Yoenis Cespedes said he would have a grand comeback this season, and the latest video of his offseason workouts shows he's preparing to live up to his word.
Cespedes is down in Port St. Lucie putting in work that includes running on turf, hitting batting practice, and in typical Cespedes fashion, making absurd catches in the outfield...
Yo is running 👀
- SNY (@SNYtv) January 20, 2020
(via @uSTADIUM) pic.twitter.com/SA4Cp2FzuC
Back in December, Cespedes told ESPN analyst Eduardo Perez (who could be managing him this season depending on how the Mets' manager search goes) that he could hit 52 homers to match his jersey number.
"Just imagine if you do add a Yoenis Cespedes," Perez said. "A guy that verbally told me, he said 'I'm ready, I'm gonna go out with a bang this year. I'm not just gonna hit 40 home runs.'
"Verbally he told me he could hit 52."
Cespedes' development this Spring Training, after missing the entire 2019 season after an accident involving a wild boar, will be a top storyline. The All-Star has played 119 games between 2017 and 2018, and slashed .282/.343/.525 with 26 homers and 23 doubles over that span.
The 34-year-old is also confident that he can hit the incentives in his new contract this season. He had his contract amended, and with those incentives he could boost his salary to a potential $20 million.
Cespedes looks like he's doing everything possible to reach that total by getting fully ready for his comeback year. Having his power bat on the roster, despite not having a solidified spot in the lineup, would be a great upgrade for the Mets in 2020.