Cespedes has not played in 19 months. The outfielder is looking to be a difference-maker for a team built to win now.
Yoenis Cespedes signed a four-year, $110 million free agent deal to remain with the Mets after the 2016 season. Since signing that deal, Cespedes has spent more time on the injured list than he has in the middle of the starting lineup.
Left hamstring, right hamstring, a strained hip flexor, and operations on both heels. Then there was the big one last summer. Cespedes fractured his right ankle in a violent fall at his Florida ranch. It was that last injury which guaranteed Cespedes missing the entire 2019 season. It also altered the makeup of his 2020 base salary.
The $29.5 million, Cespedes was scheduled to earn in 2020, was restructured to $6 million. That’s a heck of a pay cut. It’s also the potential prelude to a comeback season for the ages. Because Cespedes has plenty of financial motivation to fuel his return to the lineup.
In the amended contract Cespedes agreed to with the Mets, the slugger can raise his pay to $20 million if he has 650 plate appearances. That’s a pretty good incentive to get back on the field.
But if Bob Barker were here, he’d ask you to wait, because there’s more:
- The All-Star Game. Cespedes is a two-time All-Star, if he is selected this season, his All-Star bonus would be increased from $50,000 to $500,000.
- If he wins a Gold Glove award, his bonus for that would be increased from $100,000 to $750,000. The same goes for if he wins a Silver Slugger award.
- He can also earn a $500,000 bonus if he is named MVP in the World Series and/ or League Championship Series. That’s an increase from $100,000.
- If he is voted league MVP, he would get a bonus of $1 million. That’s up from $125,000.
Cespedes can be a difference maker if he’s healthy
There are several other incentives in the amended contract for Cespedes. He’s won a Gold Glove award before and he’s also secured a Silver Slugger trophy. The question mark surrounding Cespedes remains, however, his health.
His health is arguably the biggest question mark hanging over the 2020 season for the Mets. It’s likely why the Mets didn’t have an issue with some of the incentives in the amended deal. Everything would need to go right for Cespedes to cash-in on even half of those bullet points.
But when he was on his game, there were stretches where he carried the Mets. They know how much of a game changer he can be for them. His bat in the lineup gives opposing teams plenty to think about when game planning.
Where Cespedes will fit for the Mets is a good problem to have
The number to look at this time would be four, that’s the number of outfielders on the roster with legitimate arguments to play daily. The Mets still have Michael Conforto, Brandon Nimmo, and J.D. Smith in the outfield. Dominic Smith is healthy and ready to contribute.
If Cespedes is ready to play, new Mets’ manager Luis Rojas will have an early challenge looking to slot him into the lineup. But that’s a good problem to have.
The one number that matters most
There’s one final number to keep in mind when it comes to Cespedes. It’s been 19 months since his last game. He’s reported early to Spring Training and from all indications looks to be in great condition. The true eye test, however, will be when he’s medically cleared to play in baseball games, on the field.
It’s uncertain if his two surgically repaired heels can hold up in the outfield. The Mets reportedly are also looking at giving Cespedes a look at first base in the spring.
A healthy and motivated Yoenis Cespedes can be the equalizer for this team. He has plenty of incentive to get back on the field. I can see the argument made for wanting to see him in the spring in order to gauge his trade value. But this is a team which missed the playoffs only by a handful of games. Cespedes has the resume and potential to be a difference-making bat in their lineup.
One thing is for certain, in life and sports, numbers mean everything.
