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New York Mets Rumors: Yoenis Cespedes Discussing 3-year Deal

By Christian Kouroupakis

Oct 30, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; New York Mets center fielder Yoenis Cespedes drives in a run with a sacrifice fly against the Kansas City Royals in the 6th inning in game three of the World Series at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 30, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; New York Mets center fielder Yoenis Cespedes drives in a run with a sacrifice fly against the Kansas City Royals in the 6th inning in game three of the World Series at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /
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Recent New York Mets rumors are about Yoenis Cespedes and the team discussing a three-year deal that would include an opt-out clause after the first season.

There is a benefit to both parties with this offer. The three-year offer including a one year opt out would give Cespedes the ability to test the market again next fall, when the free-agent class is expected to be thin. If the heart and soul of the Mets 2015 playoff run proves last season was not a fluke, there will be more interest in the slugger then there was this winter.

For New York, this kind of contract would allow them to avoid a long-term commitment to Cespedes, whose representatives had tried to get a five or six year deal. Cespedes is also in contact with the Mets division rival, the Washington Nationals, who have reportedly offered him a five-year, $100 million offer.

Cespedes has went on record saying he truly loved playing in New York, but has also expressed the desire to make money this off-season. This would explain why he is contemplating  a three-year deal with the Mets against a five-year deal with the Nationals.

What deal should he go with? New York makes sense.

He’s been with four teams over the last 18 months but put together his greatest season in 2015. In 159 total games last season, the 30-year-old Cespedes hit .291/.328/.542, 137 OPS+ with 42 doubles, 35 home runs and 105 RBI. For those who love the WAR statistic, Cespedes had a 5.6 WAR total from 2013-14 and a 6.3 WAR in 2015.

It’s pretty clear that he wants to remain a Met, if not then he would have just taken the Nationals offer and ran with it since no other team has come even close to making him a legitimate offer. The Orioles made a five-year offer worth $90 million, but their offer was arguably done to put pressure on Chris Davis to re-sign, as Baltimore had no need to sign Cespedes.

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If I’m Yoenis’ agent I would highly recommend him return to Queens. It’s a win-win for both sides. It not only makes sense to return to a city which he loves, but to stay with a team who is ready to win now and could easily be a contender for the next few years? It’s a no brainer.

If the Mets were willing to go from a one-year deal into a three-year deal for Cespedes, then there’s no reason why they can’t go from a three-year deal into a four or five year deal. The two teams will meet today to discuss the deal. For now, we can only sit and wait on what has been a roller coaster of an off season.

I expect Yoenis Cespedes to find his team this weekend, but he has to choose whether he wants the money, or wants to stay with the fans and the city he loves competing for the franchise’s third World Series Title.

Related Story: Antonio Bastardo Signing

At the end of the day, the Mets NEED to swallow their pride and figure out a way to keep Cespedes in New York for the next few years, because it would be what’s best for both sides.

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