Latest update, 11 p.m.
Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal is now reporting that the Mets and Yoenis Cespedes are “closing in” on a deal
According to Rosenthal, the deal will be in the range of three years and $70 million with an opt-out after year one.
10 p.m. update:
According to MLB Network’s Jon Heyman, the infamous “mystery team” has reappeared. As Heyman reports, the Mets and Nationals are not the only teams still in play for Cespedes.
The Angels, White Sox, and Braves have been linked to Cespedes in the past. The Astros have as well, but MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart says they are not one of the “mystery teams.”
This is far from over.
Afternoon Update
Here’s the latest on what is becoming an intriguing ever-evolving news cycle on the Yoenis Cespedes front. Let’s cut straight to the chase.
As you know, the Mets and Roc Nation are currently engaged in negotiations this morning and afternoon after learning that Cespedes strongly desires to remain with the Mets. Two sources said the Cuban slugger is “torn” between choosing the Nationals and their five-year, $100 million deal or the Mets and a three year deal.
Buster Olney of ESPN then heard that Cespedes and the Mets are discussing a three-year deal with an opt-out clause after the first year. Interesting in that it would allow Cespedes to become a free agent again next season when the market for outfielders will not be as robust as it was this Winter. It also keeps the Mets from tying Cespedes up longterm.
However, John Harper of the Daily News is reporting that the Mets are even considering increasing their offer to more than three years.
It’s all pointing to a desire from both sides to be reunited again which makes the odds of that happening very good.
By the way, how do you think the Nationals feel that they have a five year offer to Cespedes and that they’re being left hanging because Yo loves the Mets so much he might be willing to leave two years and $40 million or more on the table?
It says a lot about Nats, but it also says a lot more about the Mets. We are a team on the rise that everyone wants to play for. We’ve been seeing this all Winter long. Flushing has become a hot spot destination and the Mets are back in fashion.
Original AM Report
If you thought this Yoenis Cespedes drama was closing in on the final act with the Cuban slugger taking his notable talents to the Washington Nationals…. Think again.
According to a report by Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports, two sources with knowledge of what Cespedes is thinking say he prefers to stay with the Mets.
The Nationals do in fact have a five year offer to Cespedes according to multiple sources, with the value being north of $100 million according to Jon Heyman.
However, Cespedes is torn between taking the Nationals’ five-year offer or going back to the team he loved playing for on a three year deal or less.
Rosenthal adds that the lead agent for Cespedes, CAA’s Brodie Van Wagenen, remains in touch with the Mets, and the two sides are scheduled to speak again on Friday.
Meanwhile Mets manager Terry Collins continued to push his feelings on the matter. “He works very hard to be a good teammate,” Collins said. “His pre-game routine is off the charts . . . off the charts. He has things that he does right before a game in the batting cage . . . When he walks on to that field, he’s legit.”
As you know, the Mets have yet to make a formal offer, but all that could change on Friday when the two sides meet again, perhaps in a last ditch effort to keep Cespedes in Flushing.
Mets fans torched the team on Thursday on social media, slamming ownership and the front office for failing to keep to their promise to spend this offseason after record attendance, revenues, viewership and profits. And while payroll has gone up about $10 million to $115 million – many feel that is nowhere near enough for a team in the game’s biggest market and coming off a gut-wrenching World Series loss. And they’re right.
While things got heated on Twitter – so much so that it picked up national attention – one ultra popular Mets Blogger chose to berate the fan base and suggested they go root for another team if they were unhappy with ownership and their handling of the team. That was a big mistake and eventually he was forced to duck for cover and delete all his tweets while all hell broke loose against him.
Here’s the question. Let’s say the report is true and the Nationals do indeed have a five-year, $100 million dollar on the table, should the Mets stick to their guns and hold fast to that three-year, $60 million stance?
Or should they just concede the fourth and fifth years, or perhaps raise the three-year offer to let’s say $75 million? Would that work?
Bottom Line… This is far from over. For a very welcomed change, the game’s best players actually want to play for the Mets – and that’s awesome to see. If Cespedes listens to his heart, the Mets could have him signed, sealed and delivered by the end of this weekend. How huge would that be?!?!
Site Note: I apologize for my lack of posts, but the truth is I’m dealing with some heavy duty health issues and I’m confined to the hospital. The only time I have to myself is during light’s out when I can get on my phone and write something late at night – assuming I have the energy. I miss you guys. Thanks for understanding.
