New York Mets Leading Candidate to Bring Back Yoenis Cespedes
Outfielder Yoenis Cespedes could return to the New York Mets – if the contract fits.
Potential impending free agent Yoenis Cespedes could be staying with the New York Mets next year, reported David Lennon of Newsday. According to Newsday’s Marc Carig, Cespedes replied to a comment about fans wanting to see the slugger remain in New York by saying “me, too”. While one cannot put too much emphasis on a two-word response, Lennon notes that Cespedes is much more comfortable on the New York Mets now than one year ago.
Cespedes, who turns 31 years old in one week, signed a deal to stay with the New York Mets last off-season after fellow outfielders Jason Heyward, Justin Upton, and Alex Gordon saturated the market for outfielders. His three-year, $75 million contract contains an opt-out clause for the end of this season, meaning that the slugger could potentially re-enter the market in just a few weeks.
Certainly, this must be an alluring opportunity for a player coming off his second straight 30-homer season. Not only does he bring power, but he hits well for average while walking at a decent rate, although his fielding numbers decreased this season despite their typical excellence. More important for Cespedes’ decision, Jose Bautista and Mark Trumbo would be his prime competition – a stark contrast to last off-season’s star-studded lineup.
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Given the potential contract awaiting the right-handed outfielder, it is highly probable that he forgoes the remaining $47.7 million he’s due in hopes of finding a larger deal. Lennon feels that in such a scenario the Mets could become an interesting target. He states that Cespedes has meshed well with several teammates and that he may look for another creative contract structure if it means prolonging his time in New York.
From the New York Mets’ perspective, retaining Cespedes is certainly attractive at the right price. While they still have an option to consider with Jay Bruce as a power bat in their lineup, a Bruce-Cespedes combination brings a rare grouping of power in today’s game. They may not be fans of long-term deals, but another creative contract structure could get the job done.
Lennon also commented that the San Francisco Giants could make a play for the Cuban due to their offensive struggles. Combining their poor power totals with Angel Pagan’s looming exit compounds the need for an outfielder with a good bat. They have shown a willingness to spend big in the past, and there is always a chance that they try to piece together another World Series run if this year’s postseason endeavors go well.