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Yoenis Cespedes opts out: 5 potential destinations

By Joshua Sadlock

May 21, 2016; New York City, NY, USA; New York Mets centerfielder Yoenis Cespedes (52) is congratulated by teammates after hitting a two run home run against the Milwaukee Brewers in the sixth inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports
May 21, 2016; New York City, NY, USA; New York Mets centerfielder Yoenis Cespedes (52) is congratulated by teammates after hitting a two run home run against the Milwaukee Brewers in the sixth inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports /
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Yoenis Cespedes will reportedly opt out of his contract with the New York Mets. Here are five teams that could be in the running to land the free-agent outfielder.

As expected, the three-year, $75 million contract Yoenis Cespedes signed with the New York Mets last winter was in effect a one-year contract. Cespedes has opted out in the contract and will hit the free agent market this winter, making him one of the most coveted prizes for teams to try and claim. It was announced on November 6th that the outfielder will be leaving the Mets — perhaps temporarily — to see how much he can get on the open market.

Cespedes surprisingly returned to the Mets last offseason, after a longer deal to his liking never materialized. He did have serious offers from the Baltimore Orioles and Washington Nationals, but elected to make a one-year bet on himself with the Mets. It paid off, as Cespedes slashed .280/.354/.530 with 31 home runs and 86 RBIs in 132 games. He successfully led the Mets back to the playoffs.

There will be no shortage of suitors for Cespedes this winter, and two consecutive excellent seasons should help teams feel more confident about signing him to a deal that will extend through his age-35 season. While he may not exceed the $25-million annual value on last year’s deal with the Mets, for Cespedes and his agent, it will be all about getting a fifth or sixth guaranteed year on the deal.

Here are the five teams who should make the most aggressive runs at Cespedes when free agency officially opens this winter.

5. New York Mets

The Mets are the most obvious choice to land Cespedes. He clearly loves the spotlight of the Big Apple and the atmosphere in the Mets clubhouse. The outfielder bounced around to four teams over the first four years of his career, and has turned in the best years of his career when finally given stability. The Mets have come to accept some of the eccentricities that come with a big personality like Cespedes, and he fits in with the culture that is being built in Flushing Meadows.

It was a huge surprise that the Mets were able to open their purse strings to re-sign Cespedes last year. The franchise is still reeling from its ownership group’s involvement in the Bernie Madoff Ponzi scheme, and had not been able to lure top free-agent talent in years despite their presence in the largest market in America. For the Mets going forward with Cespedes likely will not represent a massive rise in annual salary, but a willingness to extend last year’s deal for an additional two or three years.

The Mets and Cespedes clearly have a strong relationship, but few players in professional sports are actually willing to give a “hometown” discount when it comes to their free agencies. The Mets will get the first and last shot to sign their outfielder, and should be fully expected to match any reasonable offer.

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