Yoenis Cespedes
Cespedes enjoyed a career best season in 2015. He’s lined himself up for a lucrative long term deal.
Prediction: New York Mets 6 years/$126 million
We told you this free agent class was loaded with stud outfielders. Yoenis Cespedes, similar to Zach Greinke, had a season he may never replicate again. Fortunately for them both, they’re going to cash in anyways. Cespedes posted career highs in runs, hits, homers, RBI’s, slugging, OPS, and total bases.
Cespedes is a five tool player who just turned 30. He’s expressed he wants a contract of at least 6 years, and could get something longer, given the history of his agency, Roc Nation Sports. He’s played for four teams in four years and certainly will be seeking a home for the long term.
The Mets are likely to lose Daniel Murphy, leaving a huge hole in the middle of the lineup without he and Cespedes, potentially. His free swinging approach does not fit the mindset of Mets GM Sandy Alderson, but it’s obvious that the Mets saw enough from Cespedes to like his overall value. The only question lies in ownership–will Fred and Jeff Wilpon open up the checkbook? It’s hard to say, considering they will owe millions of dollars next summer to a Bernie Madoff trustee (Irving Pickard), but revenues are up, all across the board in Queens, giving the Mets ownership little reason not to spend big for a club that’s ready to win now.
