Things seem to be pointing towards a decision coming soon on who Yoenis Cespedes will sign with, according to one MLB insider I spoke with this evening, and most signs seem to be pointing to the New York Mets.
Apparently after Cespedes reached out to the Mets via text last week to express his desire to come back, it also included the caveat that he wants to agree to a deal sooner rather than later.
Of course that lines up perfectly with Sandy Alderson’s goal, who told reporters at the GM Meetings that he wants a decision before the end of the Winter Meetings early next month.
Another respected reporter, who accurately sourced that the Mets were on the verge of signing Cespedes last January before anyone else, is also hearing some buzz in the last 48 hours which seems to bode well for another Mets and Cespedes reunion.
Rich Mancuso of NY Sports Day spoke to a source that was able to confirm that the Mets are looking at a four-year deal and nothing beyond. “Three years for Cespedes has always been the assumption but the Mets realize the importance of Cespedes returning and his impact in the lineup.”
The same source also confirmed to him what my source told me which is that Cespedes is anxious to get a deal done.
What does all of this mean? Well I’m not in the prediction business, but I think we may be moving toward a big announcement that could come this weekend or early next week if not sooner.
I’ve stated all along that I have no doubt that Yoenis Cespedes would be in left field for the Mets on Opening Day in 2017, but now I’m feeling absolutely certain about it.
Further fueling my optimism was Jose Reyes posting a photo of himself and Yoenis Cespedes this evening on his Instagram account. I don’t believe in coincidences. Reyes has kept in daily contact with Cespedes and just a few days ago made a strong appeal to the Mets for him.
“Every team needs a player like Cespedes in the lineup,’’ Reyes said. “He’s a game-changer. I tried to talk to him to better convince him to coming back, but that is something I can’t control. Not only me, but every player on our ballclub wants him back.”
Cespedes, 31, batted .280 with a .354 on-base and .530 slugging with 31 home runs and 86 RBI in 2016, despite not starting in 36 games due to bothersome quad injury.
Sandy Alderson knows how vital it is to bring Cespedes back. The team was 72-54 when Cespedes was in the starting lineup last season, and 15-21 when he was not.
Jon Heyman predicts that Cespedes will get a four-year deal worth $110 million, which is consistent with our MMO free agent predictions as well.
Stay tuned and keep your dial set to Metsmerized Online.
