The Mets have reached an agreement with Yoenis Cespedes to amend his contract and salary for the 2020 season, reports SNY's Andy Martino, who added that Cespedes is still under contract.
He could go from $29.5 million in 2020 to less than $10 million, according to The Post's Joel Sherman, though he could make as much as $20 million if you include potential bonuses.
The Mets and Cespedes were moving closer to a hearing related to his ranch injury and a potential contract violation, according to Martino, who noted that the settlement enables Cespedes to stay with the team while the Mets pay him a lot less.
Cespedes had been due to receive $29.5 million in 2020 in what is the last year of the four-year, $110 million contract he signed with the Mets after the 2016 season.
With the money due to Cespedes in 2020 now significantly lower than the $29.5 million he was due to receive, the Mets -- whose current payroll is close to the $208 million luxury tax threshold -- will conceivably have the ability to add more potential impact players this offseason.
The 34-year-old Cespedes missed all of last season due to the ankle injury he suffered while on his ranch, and has been taking batting practice and running as he prepares for a potential return.
Mets GM Brodie Van Wagenen said at the Winter Meetings that it wasn't yet clear whether Cespedes would be able to contribute in 2020.
Cespedes has dealt with myriad injuries since signing his four-year deal after 2016. He played just 81 games in 2017 and was limited to 38 games in 2018.
When on the field, though, Cespedes has been effective even while playing at less than 100 percent.
He hit .292/.352/.540 with 17 homers in 2017 and hit .262/.325/.496 with nine homers in 2018.