Teams have reached out to the Mets over the last week about the potential of trading for Yoenis Cespedes, reports Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. According to DiComo, nothing is imminent.
The Mets reached an agreement with Cespedes last week to amend his contract and salary for the 2020 season, SNY's Andy Martino reported.
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. Under the terms of the amended contract, that $29.5 million could become less than $10 million, according to The Post's Joel Sherman, though Cespedes could make as much as $20 million if he reaches certain incentive clauses.
Before the amendment was agreed to, the Mets and Cespedes were moving closer to a hearing related to his ranch injury and a potential contract violation, according to Martino.
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.
While Cespedes recently told Eduardo Perez of MLB Network Radio that he was hungry and ready to "go out with a bang," it's fair to believe the Mets would much rather trade Cespedes to an American League team in need of a DH than have him on the roster in 2020.
The Mets currently have a payroll of roughly $192 million (factoring in the lower Cespedes salary pre-incentives), which puts them $16 million under the luxury threshold of $208 million. If they trade Cespedes and the acquiring team takes on a large chunk of the money he is guaranteed while assuming payment of potential incentives, it would give the Mets even more room to make additions this offseason and/or during the 2020 season.
Aside from the payroll aspect of the Cespedes situation, the Mets also have a full outfield, with J.D. Davis in left, Brandon Nimmo in center, Michael Conforto in right, and Jake Marisnick on the bench.
With the above players on the roster, it's hard to see where Cespedes fits in.
Among teams who could potentially be interested in Cespedes, the Mets have already had trade discussions this offseason with the Rangers (regarding Jed Lowrie and Dominic Smith) and Athletics.
