New York Mets Re-Sign Yoenis Cespedes

The New York Mets have re-signed Yoenis Cespedes to a short-term deal, which will keep the outfielder playing in Queens. The deal completed on Wednesday was called a win for both the Mets and the Cuban outfielder.

Cespedes agreed to a 3-year deal for $75 million that also includes an opt-out following the first season. In 2016, Cespedes will earn a total of $27.5 million.

The contract made sense for both parties, as the Mets avoid a commitment over the long-term they did not want to entertain and Cespedes will get a high payout for the first season and an opportunity to test the waters of free agency again following this season.

Next season, the volume of free agents that are high profile will be far less than this current off season.

Cespedes, who in the past four seasons has played for a total of four teams, also valued remaining in New York where he enjoyed playing with the players who reached the World Series.

Brodie Van Wagenen who is Cespedes’ agent said the player does not look at this as being a short-term agreement. He said that the player hopes he can bridge a relationship that is longer.

Sandy Alderson the general manager of the Mets said that from the team’s standpoint the deal works well and that there had been a number of discussions about opt outs.

It was believed that the Washington Nationals were offering a deal of five years to Cespedes. Jeff Wilpon the COO for the Mets insisted that Washington being seemingly the primary alternative did not make any difference to the bidding strategy of the Mets, even though the two teams are bitter NL League East rivals.

Wilpon said that the team is a destination where players want to come and that is the biggest reason for Cespedes signing with them.

New York had figured that the outfielder would sign a deal elsewhere that was long term. At the December winter meetings, John Ricco the assistant GM said it was not likely that the Mets would re-sign the Cuban.

Alderson said the same earlier in January.

Alderson said that he and Ricco’s statements spoke of the probability of not signing Cespedes, as they at the time were being realistic about their opportunity to re-sign the outfielder.

Alderson said that looking at the deal you could see it is mutually beneficial and that this all boils down to Cespedes wanting to return to New York.