Three days after the 2016 World Series ends, Yoenis Cespedes can opt out of his contract and become a free agent. All signs point to this happening. If it does, the Mets could still sign him, but there will be plenty of competition for the consensus choice as the best free agent player on the market this year.
If the all-star outfielder does depart for greener (as in money) pastures, what should be plan b for replacing his .280 batting average, .530 slugging average and 31 homer production? Ideally it would be a right-handed batting outfielder since most of the current crop of outfielders minus Cespedes are left-handed, with the notable exception of Juan Lagares.
However the list of right-handed power hitting outfielders who are free agents this year is not all that impressive. Probably the best, after Cespedes, is Ian Desmond of the Texas Rangers. In 2016 he slugged .446 with 22 homers and 29 doubles, and played a pretty good center field. But he would probably draw a good many suitors, and it is likely the Rangers would be the favorites to re-sign him since Desmond pretty much resurrected his career by moving from shortstop with Washington to center field in Texas.
There is an intriguing possibility involving a trade. Yasiel Puig appears to have worn out his welcome with the Dodgers. This is a player who debuted in 2013 with a .319 batting average and a .534 slugging average. However he has regressed since that season, to the point where he spent some time at Triple-A ball this year.
At first glance, it would seem foolish for the Dodgers to boot Puig, since one of the team’s few weaknesses is hitting against lefties. However there are questions about his work ethic, and there have been more than a few clubhouse clashes involving him.
The case for obtaining Puig is that if he were to recover his early form, he is basically a rare 5 tool player. He can hit for average and for power, has good speed and has a cannon for an arm. Despite his regressed stats this year, he did play better in September after being recalled from the Minor Leagues. He is still young, he turns 26 later this year, and is under team control for the next three seasons. His salary is affordable, at over eight million dollars next season and nine million plus for 2018.
The case against him is that his production has declined yearly, this year resulting in a .263 batting average and a pedestrian .416 slugging average. His maturity is questionable, and he has a history of alienating his team mates.
That being said, if he can be acquired without giving up too much, he might be worth a flyer. The Dodgers would like to fortify their starting rotation, and southern California native Robert Gsellman would likely pique their interest, and the Mets, even if not all their starting pitchers are healed, could have a surplus of starters. The Dodgers would probably want more than just Gsellman since there is such an upside for Puig. If they would take Gsellman and a mid level prospect, I think that might do the trick. But if the Dodgers insist on Gsellman and say Juan Lagares, that would be too rich for my blood.
Cespedes seems comfortable with the Mets, and hopefully a contract can be worked out. But if not, Puig as plan b would be an option… if the price is right.
Puig for Lagares and Gsellman would be quite the steal. I don’t think Puig is a terrible idea for the Mets but the offer, that you talked about balking at, is very low.
I’m not sure I agree with Dave on this one.
The stories surrounding Puig are numerous. Very real possibility he becomes toxic and divisive in the locker room, and unproductive and disinterested in the field. I mean, that’s his track record.
Huge risk.
When we talk about taking “a flyer” on a player, that means the downside is low. The cost is low. When the Mets part with two young, talented players in Gsellman and Lagares, I see that as a significant cost. I want more than a “flyer” in return.
Cost would have to go down significantly before I’d see Puig as a worthwhile risk. Not a fan.
Jimmy, Lagares isn’t young anymore and defense peaks at age 26. As much as I like him too, just wondering if he will be more than a platoon outfielder with a glove at this point. Still chases that slider away…
Tex, I would like to see Lagares get more at-bats against right handers, I think he was starting to come around this year at the plate until that thumb injury. Hopefully he will get a respectable amount of action against righties in spring training.
I understand who Juan Lagares is, and I’m not against trading him.
I just don’t believe in Puig as a reasonable Plan B.
I have an imaginary folder in my desk drawer that contains a list of players. The folder is labeled, “Not My Kind of Guy.”
Puig’s name is on that short list.
I have brought up Puig and been laughed down more than once, so John, get ready. I think Gsellman and Lagares should be enough and maybe too much. I think a 23 year old pitcher with 6 years of control should have enough value to get you a player everyone is running away from.
The Dodgers and Brewers had a Ryan Braun for Puig trade ready at the deadline and were to revisit it in the winter. Last year, everyone ran away from Ardolis Chapman, and the Yankees got him for nothing and turned him into the Cubs best prospect and more.
First off, it amazes me how people gave up on Lagares this quickly. Lagares won a gold glove, followed by a bad year, injury and now is useless and worthless at 26. Only on the Mets who gave up on Turner and Murphy does this happens. Maybe once Lagares is traded, they will appreciate the player he can become if given a proper chance.
Having said that, I have been writing on posts about Yansiel Puig and how IF Cespedes is still with the Mets, his influence on Puig could be all he needs in order to bring the best in him. Imagine two 5 tool players in the corners with cannon arms and speed. Let alone that they are both RH power hitters which would balance the heavy LH Mets lineup. Imagine further an outfield defense of Cespedes, Lagares, Puig where Lagares is the weakest arm. Pretty special if you ask me.
Mets get younger, faster, better defensibly and more balanced in the lineup. What is there not to like?
Obviously, in this scenario, Bruce and Granderson have to be traded for prospects. Walker gets a QO if he refuses, Mets get a draft pick. If he takes it, he gets traded.
I am thinking Lugo, Nimmo and throw in Montero to get the deal done. Maybe Montero just needs a new team to get it all back together too. Its a win, win for both teams. If they want Gsellman instead, then send Nimmo but not Lagares.
The Granderson and Bruce trades bring in new prospects to replenish the lower levels.
Conforto platoons with Lagares in CF while he learns some 1B as well.
Get it done Sandy, you over-hyped GM Genius in your own mind. Show us you can still think outside the box. If not, get inside the box and have someone tape it shut.
Mr. Gomes, I like your thought very much and could accept it if this were to happen, but would like to point out something: In your scenario, neither Conforto or Nimmo is an option and I feel both are good quality players.
Also, Lagares has not shown more than 10-ish HRs per year with around 15 steals maybe going to 20. I could live with him, but I feel that Conforto and Nimmo are both better offensive players and for the short term can play a passable CF.
Wow. Back to Puig as a renovation project. No thanks. Let the Yankees have him.
Plan B – Encarnacion. Sure, the Mets would have to overpay, but he would make up for losing Cespedes. It would be great to have both. Puig is a huge problem in the clubhouse, not a good fit for a team with a bunch of young players who need leadership. Lets forget Puig. maybe it would be a good time to sell high on Lugo and Gsellman, like they did with Dickey.
Mike,
Encarnation certainly had the offensive production last season, but he did play most of his games at DH last year and he will be 34 when next year starts. I think he is a better fit for an American league club.
Cespedes cannot be allowed to leave. Overpay on a short-term deal. The lineup is not the same without him and there are only so many transformative middle of the order bats like that in baseball. Others are either locked up and unavailable (Trout, Harper, Goldschmidt, Stanton, et al) or have monster contracts (Cabrera, Pujols, Votto). Don’t just look at stats but intangibles. Cespedes is a feared hitter that makes pitchers nervous and the lineup around him better. Guys who put up numbers because they play in Colorado or are surrounded by All-Stars should not be paid like super stars. The Mets have made that mistake too many times (Bonilla, Bay, Bruce, etc) Batman is worth the big bucks, not Robin.
If they can’t get Cespedes, then the front office has to pivot. It’s not as simple as if we don’t get player A let’s spend the money on player B. That’s what got Minaya in trouble. Plan B would be a smart trade or two.
So the dark corner of the Ce$pede$ files is this: His post season play as a Met has been a net negative on all fronts, with the nadir being his 100% overmatched hackfest-at-any-ball-thrown-by-Bumgarner disaster this year.
Is that a concern?
One bad game against the greatest playoff pitcher of this generation hardly reflects negatively on a player.
Ummm, did you watch the World Series last year?
The first step if Cespedes opts should be to pick up Bruce’s option and make a QO to Walker. The article then indicates he departs. If Walker has refused the QO then the Mets should make it a priority to sign Walker to a multi year deal. He is not the solution for losing Cespedes but the Mets can ill afford to lose two professional right hand hitting batters. The Cespedes departure would leave the outfield as LF Conforto, CF Granderson, RF Bruce with Lagares in CF vs LHP and one of the other three three sitting. Although this is less than ideal it is not unmanageable considering that vs LHP Wright (3B), Flores(1B), Lagares (CF), Cabrera (SS), Walker (2B) and d’Arnaud (c) would be starting.
Plan B should be a trades instead of using free agency. Granderson or Bruce for McCann may be appealing to the Yankees, with similar salaries exchanged, while improving the Met anemic catching numbers even though he is a LHB.
Puig sounds like a cancer to avoid. Alderson could do better and I have faith in him.
5 years—140 ‘ish. I have detailed the structure previously—he should be back and he will be back.
If Cespedes did leave, I’d go after Desmond or Fowler to play center. Adds speed to the lineup. I’d also trade Granderson and pick up Michael Saunders to play RF. If he stays I think you still go for a guy like Fowler to play center, less expensive option that gives us a huge boost alongside Reyes in the lineup