Storyline: Cespedes is a difference-maker, the difference between celebrating a championship and watching other teams play in the postseason.
For all the idiosyncrasies Yoenis Cespedes creates, the Mets still knew they had to find a way to pay up and give him the maximum if he was going to stay in NY.
Courtesy Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images
They had no choice. If the Mets didn’t sign him, there would be anger from the Mets fanbase. There would be perception that the organization is not into spending money, especially in a year they drew big crowds at Citi Field. The Mets would lose all of the goodwill from the fans that they created the last two years.
Cespedes clearly wanted to stay. He didn’t want to play for another organization after playing for the Athletics, Red Sox, and Tigers in recent years. He wanted stability.
At 31 years old, who wouldn’t want a stable life with security that comes with it? He loves being around his teammates, such as Jose Reyes and Asdrubal Cabrera. He enjoys the experience of playing in New York and he loves the city’s lifestyle.
He was staying if the Mets gave him a fair offer. That came Tuesday when the Mets and Cespedes agreed on a four-year, $110 million deal.
Courtesy: Denver Post
It made sense for everyone involved. Cespedes gets what he wants. Thee Mets get a hitter that can not only help them make the playoffs, but win a championship. They also didn’t overpay him.
It’s hard to play in New York as it is. Jay Bruce serves as a good example. It takes a special type of player to handle the pressure and come up with big moments in this town. Cespedes is one of those guys, and those guys are hard to get. It shouldn’t be more complicated than that.
Yes, he can be moody.
Yes, he’s not with his teammates during batting practice or pregame stretch.
But for all that baggage Cespedes creates he makes it up by performance. He comes through, and that’s what matters to his teammates, fans, and Manager Terry Collins.
Cespedes isn’t the first and he won’t be the last diva. Superstars are like that in any sport. We have a fair group of players like that in NYC … Odell Beckham Jr., Carmelo Anthony, and Derrick Rose included.
They’ll be tolerated if they get the job done. Cespedes has done that more often than not in his time with the Mets. That’s why the Mets were more than okay to sign him. They can also handle him. Besides, there was no other option. There was no Plan B. It was Cespedes or bust. Everything was in the Mets’ favor to sign him.
Courtesy: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
It was hard to believe the Mets were not going to keep him. They know what he does between the white lines. They know what he does for a team. They’ve seen enough of him to know what to expect out of him. They knew he wanted to play for them.
It was a priority for the team to sign him. They were going to find a way to get it done, one way or another. This slugger had no interest playing anywhere else–despite speculation he would play for the Giants or Nationals. That’s why it was amusing Mets fans were worried Cespedes was going to play elsewhere.
It’s hard to believe Cespedes will stop being motivated now that he’s signed. History suggests that he’ll play well every year. He hasn’t had a down year in his career, so there’s no reason to worry about what he will do for the next four years. And even If the Mets get three good years of Cespedes’ four-year deal, it will be a good investment.
Cespedes is all about showbiz. He wants to please the fans. He will give it everything he has. A new contract won’t change things.
New York is perfect for Cespedes and he’s perfect for them. It’s a great marriage. That’s why hardly anyone has an issue about Cespedes coming back. Despite his eccentricities, his teammates and Mets coaching staff are happy he’s back.
They know he’s a difference-maker, the difference between celebrating a championship and watching other teams play in the postseason.
Great column..