Mets Rumors: Yoenis Cespedes Expected To Opt-Out
New York Mets Rumors: Yoenis Cespedes plans to opt-out of his contract, potentially leaving a gaping hole in the Mets lineup.
Recent New York Mets rumors are not going to make fans happy. They have been preparing for Yoenis Cespedes‘ decision about his contract for next season. There was hope that he would return, but it looks like the Mets will have to bid for his services against every other team in free agency.
According to Adam Rubin of ESPN New York, Cespedes intends to opt-out of his current contract with the Mets. Sources told ESPN that his representatives will wait until three days after the World Series concludes to make the decision official; there is no incentive to do it earlier.
Cespedes signed a three-year, $75 million deal with the Mets last season. It was a surprising agreement, as the Mets thought they would be outbid for his services. But, Cespedes loved being in New York and waited things out. He and the Mets eventually came to an agreement on that three-year deal, which was essentially a one-year deal.
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Cespedes made $27.5 million for the 2016 season and had the chance to opt-out to become a free agent again this winter. He will be re-entering the free agent pool after the opt-out in hopes of landing a five-year deal, according to Mets officials.
Mets officials are also not optimistic they will retain him this time around. That is part of the reason that the Mets traded for Jay Bruce this past MLB Trade Deadline. Bruce has a $13 million option that the Mets are expected to pick up, and he will be a part of the group to replace Cespedes if he does in fact leave.
While Cespedes has loved his time with the Mets, this could be the last time for him to really cash in as a free agent. At 31-years old, this could be his last big-money contract. He will look to land that deal this summer as he was unable to find a team willing to give him one last summer.
He should find a team willing to give him big money. He proved that the second half of 2015 was no fluke with another strong 2016. Cespedes slashed .280/.354/.530 in 479 at-bats, hitting 31 home runs with 86 RBI.
The Mets need to find a way to retain Cespedes. He has been the heart and soul of that offense since he arrived. Bruce and anyone else they sign may be able to replace his production on the field, but he brings much more than just numbers.
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If they are indeed unable to bring him back, the Mets will at least get some draft pick compensation. They plan on offering him the qualifying offer. If he declines, which will happen in all likelihood, the Mets will receive a draft pick as a result.