New York Mets Rumors: Long Shot Yoenis Cespdes Resigns?

New York Mets Rumors: Could a return to Queens be in the works for Yoenis Cespedes? It seems unlikely still despite Justin Upton signing with the Detroit Tigers.

The New York Mets are still in the market for a right-handed hitting outfielder that they could possibly use to platoon with Juan Lagares in centerfield. They have added Alejandro De Aza already this offseason, but there is still room for another bat if the Mets would open up their check book.

With Justin Upon signing with the Detroit Tigers on a massive six-year deal, there is one less suitor now for the power hitting Yoenis Cespedes. Cespedes was a driving force in getting the Mets into the postseason and World Series last season, but has been met with a relatively quiet offseason thus far. There have been rumblings about the varying interest of teams, but no one seems willing to commit that long term deal that he desires yet.

Does this open up the door for the possiblity of him re-signing with the Mets this offseason? With a quiet market and one more team out of the running, there is a chance that the Mets could get back into the fray with a short term deal. Not so fast says Marc Craig of Newsday.

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Despite the Tigers handing Upton a mega deal and taking themselves out of the running for Cespedes’ services, Craig believes that the market for Cespedes is still too costly for the Mets liking. The Mets are also not the only team monitoring the situation, as at least five other teams have some varying amount of interest in Cespedes.

According to Craig via industry sources, the Chicago White Sox, Houston Astros, Los Angeles Angels and Washington Nationals are all viewed as possible landing spots. While the Miami Marlins have dropped out of the race, saying they are not interested according to Bob Nightengale, the San Diego Padres have jumped into the mix according to the San Diego Union-Tribune.

While it is tough to believe that Cespedes will land the six-year deal similar to what Upton received that he was looking to get when free agency began Craig said, he also adds, “within the industry, some belief exists that at the very least Cespedes could still land a three- or four-year deal, which would be sweetened by a higher annual average value and a valuable opt-out clause.”

As we have seen with the Upton saga, teams can change directions very quick with their offseason plans depending on how the market goes. There could be a team out there that sees the slowly developing market and pounces on Cespedes with a big deal and opt-out so he can test the market again sooner than later.

If that is the case, the Mets will probably be on the outside looking in. They have no interest in a long-term deal and sweetening the pot on a shorter deal by adding more money does not seem to be in their cards also. A three-year deal with an opt out clause after the first or second year seems to be the best the Mets are willing to offer, but that will probably not stack up to the other offers that he receives.

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While Cespedes had a great run with the Mets late last summer, and quickly became a fan favorite, it is rough to currently predict him returning to Queens. There are too many teams willing to spend more than the Mets, and there has been no sign from Cespedes or his agents that he would be willing to take a short-term deal and hometome discount to return to the Mets.

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