With just 32 days until pitchers and catchers report for spring training, what are the New York Mets waiting for to sign Yoenis Cespedes?
By Israel Gonzalez
Ladies and gentlemen, it is time to introduce you to the one true eighth wonder of the world, the decision making of the New York Mets.
Sorry wrestling fans, it’s not Andre the Giant, nor Chyna. The Mets, and the Mets alone, have that distinction.
This isn’t something new with the Mets, though. It’s not like they haven’t made outrageous decisions in the past. The New York Mets are to ridiculous decisions what the sun is to the sky. They are synonymous. When you think of the sky, you think of the sun. When you think about ridiculous choices, you think of the Mets. Who knew that word association could be this fun?
Better yet, who could forget the debacle that is the handling of Bobby Bonilla by the New York Mets? To make a long story short, the Mets got caught up in the Bernard Madoff Ponzi Scheme, cut ties with Bonilla, and beginning in 2011, began paying Bonilla $1.2 million a year every July 1. As in, every July 1 until 2035. As in, they will pay Bonilla that amount for 25 years in total.
That’s right folks, while other people are struggling to make ends meet, the New York Mets are paying Bobby Bonilla to do absolutely nothing.
But that’s not with this is all about. This is about the inexplicable reasons as to why the New York Mets haven’t resigned their best offensive player, Yoenis Cespedes. After letting Daniel Murphy go, the same Murphy that carried the offensive load last post-season, are the Mets ready to let Cespedes go for nothing?
Last season began in Detroit for Cespedes. In 102 games for the Tigers, he hit 18 homeruns, drove in 61, and stole three bases. In only 52 games with the Mets, Cespedes nearly matched those totals. He hit 17 homeruns, drove in 44, and stole four bases. Where else are the New York Mets going to find that sort of production? Bobby Bonilla?
If the Mets are hoping to convince their fans that they aren’t serious about making a return trip to the World Series, they are doing a fine job at it.
John Harper of the New York Daily News had an interesting take on what losing Cespedes would mean to Mets fans.
“You have to wonder what it’s worth to the Wilpons, after briefly basking in the glow of their October run, to keep fans from going back to hating them for not spending?”
However, the contract negotiations with Cespedes have been complex. He wants a long-term deal, but the Mets prefer something short-term. However, what if 5-years, $100 million gets it done? What about 6-years, $120 million? Would the Mets play ball? For a player like Cespedes, who has been fairly productive since he joined the league in 2012, such a dollar figure is deserved.
Take Chris Davis, for instance. The slugging first baseman has agreed to sign a 7-year, $161 million deal with the Baltimore Orioles. While Davis did hit 47 homeruns last season, he struck out 208 times. His slugging percentage was .562, and he had a war of 5.2. By comparison, Cespedes slugged at a .542 clip and had a war of 6.3. Is Davis really worth $60 million more than Cespedes? The numbers simply don’t prove that.
So New York Mets, if you are listening, sign Cespedes. This needed to happen last week or the week before or the week before. It should never have come to this. This man carried the team at times last season. Why not reward him for it?
