Reports are out that Yoenis Cespedes is in talks with the New York Mets concerning a proposed three-year deal. According to John Harper of the Daily News, Cespedes is also mulling a five-year deal from the Nationals.
According to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports, they key to this whole thing is that Cespedes has made it clear that he prefers New York because of the Latin culture and the opportunity to play on a big-stage. “He’s played in four cities now,” said a person close to the situation, and he has made it known that he feels at home in New York more than anywhere else.
It has also been reported that Cespedes’ agency, Roc Nation Group, contacted the Yankees to share with them the slugger’s desire to stay in New York and try to gauge any potential interest from the Bombers. At this point, it appears that Brian Cashman and the Yankees aren’t in on Cespedes but who knows? We have certainly seen stranger things happen during past Hot Stove seasons.
It would certainly be intriguing to think of Joe Girardi penciling Cespedes in the Bomber’s lineup, with an aging Carlos Beltran and the constant talks concerning Brett Gardner’s future. One thing for certain is that right now, the Mets appear to be in a good position to retain the coveted free agent.
It’s also believed that the Mets are probably going to have to go somewhere around $20 million per year in a short-term deal. The Roc Nation Group has even hinted that something could be done by the end of this week. Stay tuned.
