In an exclusive interview with Mets GM Sandy Alderson conducted by Steve Serby of the New York Post, Alderson touched base on a variety of topics surrounding the Mets going into the new season, including his thoughts on freshly-signed slugger Yoenis Cespedes.
“I think just the way in which he approaches each game. He has a flair that people have come to appreciate,” Alderson said in the interview. “That flair comes with outstanding ability as well. You can tell he’s super confident, he’s an outstanding athlete and a bigger-than-life aspect to his game with his power and his arm.”
Cespedes, 31, inked a four-year, $110 million deal with the Mets this past November after hitting .280/.354/.530 with 31 home runs and 86 RBI’s in 132 games in his all-star 2016 campaign.
“Fans enjoy winning games, but I think that in New York, personalities stand out as well,” Alderson said. “He hasn’t heretofore communicated all that much, but there’s that quiet, mysterious aura of power and speed and strength, it’s manifested quite often at the plate.”
According to Alderson, Cespedes is already down in Port St. Lucie working out and gearing up for the season, saying that he thinks Cespedes is motivated to stay healthy and play well this season.
The plan as of right now is to have Cespedes play everyday in left field, with Curtis Granderson and Juan Lagares splitting time in center, and Jay Bruce holding down the fort in right, Alderson also said.
“Cespedes is an excellent left fielder, Granderson did a nice job for us in center last year, Lagares is excellent, and Jay Bruce I would say he’s league average at least,” Alderson said. “He’s got a good arm and he makes the routine plays. He’s not gonna save 100 runs for us out there, but we’re not unhappy with our outfield defense.”
Lastly, Alderson said that there is no correlation between Cespedes’ golfing and his leg injury last season, and that he has no problem with Cespedes playing golf off the field.
“Last year there was an unfortunate juxtaposition between the golf and the leg injury that didn’t sit well with some fans, and wasn’t looked on favorably by the media,” Alderson said. “I don’t think there was any real connection between the two.”
If you would like to read the rest of the article, it can be found here, and please do give it a read, because it is a fantastic interview by Serby about all things Mets.
