The Mets are going to have to court Yoenis Cespedes once again.The star outfielder opted out of his three-year deal with the Mets as expected and is once again a free agent, according to a source. The Mets retained Cespedes last offseason after he became a free agent, but figure to face tougher obstacles this time since Cespedes is perhaps the top free agent in a weak market.
 
Yoenis Cespedes opts out of deal with Mets, becomes free agent
 
Mets officials have long expected Cespedes would opt out of his three-year deal to pursue a bigger deal despite his declarations that he intends to stay and wanted to play out his deal. The Mets signed Cespedes to deal worth $75 million with the first year paying him $27.5 Million.It’s a virtual lock he will surpass the $47.5 million that was still owed to him on his contract, and the 31-year-old may land a $100-million plus deal covering five or more years.
The Mets are interested in continuing their partnership with Cespedes but will have to be more willing to negotiate a long-term deal than they were last year. The Mets did not want to go beyond three years to retain Cespedes last offseason, and ultimately the two sides made concessions to reunite.It helped the Mets last winter that the market also included Jason Heyward, Justin Upton and Alex Gordon, each of whom signed deals for at least four years and $72 million.
Heyward landed an eight-year pact while Upton signed for six and Gordon re-upped with the Royals for four years.Those three signed before Cespedes, and it cut into the suitors for Cespedes. The Nationals made a push for Cespedes, but Cespedes chose the Mets offer that included the opt-out clause.
New York Mets pitcher Jeurys Familia arrested on domestic violence chargeThis year’s market is not as flushed with options, and veterans like Jose Bautista, Edwin Encarnacion and Carlos Beltran are some of the other top free agents available. The market is filled with elite closers such as Aroldis Chapman, but lacks the frontline starting pitchers that stocked last year’s market.
Cespedes’ age compared to the alternative options and his stellar performance the last two years should help his cause, and new teams will be in the fold this time. San Francisco could be in the market for a left fielder, and the Angels may feel inclined to help beef up their lineup surrounding Mike Trout.The Marlins could be a threat if they decide to part ways with Marcell Ozuna.
It helps the Mets that Cespedes has taken to playing in New York and enjoys his status as a star in New York, and the Mets have enough outfielders to wait out the market for Cespedes.After picking up Jay Bruce’s option, the Mets have five outfielders set to return in Bruce, Michael Conforto, Curtis Granderson, Juan Lagares and Brandon Nimmo. Cespedes is the best player of the group, but the team is not in a dire position if Cespedes heads to another team.
Retaining Cespedes would give the Mets their best team for 2017 when they figure to be top contenders in the National League provided the pitching staff is healthy. All the starting pitchers have proved themselves, and the lineup could be stocked full of players with track records of producing.If Cespedes does not return, the Mets lineup will clearly take a hit, and they will need Conforto, Bruce and Travis d’Arnaud to have bounce-back seasons.
Conforto struggled in his sophomore year and Bruce slumped in his brief time with the Mets, and d’Arnaud unexpectedly saw a massive dip in power.Cespedes’ status may make it more imperative the Mets bring back Neil Walker to start at second base instead of turning to less costly options at the position. They are slated to offer him the qualifying offer.
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