Mets Unlikely To Retain Yoenis Cespedes In Free Agency

Could the Mets final memory of Yoenis Cespedes be him fouling a ball of his knee limping off the field?

According to Adam Rubin of ESPN New York team officials have revealed the team is unlikely to retain Yoenis Cespedes during this winter’s free agency period. Cespedes, 30, is expected to cash in on a huge pay day after a hot second half of the season with the Mets. After New York’s remarkable postseason run the powerful outfielder did however express interest in remaining with New York.

“It’s been an incredible experience,” he said. “A very special experience for me.”

When asked about his future he gave a rather bleak response.

“It’s too early for that. My agent told me that we’ll see what’s going on around December or so. It’s just too early.”

After batting .287 with 14 homers over the course of 57 games with the Mets it is easy to see why teams will be poaching the incumbent Mets outfielder. The overlooked factor in contract negotiations with the Mets may be the weird clause in his contract coming over from Cuba that makes re-signing Cespedes rather difficult.

A
team cannot extend a qualifying offer to a released player under the
collective-bargaining agreement. Nor can it re-sign him as a free agent
until after May 15 of the following year.

This ploy was used by his former agent Adam Katz of the Wasserman Sports Group in order to gain earlier access to free agency. Cespedes is now represented by Roc Nation who landed Robinson Cano a 10 year deal worth 240 million in 2013. Could Cespedes be in for a similar pay day? If so it is unlikely to come from the Mets who are expected to show only moderate interest. Cespedes recently talked to ESPN Deportes reporter Marly Rivera who confirmed the report of him seeking a contract for the duration of at least 6 years.

“My only hope is to stay healthy,” Cespedes said. “I’m not thinking about a contract, but I do know that I will be looking for a contract that is six years or more, has to be six years or more. We’ll see what happens.”