The Mets made a deadline deal to obtain Yoenis Cespedes five years ago today, July 31st, 2015. The trade capped a wild five days, that included the Wilmer Flores non-trade, a horrific loss to the Padres after a long rain delay, and a Flores walk-off home run against the Nationals.

Cespedes joined Donn Clendenon and Keith Hernandez (among others) as key deals the Mets have made at the trade deadline.

As the 4 pm deadline approached on July 31, 2015, Cespedes’ name was not tied to the Mets. The Mets had been eyeing Jay Bruce of the Reds (whom they acquired a year later) as their primary target to add a power-hitting bat. When the Mets and Reds were not able to agree on a deal, Tigers’ GM Dave Dombroski and Mets GM Sandy Alderson agreed on a deal moments before the deadline-Cespedes for pitchers Luis Cessa and Michael Fulmer.

Cespedes proceeded to be just what the Mets needed as they surged to an NL East division title (and ultimately and NL championship). In 57 games with New York in 2015, he posted a .287 BA with 17 home runs, and OPS of .942 and an OPS+ of 155.

In the 2015 post season, Cespedes hit two home runs, and drove in eight runs. His post season ended a bit early, when he left game five of the World Series after fouling a ball off his leg. His home run below against the Dodgers in game three of the NLDS was probably his best post season moment, and gave the Mets a commanding 10-3 lead.

Many assumed that Cespedes was a 2015 rental, and that he’d be employed elsewhere in 2016. For much of the 2015 off season, it appeared that would be the case. Cespedes wanted to return, and held out for the Mets. On January 26, 2016, he signed a one-year deal to return. Though he was limited by injury to 132 games, Cespedes had a measurable impact once again, slugging 31 home runs and driving in 86 runs to go with a .280 BA. His OPS was .884 and his OPS+ was 136.

Once again, it seemed Cespedes would leave the Mets after their crushing NL Wild Card loss to the Giants. And once again, he returned. This time, it was four-year contract. This contract turned out to be a bad one for the Mets.

In 2017, Cespedes was limited to 81 games; he played in just 38 games in 2018, and then missed the entire 2019 season. His injuries can be described as “unusual”, ranging from a degenerative ankle condition (affecting both ankles), to an encounter with a wild boar.

Cespedes’ Mets tenure will likely end after the 2020 season. His time with the Mets has had a bottle rocket feel. He soared immediately, then fizzled as time went on. He provided some spectacular moments, and some amazing memories.

Some will remember his last Mets contract as an albatross for the organization (though he did renegotiate after the boar incident). Others will reflect fondly the way he propelled the team to the 2015 post season, like a newly assigned general leading the cavalry to victory.

I’m choosing the latter.