Washington Nationals Rumors: Yoenis Cespedes Torn Between Nats And Mets

Another source said that Cespedes’ agents, the Roc Nation group, reached out to the Yankees on Thursday to tell them of the slugger’s desire to stay in NY, and ask if they’d be willing to jump in with a three-year offer. Earlier in the week, the New York Mets confirmed that ongoing discussions were taking place with Cespedes’ agent. The Mets are reportedly unwilling to give Cespedes a contract longer than three years. He prefers the reported five-year contract by the Nationals, but Cespedes prefers staying with the Mets, whose offer stands at a three-year deal.

The New York Mets are still in the market for a right-handed hitting outfielder that they could possibly use to platoon with Juan Lagares in centerfield. It’s unknown whether they would also offer a five-year deal.

There has been much written, and even more said, about where Yoenis Cespedes could potentially land this offseason. Cespedes played his final two months of the season in the big apple, but the Mets will not receive draft pick compensation if he signs elsewhere as a result. And with the hesitation comes regret because the outfielder is reportedly interested in signing with the Washington Nationals. He also mentioned the “possibility still exists that other teams are involved”, as it was previously reported the Chicago White Sox, San Diego Padres, Texas Rangers and Houston Astros were also keeping an eye on Cespedes.

Cespedes, who turned 30 in October, is a.271/.319/.486 hitter with 106 home runs in 575 big-league games.

As we have seen with the Upton saga, teams can change directions very quick with their offseason plans depending on how the market goes. Joining the Nationals also might concern him, given the number of strong personalities in their clubhouse.

So it makes sense that the Nationals have made the most aggressive and long-term lucrative offer to Cespedes thus far, because acquiring him both immediately upgrades their potential, in addition to weakening their closest rival. Maybe it is just time to move on.