In a not-so-surprising turn of events, Yoenis Cespedes has rejected the Mets’ qualifying offer, according to multiple sources. He has officially become a free agent.
Cespedes, 31, is the best free agent outfielder on the market and should fetch a huge contract. He has publicly said he wants five years, and the Mets have been said to be willing to offer him a four-year deal around $100 million.
The re-signing of Cespedes went down to the wire last year and the team does not want to take the same approach this offseason. Last week, Mets general manager, Sandy Alderson, spoke on resolving things a bit faster this time around.
“I think realistically, from our standpoint this year, things will probably have to resolve themselves a lot sooner than they did last year,” said Alderson. “But it’s hard to predict where things will go.”
“Things could go quickly. Things could linger. But certainly, from our standpoint, between now and the winter meetings, and through the end of the winter meetings, would be the right time to get some of these issues resolved. But that doesn’t mean it will happen.”
Cespedes was everything you could have asked for as a Met, hitting 280/.354/.530 with 31 homers to go along with 86 RBI this past season, showcasing his raw power at all the right times and leading the Mets offense to their second consecutive playoff berth.
Cespedes has said he would want to return to the Mets, presumably if the price is right.
