New York Mets: Yoenis Cespedes to play in Dominican Winter League
It has been a very long time since Yeonis Cespedes has spent any length of time on the diamond. The former New York Mets outfielder has all of 50 professional games since the end of the 2017 season as injuries and the pandemic caused havoc on his career. His disappearance after eight games in 2020 did not help either as Cespedes was unable to find another team willing to give him a chance.
Considering that he is going to turn 37 years old in October, it would be easy to imagine that he had quietly retired. Instead, according to Hector Gomez, Cespedes will be playing for Aguilas Cibaenas in the Dominican Winter League.
Former New York Mets outfielder Yoenis Cespedes resurfaces
When last we saw Cespedes, it was for that aforementioned eight game stint. He had missed two years by the point that the 2020 season began and was clearly shaking off the rust as he produced a 68 OPS+ in 34 plate appearances, striking out 15 times. However, Cespedes did hit a pair of homers, showing that the power was still there when he made contact.
It is going to be another two years until he returns to the diamond. The Dominican Winter League will be a potential showcase, allowing Cespedes to prove that he can still contribute in some way. Or, it would drive the point home that, after just eight games in over four years, there is nothing left.
Even if he performs well, it is difficult to imagine a major league team having much interest. Perhaps there would be a team hoping to catch lightning in a bottle, signing him to a minor league deal with an invite to spring training. A deal in a foreign league is much more likely however, allowing Cespedes an avenue to return to the game.
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Former New York Mets outfielder Yoenis Cespedes is returning to the diamond. He is suiting up in the Dominican Winter League for 2022-23.