Since acquiring Yoenis Cespedes at the 2015 trade deadline, the big story has been about locking him up. Last offseason Cespedes and the Mets agreed to a $75 million deal over 3 years with an opt out after the first season. So, of course the right-handed slugger opted out in search for a long-term contract. As of multiple reports, Cespedes’ new deal is worth $110 million over the course of 4 years. The Mets did not want to go more than 5 years, as history tells that long term deals are not worth it. But, does this contract sit well with the player, and how important is the player to the Mets’ cause?
Cespedes may not have gotten as many years as he wanted, but he now has one of the highest yearly salaries in the game. The other factor is that Cespedes enjoys playing in Queens; and he has been a significant peice to the Mets’ recent success. Cespedes has established himself as the now Mets’ superstar; the first since David Wright‘s prime.
Yoenis has accumulated a WAR of 5.2 over the course of his 189 games played with the Mets. Many have said that Cespedes is not a superstar, but his numbers beg to differ, however, what does it matter? If it wasn’t for Cespedes the Mets do not make the postseason 2 years in a row. With 9 clones of Yoenis Cespedes in the Mets’ 2015 lineup, the team’s winning percentage would have been .711. In 2016 the team would have won 64% of it’s games, resulting in 103 wins. Cespedes’ last two campaigns have resulted finishing in the top 15 for the MVP, and collecting a silver slugger + gold glove award.
Quite simply, without Yoenis Cespedes, the Mets will struggle to reach the postseason. Other than Cespedes himself, the Mets have not made any other blockbuster moves to significantly help their postseason run. Despite the talent of the pitching rotation, Cespedes has seemed to be the leader of this New York Mets team. 4 years and $110 million is a good length off contract for Cespedes’ talent, from recent success the Mets can afford it comfortably, and they don’t have to be the next victim to of a long term contract. Overall, this new deal will keep the New York Mets in championship contention for the next 4 years.
