MLB Trade News and Rumors 2016: New York Mets Likely to Sign Yoenis Cespedes
The Yoenis Cespedes sweepstakes is far from over and the free agent will have to look for another team that will accommodate his financial demands after the Baltimore Orioles decide to sign Chris Davis instead.
So where does this leave the outfielder?
At this point, the Orioles have exited the bidding war and multiple reports are coming in saying that the remaining front runners are the Atlanta Braves, Chicago White Sox, and quite interestingly, the New York Mets.
One reason why Cespedes hasn't found a team yet is because he had lofty expectations upon entering free agency. Of course, every player testing free agency would want as much money as possible. After all, free agency is all about finding a better future through long term and lucrative contracts.
Now let's try to dig in why the Mets are likely going to win and get the Cuban outfielder:
First of all, Cespedes should have realized by now that he no longer can get $120 million from any team out there. His worth is a far cry from what was estimated a couple of months ago. When the Orioles offered him $90 million for five years, he turned it down. Will the Tigers or White Sox give him more? That's highly doubtful since if that was the case, they could have offered something by now.
So how about the Mets? This team may have the upper hand right now simply because Cespedes has nowhere else to go, at least when he's asking for a long-term contract. The 30-year-old joined the team last Augusts and they went 37-22 after that.
General manager Sandy Alderson emphasized that his organization is not looking to offering him a long-term contract and the best thing he could give is a one-year deal.
The question is why should Cespedes even consider it? Signing a one-year deal makes good sense because it'll allow him to become a free agent at the end of next season. It means he has one year to prove doubters wrong by playing good baseball the rest of the way and up until free agency. Anyhow, he won't be losing money because a one-year deal for him will cost at least $20 million.