According to Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com, the White Sox and Orioles are “emerging as leaders” in the race to sign free agent outfielder Yoenis Cespedes, with the Angels and Giants still in the mix and the Rangers monitoring the situation.
Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reported last week, that the Mets had bowed out on Cespedes and that there’s no chance he’ll be returning to Flushing. The Mets had reportedly reached out to Cespedes about signing a two or three year deal, but never once discussed dollars with his representatives at Roc Nation.
Cespedes, 30, hit .287 with 17 home runs and 44 RBI with the Mets last season after being acquired from the Tigers at the trade deadline for two pitching prospects. He was a huge part of the team’s second half success, but his weaknesses were highlighted in the postseason where he struggled in the NLCS and World Series.
It’s expected that Cespedes will sign a 5-6 year deal worth $130-$150 million dollars.
(Updated 12/29)
