Jose Reyes could easily shift over to second base.
It wouldn’t be crazy for the Mets to bring Walker back on a potential two-year deal, but it’s safe to bet they’ll stay the course and extend a qualifying offer.
Colon will turn 44 years old next season
Heyman guesses that Colon will receive a one-year deal worth $12 million.
The 43-year-old has been the only constant in this year’s rotation. He’s posted a 3.27 ERA and 1.21 WHIP in 170.2 innings (29 starts, one relief appearance) this season.
As Matt Harvey and Zack Wheeler have seen their seasons end, Steven Matz and Jacob deGrom have dealt with injuries, and Noah Syndergaard pitched through his own, Colon has been there.
Colon will eventually hit a wall, as every pitcher does, but it’s getting hard to bet against him.
He recently said he’d love to return to the Mets in 2017, and there’s no reason why that shouldn’t be the case.
Yes, Seth Lugo and Robert Gsellman have been tremendous, but regression should be expected from both.
And while Harvey should be back next year and Matz will no longer be dealing with his painful bone spur, there will still be lots of uncertainty.
Besides, everyone loves Tolo. And everyone wants more Tolo Time.
The Mets gave Cespedes an opt-out clause he can exercise after this season
Jon Heyman of FanRag guesses that Mets outdielder Yoenis Cespedes will receive a four-year deal worth $100 million this offseason.
Heyman also took stabs at what Neil Walker and Bartolo Colon will receive, which we’ll get to after discussing Yo.
Regarding Cespedes, Heyman cites a source who says there’s “zero chance” he doesn’t exercise the opt-out clause in his contract.
Cespedes, 30, is hitting .288/.358/.557 with 30 HR and 79 RBI in 117 games this season.
He agreed to a three-year deal worth $75 million last offseason.
In 174 games since being traded to the Mets from the Tigers last July 31 in exchange for RHPs Michael Fulmer and Luis Cessa, Cespedes has hit .288/.351/.574 with 47 HR and 123 RBI.
Cespedes recently said he didn’t plan to opt out, later clarifying that he hadn’t yet made up his mind.
The Mets can’t let Cespedes leave via free agency. It’s as simple as that.
There’s an argument to be made that they should’ve already approached Cespedes’ representatives about tacking on two years to his existing deal (maybe they have and it hasn’t leaked). But all that matters is that he remains in Queens beyond 2016.
More from Rising Apple
Cespedes hit the market last offseason and didn’t get the mega offer he sought. And while the outfield market is barren this offseason, there’s no reason to expect anyone to throw more than four or five years at him.
Cespedes would be 35 years old at the end of a potential five-year deal, which was where his highest offer (from the Nationals) maxed out last offseason.
There were many reasons why the Mets vaulted into first place last season and rode that wave to the World Series. It wasn’t Cespedes alone. But he’s a difference-maker and has been one since his arrival last summer.
He isn’t only a difference-maker, though. He loves it in New York, loves the fans, and loves his teammates. And we know this because he’s said it repeatedly.
For the Mets, simply adding two years and $50 million — or even three years and $75 million — on to Cespedes’ existing deal should get it done.
If they don’t, and he leaves, they’ll be much worse off than they are now and the recipients of a public relations disaster. Choose wisely, Sandy and Jeff.
Walker is out for the season after undergoing back surgery
Heyman guessed that Walker would receive a two-year deal worth $24 million.
Walker, who underwent season-ending surgery earlier this month, was acquired from the Pirates this offseason for Jon Niese.
Walker hit .282/.347/.476 with 23 HR in 113 games this season.
The expectation has been that the Mets will extend a one-year qualifying offer to Walker. In the event he signed elsewhere, they would receive a draft pick.
Walker would be 33 years old at the end of a two-year deal, which makes it palatable.
For the Mets, it will come down to whether they think Walker will be healthy next season and/or whether they’d rather roll with their internal options.
Dilson Herrera was traded away for Jay Bruce, but Wilmer Flores and Gavin Cecchini (who could switch from shortstop) remain.
In addition, in the event David Wright is healthy and at third base, Jose Reyes could easily shift over to second base.
It wouldn’t be crazy for the Mets to bring Walker back on a potential two-year deal, but it’s safe to bet they’ll stay the course and extend a qualifying offer.
Colon will turn 44 years old next season
Heyman guesses that Colon will receive a one-year deal worth $12 million.
The 43-year-old has been the only constant in this year’s rotation. He’s posted a 3.27 ERA and 1.21 WHIP in 170.2 innings (29 starts, one relief appearance) this season.
As Matt Harvey and Zack Wheeler have seen their seasons end, Steven Matz and Jacob deGrom have dealt with injuries, and Noah Syndergaard pitched through his own, Colon has been there.
Colon will eventually hit a wall, as every pitcher does, but it’s getting hard to bet against him.
He recently said he’d love to return to the Mets in 2017, and there’s no reason why that shouldn’t be the case.
Yes, Seth Lugo and Robert Gsellman have been tremendous, but regression should be expected from both.
And while Harvey should be back next year and Matz will no longer be dealing with his painful bone spur, there will still be lots of uncertainty.
Besides, everyone loves Tolo. And everyone wants more Tolo Time.