ESPN’s Adam Rubin reports that outfielder Yoenis Cespedes is highly unlikely to re-sign with the New York Mets. While New York is expected to “moderately pursue” the Cuban outfielder, the club seems to have conceded that his asking price will be out of their reach.
Despite struggling at the plate in the World Series, Cespedes was largely-considered as the best trade acquisition of any team at the July deadline. He was a catalyst for the Mets offense, clubbing 17 home runs in 57 games to help carry New York to its first National League East title since 2006. He played well enough that many mentioned him as a National League MVP candidate despite playing in under 60 games in the senior circuit.
More from Call to the Pen
- Philadelphia Phillies, ready for a stretch run, bomb St. Louis Cardinals
- Philadelphia Phillies: The 4 players on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
- Boston Red Sox fans should be upset over Mookie Betts’ comment
- Analyzing the Boston Red Sox trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen
- 2023 MLB postseason likely to have a strange look without Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals
Even if the Mets elect to completely abstain from bidding on Cespedes (which likely won’t be the case), there will still be more than enough suitors for him to find a nice payday this winter. After Oakland’s collapse post-trading him in 2014, and the Mets surge to the postseason with him on board this summer, Cespedes has become associated with winning. And it’s for good reason. He brings power, speed, plate discipline, a strong glove and a cannon for a throwing arm. And having just turned 30 in October, he has age on his side.
Cespedes has also been fairly consistent over the course of his four-year career, and is coming off his best season yet. In 159 games split between Detroit and New York in 2015, the former All-Star hit 35 home runs, 105 RBIs, 42 doubles and six triples while working 33 walks and stealing seven bases. It’s hard to find a team that wouldn’t want those numbers in left field, and his market value has gone up with teams now considering him an option in center field as well.
The Mets will now find themselves likely looking to replace two of their top bats from their 2015 NL Pennant run, as Cespedes and Daniel Murphy both seem likely to be on new clubs in 2016. While Michael Conforto seems the logical direct replacement for Cespedes, Sandy Alderson will have to look for some reinforcements on the open market if he hopes to repeat the success of this season.
Next: Series Blunders Won't Hurt Murphy's Earning Power
More from Call to the Pen
- Philadelphia Phillies, ready for a stretch run, bomb St. Louis Cardinals
- Philadelphia Phillies: The 4 players on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
- Boston Red Sox fans should be upset over Mookie Betts’ comment
- Analyzing the Boston Red Sox trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen
- 2023 MLB postseason likely to have a strange look without Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals