New York Mets Not Expecting Quick Yoenis Cespedes Resolution

The New York Mets sound ready and prepared to wait out the free agency of Yoenis Cespedes.

The New York Mets offseason essentially revolves around one player; free agent outfielder Yoenis Cespedes. The Mets are handcuffed until he makes a decision and signs a contract, as their moves this offseason are tied to whether or not he returns to Queens.

If the Mets are able to retain Cespedes, you can be sure they would step up the aggressiveness in shopping Jay Bruce. The Mets picked up Bruce’s option for the 2017 season, but that does not guarantee that he will be playing for the team next season. The Toronto Blue Jays have already expressed interest in acquiring him should the Mets make him available.

But, if Cespedes does leave, trading Bruce would probably be off the table. The Mets would probably be in the market for a right-handed power bat as well. There aren’t many options on the free agent market that would come close to replicating the impact that Cespedes has on the Mets, so they would like to avoid this situation.

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Whatever Cespedes does decide, the Mets know that it will not be quick. General manager Sandy Alderson believes that the process will take a long time, but that Cespedes does want to return to the team.

"“I think we’re going to have to wait a while to see how this turns out. But he wants to be back. I think we’d like to have him back. But there are certain limits that every team faces and certain realities that every player has to take into account. Some of them are financial. Some are not. We’ll just have to see how it goes.”"

From a financial standpoint, Cespedes is looking to break the bank. He was unable to find a long-term deal last offseason, returning to the Mets on a three-year deal that was essentially a one-year deal. He had another fantastic season, slugging 31 home runs with 86 RBI. He should have no problem landing the multi-year deal he is seeking as he performed once again in 2016. Add in the fact that it is a weak free agent class and Cespedes should hit it rich.

He should have no problem landing the multi-year deal he is seeking as he performed once again in 2016. Add in the fact that it is a weak free agent class and Cespedes should hit it rich.

Alderson and the Mets have had discussions with both Cespedes and his representatives. All of the talks have been positive and it sounds like a reunion between the two sides for a second consecutive offseason is a real possibility.

"“He has texted the organization and indicated his interest in coming back,” Alderson told the team’s radio network. “So there has been communication directly, and not through his agent. Of course, we’ve talked to his agent quite a bit. There’s been an expression of interest on his part, which is positive.”"

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We are still early in the free agent process, but the Mets have a lot of prepping to do. Whether Cespedes returns or not there is plenty of work for the Mets front office to do. Retaining him is the first course of action.

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