Yoenis Cespedes (52) hits an RBI single in the seventh inning against the Chicago Cubs in game three of the NLCS at Wrigley Field. Photo Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Yoenis Cespedes and the New York Mets cut off contract talks and the Cuban outfielder is moving on to a fifth team in just over two years.
Which team? That’s to be determined but Cespedes did not find any path to a return to the Mets, who signed complementary outfielder Alejandro De Aza this week and CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman reports Steven Pearce is on New York’s radar.
A middle-of-the-order run producer, Cespedes had 35 home runs and 105 RBIs in 2015.
Cespdes could consider taking a short-term deal, according to FOX Sports, and re-enter free agency next season.
He entered the league with the Oakland Athletics, was traded to the Boston Red Sox and then to the Detroit Tigers. In July, Cespedes went to the Mets in a trade-deadline deal that nearly didn’t happen.
The Chicago White Sox, San Francisco Giants, Los Angeles Angels and Tigers are all reportedly interested in Cespedes but each team is dealing with a level of financial constraints. The White Sox might need to move salary in deals for Melky Cabrera or Adam LaRoche, the Giants spent big for starting pitchers Jeff Samardzija and Johnny Cueto.
