New York Mets: Cespedes’ latest injury may help Amazins
By Ed Stein
For the last two-plus seasons it’s been Yoenis Cespedes’ world and the New York Mets were just living in it. His latest injury may just help the team in several ways.
The news came down on Monday that New York Mets outfielder Yoenis Cespedes is hurt once again. Already on the injured list after surgery on both his heels last season the oft-injured Cespedes suffered a violent fall at his Port St. Lucie, Florida ranch. The result is multiple fractures to his right ankle.
There are no more details other than the swelling is too bad to get an accurate timeline for any type of rehabilitation. No one but Cespedes knows what actually happened to cause the fall. He would be crazy to tell anyone for fear it could void the remainder of the four-year, $110M contract he signed in November of 2016.
Insurance money
His injury could actually help the budget hampered Mets this season and beyond. First of all, as per team policy, his contract is insured. According to sportrac.com, Cespedes is due to make $29M in 2019. That means the Mets should get back 75 percent or a bit over $20M (give or take any deductibles). That’s money they can use to shore up some weak spots on the roster.
For example, the bullpen needed help before Seth Lugo went on the IL Monday with soreness in his pitching shoulder. Jeurys Familia was supposed to be the eighth inning setup man for closer Edwin Diaz. He’s been awful so far, posting a 6.50 ERA and 1.89 WHIP in 18 appearances this season. Craig Kimbrel who saved 42 games for the World Champion Red Sox last season is still a free agent and could fill the setup role nicely.
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Speaking of free agents, 31-year-old former Cy Young winner Dallas Keuchel is available as well. Fifth starter Jason Vargas was on thin ice before he went on the IL. Additionally, Steven Matz just came back from his injury but only lasted 3.2 innings in his return last week. Keuchel would be a welcome addition to the starting rotation.
Void contract
I admit I was one of the New York Mets fans who wanted Cespedes re-signed when his last contract expired after the 2016 season. Had he been fully healthy for even half the time, his production might have justified the money. Now like most of Amazins Nation, I’m over him. I never expected him to be a contributor this season anyway.
In addition, enough of the Wilpon’s crying poor and complaining about Cespedes’ contract. They may actually have an out now. Ken Davidoff had an article in the New York Post that lists behaviors that could void a Mets contract. If the team can prove he violated the terms of the deal, they will likely pursue their legal options.
There is somewhat of an ironic twist, however, it could cost Mets GM Brodie Van Wagenen money out of his own pocket to do so.
If the Mets go after Cespedes' contract, I was told it's not out of the realm of possibility - depending on how the agreement is written - that Cespedes' agent from the deal would have to forfeit part of his commission. That agent would be Brodie Van Wagenen.
— Mike Puma (@NYPost_Mets) May 20, 2019
Should they prevail, the New York Mets would have an additional $29.5M in 2020. At this point, the Amazins need to hire Thomas Magnum Jim Rockford, Sam Spade, or whatever good private detective they can find to get to the bottom of this situation. It’s time to get rid of the albatross known as Yoenis Cespedes.
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