3:23pm: Céspedes will indeed opt out of the season, Mets GM Brodie Van Wagenen confirmed to reporters including Heyman. Thankfully, Céspedes is safe and healthy, but concerns about the risks of COVID-19 informed his decision to sit out the remainder of the year.
Thus concludes one of the more confusing and concerning stories of the 2020 season thus far. As Tim Britton of The Athletic reports, Van Wagenen and the Mets were unsure of Céspedes’s safety or location at the time of their initial statement, which was issued in the interest of transparency. After dispatching a security outfit to Céspedes’s hotel room, they discovered that he had left, and it was only when contacting his agent that the team learned of his decision not to play the rest of the season.
With his decision, Céspedes’s Mets tenure has reached its presumed conclusion, with his contract set to expire at season’s end. And perhaps today’s nebulous saga was the only fitting way to wrap up the 34-year-old’s Mets career, which has been a captivating spectacle for Mets fans, from his 2015 heroics to the contentious injuries that cost him nearly two whole years.
Céspedes becomes the 20th player to opt out of the season (not counting Nick Markakis, who reversed his decision and will play this year), and the latest in a string of players to have done so since COVID-19 outbreaks within the ranks of the Marlins and Cardinals over the last week.
It doesn’t appear that Céspedes has opted out in relation to an existing health condition, and if he isn’t considered a “high-risk” individual, he will forfeit the prorated amount of his base $11MM salary for the season, and will reach free agency in the offseason. To be sure, Céspedes is comparatively well-positioned to absorb a year without pay, given his hefty career earnings; still, it’s significant given the precipitous decrease in salary he’s seen over the last two years, with his 2019 and 2020 salaries both taking hits due to the circumstances surrounding his ankle injuries.
From a baseball perspective, the Mets will be nicely equipped to deal with Céspedes’s absence for the rest of the year, with a stocked position player group that includes a handful of DH and left-field options. Céspedes had been off to a slow start this year, striking out 15 times in 34 plate appearances and batting just .161/.235/.387 for the season. His departure should in fact give some clarity to the Mets’ lineup, with Dominic Smith likely handling the bulk of DH duty from now on, while J.D. Davis settles into a regular role in left field.
We’ll have to wait and see what the future holds for Céspedes, who will hit the open market this winter for the first time in his career. Of course, he has a track record of great success since defecting from Cuba in 2012, but injuries have sullied the last few years of his career, making it difficult to detect whether he’s still capable of producing like he did in 2015, for example. This would have been his year to prove that, but prospective suitors will instead have to take a gamble on a polarizing player.
1:18pm: As their Sunday matchup with the Braves got underway, the New York Mets announced that outfielder Yoenis Céspedes’s whereabouts are unknown. The Mets released the following statement:
“As of game time, Yoenis Céspedes has not reported to the ballpark today. He did not reach out to management with any explanation for his absence. Our attempts to contact him have been unsuccessful.”
Obviously, this is a concerning situation for all involved, even more so given the stringent nature of COVID-19 protocols. Further details are not known at this time. We’ll provide any updates as they come in.
The Mets, as one would expect, are doing what they can to locate Céspedes. For what it’s worth, SNY’s Andy Martino has heard that the team has “no reason to believe that Céspedes’ safety is at risk” at this time.
Per MLB Network’s Jon Heyman, there’s speculation across the league that Céspedes intends to opt out of the 2020 season, which would certainly offer some insight into his absence today. However, if that is indeed Céspedes’s decision, he has not yet declared it to the Mets, according to an earlier report from Bob Nightengale of USA Today.
Hope he’s OK
This is extremely serious. Historically when this has happened it hasn’t turned out well.
Maybe he’s just doing his best Yordan Alvarez impression
This isn’t funny.
I’m genuinely worried as well, just trying to lighten the mood. Still want to know what’s up with Yordan as well, his whole situation is weird too.
Agreed. This could be very serious. Let’s wait to hear more before posting comments that will be regrettable soon.
I don’t get it.
Well now we’re good!
It kind of is, it’s such a Mets thing to happen. This is the second time he’s gonna miss the season without telling the team first
You need to recharge your sense of humor!
If it was anyone other than Yoenis Cespedes I might have been more concerned. Opting out without bothering to tell anyone is 100% on brand.
He went to Boston for a short time and after watching his work habits up close they made no effort to try and keep him.
He is at the point in his career where he is more trouble than what it would cost to sign him.
Someone should call the Cheetah Lounge.
His Mets contract is now over
If you were genuinely worried about him, that just goes to show what’s enabled him to become the type of person that he is. Learn to be a better judge of people’s character.
The wild boar has returned for his prey
Right now, everyone should be hoping he’s okay. That’s all.
Well, poorly named Sherlock, Cespedes is just fine. Just decided, apparently, to opt out of the season. I guess he forgot to tell anyone on the team. What a clown!
the fact that is playing like JUNK might also have something to do with it.
The wild boar has returned to claim its prey
Not the time
Are you the Time Decider?
What you need is some editorial skill in your self-expression. Between impulse and action, there is a realm of good taste begging for your acquaintance.
Let me be the first to welcome you to the internet. Have you been here long?
Please give background
Some big words there!
You must be one of them smart folk!
this.
meaning, I agree wholeheartedly @WiffleBall
My money is on Sherlock finding him before the Mets do.
Same stupid comment twice?
You jealous?
nothing good seems to be happening when sports players to go Atlanta. hopefully this isnt serious.
Our 12th Man?
Wow.. no text or tik Tok? Lol
Who hasnt gotten drunk and slept in.
You don’t think they would have checked his room since they are on the road?
Anyone know the whereabouts of Doc and Darryl?
Doc did a signing up here near Philly last year. i shouldve gone – it must have been interesting.
Boy….this is a typical Mets situation. It’s amazin all the problems that organization has had. Maybe with new ownership…….
They aren’t called “the Amazin’s” for nothing.
Cespedes’ contract expires after the season. The Mets would be insane to even consider bringing him back even at league minimum. Move on and let him be someone else’s headache going forward.
He might play better for the league minimum. Something to prove.
He’ll be 35 next year, he’s not at a point where he can play out a year to prove something.
Took TradeRumors long enough, I emailed you an hour ago about it.
this isnt a breaking news site. they usually report on news after they have a bit more info on a situation.
It’s not a breaking news site, sure. But it is a rumor site. So technically even a sniff of news can be reported… as it doesn’t have to be factual to be a rumor
Grow up Darkside, it’s a site that reports on all things MLB.
grow up? im not the one demanding prompt news on a free site that gets stuff right in the end.
Breaking news for you mvfreep: you are not considered a reliable source. Actually, most of us dont even read your comments
I gotta laugh at that, Clepto… how would you know what most people do and don’t read?
Thank you for your service. You are a true hero.
Ooooooh, you’re good! You should start your OWN site!!
Ya shoulda been out looking for Yoenis.
What would this site do without heros like you emailing them tips.
Maybe they don’t trust you.
I wonder if he’s played his last game for the Mets.
Assuming nothing nefarious has happened to him, of course.
<—— long time Mets fan. Good riddance!
When we first signed him I wondered why three teams were in such a hurry to move him. He was producing in the middle of orders, young enough and under contractual control.
But it didn’t take long to see the showboating, lack of effort, no hustle, self centered player he was. He never even learn a little english to better communicate with the media or his organization and seemed to only focus when he had a chance to be a hero. He only played when they were near first place or when he was in a situation to garnish headlines or a spotlight. Any time he deemed the Mets were not in contention or he had nothing to gain, he shut himself down.
Bailing on his team, packing his bags, setting up travel arrangements and physically disappearing without any discussion with his manager or coaching staff is simply typical. If his agent had any knowledge of this and did not inform the Mets, he should be heavily fined and blacklisted.
I never get when fans blame a player for injuries. This last incident aside (I’m not excusing the way he handled it), Cespedes has been a good teammate, he was just injured much of the time. Injuries he played through with for quite a while. He “he shut himself down” cuz he needed major surgery. Players don’t choose to be injured.
Matt Harvey has too much influence on Cepedes
Hey MLB Trade Rumors.. the Twins Put Homer Bailey on the DL
is that news? its news when he isnt on the IL
Lol
E.T. phoned Yoenis last night. Picked him up this morning. Might grab Puig while he’s here.
Cespedes is not the only person missing in Atlanta…….
Hey there. How are the Braves doing? =D
What is up with the Mets? I mean for the last 20+ years, it’s been one weird disaster after another…
It is bad right now but once they get new owners, things will change. Unlike in Atlanta, the same BS for who knows how long.
Damn those Braves and their winning ways. They’re 6-3 now and have had a winning team the last two years in a row. God they suck. =D
You going to sit here act like the Mets didn’t just beat themselves . If the Mets didn’t play didn’t go like 8-88 with RISP you guys would probably be 4-5
You absolutely cannot discredit the Braves wins. They’ve owned this division the last few years and they continue to do so this year.
Your using the Mets inability to score runs when a runner is in scoring position as a defense? You know, teams scoring when a runner is in scoring position is kind of important to a winning team. You could just say the obvious. That the Mets simply haven’t been playing well and that the Braves have simply been better than them.
You serously don’t think the Braves got lucky in some of those games???? Really? Not to mention you are facing a team that is missing their 2-3….. the Braves aren’t anything special… it’s takes luck to have a 0.67 avg with RISP…. Braves probably willl still win division but don’t act like you have dominated this Ik year when you could easily be 4-5 and the Mets could have been 7-3 if things just went different ways…
They aren’t dominated… they could have easily lost 4 of the 5 games they won against the Mets…. Diaz one strike away. Blowing a 6 run lead. Hitting 0.67 with RISP… this series could have gone way different… it’s not domination. Don’t let the record fool you.. the Mets are also missing 3 relievers and 2 starters who are better than most Braves pitchers
Everyone points to what ifs. The Mets were built on pitching. Everyone knows pitching is the most combustible position on the diamond so yes, the Braves are a better team. They have a more stable core. That’s not luck. The fact that the Mets are bad with runners in scoring position is not the Braves getting lucky. That just means the Mets stink right now. But if what you REALLY mean is that the Mets are more terrible than the Braves are good, I can except that as an answer as well.
As for your RISP stats, it must be convenient to point to luck so you don’t have to except reality. Alonso has seen a good number of those RISP opportunities but if you strike out as much as he is, you aren’t going to do much damage, now are you? His inability to even put the ball in play is not the Braves getting lucky.
Don’t just go posting a batting average with RISP and think that’s the complete story either. Weak contact and grounding into double plays is not the Braves getting lucky. Since you’re making this your argument, how about you post some stats that validate your claim such as the Mets Hard-Hit rate and BABIP because striking out and grounding into double plays just means the Mets stink right now. And if you post those stats, maybe you could provide a link so I can see your claims for myself.
They could have easily we in any of those games, but they didn’t. Bad teams lose close games all the time. I hate the Braves, but they beat the Mets. No excuses.
Yep. I offer no excuses for the Braves in loosing both road games against the Devil Rays. When your 1-3 batters are doing what they did, it’s what happens. Braves already know that pitching is going to be inconsistent so if your line up can’t seem to get the ball past the pitchers mound, you’re just going to lose games.
If ifs and buts were candy and nuts every freaking day would be Christmas.
Was that Sheldon’s line from Big Bang, or did someone else say it before him?
It’s too early to say whether the Braves or the Mets are the better team. All you can say is that, so far, the Braves have played better.
I guess the Braves hitting bloopers and groundballs that find a hole isn’t good luck either??? Just look at the first inning of the game the Mets blew a 6 run lead and tell me that isn’t luck…
You must be new to baseball if you think LUCK is a solid foundation for an argument.
@MetsFan22
I think any team would be ecstatic when hitting .670 with RISP. However, hitting .067 with RISP is a different story.
Of course bloops are good fortune. Every team gets them. I’m saying that the Mets didn’t lose because they were unlucky or because the Braves were lucky. The players that are responsible for driving in the most runs, Cespedes and Alonso have been dreadful, amongst others. They haven’t exactly been smashing the cover off the ball with weak grounders and strikeouts. Bloopers can also be caused by bad defense which Cano is. Did you miss the Albies blooper that landed right beside Cano and not behind or in front of him? If you think it was just a matter of luck, you’re only fooling yourself.
You really think blowing a 6 run lead points to bad luck? I would call that bad pitching. Losing a run or two of a lead like that MIGHT be luck but I just can’t see how pointing to this is just bad luck.
Exactly what I said. It’s weird how one organization has struggled so much to get out of their own way. Good thing Bobby Bonilla still gets paid…
That’s what makes them such a fun team to follow.
Ehh its not that cut and dry-
Last 20 years WS played in
Mets- 2
Philly- 2
Wash-1
Mia-1
Atl-0
And they are only 1 of 2 teams to rep the Nl east in the last 10 years (obv Wash last year the other) ….Its been a rocky ride but not as bad as the majority make it out to be…Im sure the other team on the other side of town has something to do with it as well) * Its been 11yrs since the Yanks went to the WS 5 since the Mets did*
i.c.e. got him
He’s mad because the cardboard fans wouldn’t talk to him.
I’d be more concerned if the cardboard fans DID talk to him….
Maybe they did and that’s why no one has seen him.
these got progressively funnier
With all those violent swing and misses, would not be surprised to hear both him arms are too sore to pick up a phone… and alonso is going the same route
I hope this is a case of wild turkey not wild boar
This is really strange… there’s no reason for him to go missing. If he decided to opt out he can just opt out. I doubt he’s simply playing hooky…. I hope he is okay and this was just miscommunication.
If I went 0-for-4 and were hitting .160 while playing in Atlanta, I’d hop down to South Beach and get a guaranteed two weeks off…..
Seriously though, this guy needs to answer his phone
BREAKING NEWS:
Yoenis is found at last! Inside a lost shaker of salt. How he got here, I haven’t got a clue? Some people claim that there’s a woman to blame- Jimmy Buffet
For right now, I’m just hoping he’s ok.
Really?
Shto problema?
Weird to release a cryptic team statement and then carry on with the game like nothing is wrong.
Hope he’s okay and this is him just mulling his future or considering opting out.
The Mets statement is horrendously cryptic. They back peddled a little bit saying “We have no reason to believe he’s in any danger” or something of that nature. Add all this with the Hamilton trade and you get the feeling the team knows more than they’re saying. Bottom line, I hope Cespedes and his family are okay.
If his room was ransacked or his personal items still there, yeah, you can be worried. But everything packed up and gone? He just quit on his team. Again.
What’s wrong with a little extra time with a hooker.
so obviously he is not in his hotel room dead or alive or we would have known by now.
So the hotel security cams inside and out are being scoured to see when he left if he left with anyone and if he had his bags packed.
Hopefully he didnt know the Clinton’s
If a Clinton was president, the USA might not be the #1 coronavirus hotspot in the world.
No, cey hey, USA would be number 1 in the solar system.
Cool lazy catchphrase, person who accused Clint0n of being a murderer and believes POTUS actually shut the country down.
Hey, now.
That cey hey guy is not working in order to protect us all from Covid.
Very altruistic.
Uh?
I’ll wager he’s donating his unemployment & stimulus checks to Covid-19 research, too.
I’m *sure* he’s not cashing those just so he can simply eat Fruit Loops by the handful, while wearing an outfit similar to Winnie the Pooh’s, and post his COVID HOTTAKES incessantly on every thread at MLBTR.
That would be disappointing.
:(
does he have a cell phone? Of course, and the Mets can trace him, but they are not saying.
My guess is he left the US and went to Russia, to work with Eric Swalwell
Keep in mind, it is the Mets who have not heard from him. Just the Mets. From the Mets second statement it makes it seem like Ces is just fine. He just didn’t want to show up. I hope this is the case.
Hoping he’s okay, but the Mets saying they don’t fear for his safety suggests this isn’t unexpected. Could it be that something happened last night in the Mets clubhouse that possibly led to this? Players have gone AWOL like this before.
i heard reports that he opted out and the Mets are bungling the PR. it’s all rumors at this point though. just hope he’s okay.
How does a team bungle announcing that? Oh, wait. It’s the Mets. Aside from the broadcast booth, they need a rebuild in every area possible.
Well it turns out the rumors were true. He opted out. What a PR mess.
Total ineptitude. It’ll take more than a new owner throwing money around to fix the New York Mess.
They are in Atlanta. Did anyone check Lou Williams’ strip club? He may have just wanted some chicken wings.
Opting out on a walk year is kind of risky
My theory, his playing time was going to be cut due to poor performance. He wasn’t happy. With coronavirus being a big factor, he didn’t feel being a bench player was worth it.
Yoenis Cespedes has made $143.9 million in salary. He is not risking anything. We all wish we had that kind of clout in this situation. More power to him. I respect and admire his decision.
Take a minor league deal and move on
Maybe he thought this season was too boaring. All jokes aside, don’t fault anyone for opting out after the Marlins/Cardinals fiasco.
I think he was looking for a excuse too opt out.
Every player in baseball has an excuse to opt out. The season should not be played.
I think starting in RF for the A’s in Seattle.
Anybody know if Bobby Bonilla opted out this year?
hes still showing ppl the bronx
Bonilla hasn’t opted out. The Mets will still be paying three years after the Dodgers are finished paying Mookie Betts.
ouch
Ouch? Really? Sure they are paying him a long time, but it is about a million a year. All this hoopla with Bonilla over the salary of a veteran middle reliever or a veteran bench bat.
Thanks for the laugh bobtillman. Needed that after the many sky-is-falling only thinking the worse commenters on here.
what a mess he made
Hitting 161 with half your ab’s as strikeouts will make a guy do that…think he opts out if he was hitting 400 with 4 homers and 25 rbis?
So maybe Pete Alonso needs to opt-out because his performance has been no better than Cespedes’. It’s humorous that Mets fans thought Alonso would repeat and everyone else would have a career year at the plate. Meanwhile, they have the worst defense in the game, thin pitching, and poor organizational depth. It’ll take more than a new owner tossing around money to fix that trainwreck of a franchise. A rebuild is needed from the ground up. Horrible team. Yet a couple of weeks ago, you told me they would beat the Dodgers in a playoff series.
You better go back and look at every alonso post i was ever on.. never claimed he do it again..and now for the 3rd time ,what would you have done differently that this pres didnt do
You forgot the mention we are missing our 2-3 starters who are actually better than most 2-3s….
The Braves losing two starters and tell me how they do.
The Mets also lost the games. The other team didn’t win. Mets could be 7-3 rn… Ik it’s part of baseball but don’t act like they are garbage. Good teams have gone 3-7 especially without two primers starters.
Don’t give me Hamels and Felix … I would gladly lose Wacha and Porcello
Mets injuries are killer. No doubt, but the Braves lost starters last year and won the division. The Braves had and have depth. The Mets don’t. The Mets needed the bullpen to click. It’s not. Everyone considered it a huge strength, it’s been their biggest weakness. It’s still early. Even in a shortened season the Mets can turn it around, but I think the Mets bullpen and defense are amongst the worst in baseball. Combine that with some tough breaks and I don’t see them recovering, but I’d be foolish to count them out. This lineup can go on a tear. So far the Mets played 1 good team 6 times and 1 terrible team 4 times. I’m curious how they do against Nats, Phillies….etc. Teams more on their level.
I agree with your our defense is so bad… but I think with stroman and Thor our season isn’t going as bad rn… probably doing good.. I think with the two we are probably on the Braves level. (Ik nobody thinks that) but looks at the lineups. Their lineup isn’t as deep. we probably messed up so much to begin with that the Braves are probably not getting caught by the Mets bc of 60 game season. But I’m personally think the Nats and Phillies will struggle too . So I see the 2nd place as a possibility too.
I don’t value Stroman and Syndergaard as highly as you do. In fact, I think Syndergaard is one of the most overrated pitchers in baseball. And while I certainly think this injuries are huge, starting pitching hasn’t been the real problem here. Too many automatic outs in an otherwise solid lineup lead to a ton of runners being stranded. Awful defense is killing them. And of course the bullpen. Betances has lost a ton of velocity and Diaz is showing us that 2019 was not a fluke. I think Cespedes leaving actually helps the Mets lineup. The defense is going to remain a problem all year as is the bullpen. As for competing with the Phillies and Nats, absolutely. The Phillies continue their struggles against the Marlins and have now been on ice for 2 weeks because of another team’s reckless actions. The Phillies are going to struggle getting their timing back, and they already didn’t look great against the Marlins. I think the Nats aren’t really that far ahead of the Mets. So I’m with you. This team is not done. They’re just not that impressive either. Plenty of time left.
I think Thor if ovverated I’d you think he is elite… but I don’t know how many teams have better twos than him. And how many teams have better 3 than stro. Even if you disagree with me there. You have to admit that the difference between those two and Wacha/Porcello is huge… we might not be using our horrible bullpen as much if stro and Thor were pitching instead
I like Wheeler over Syndergaard to be honest,but I totally agree with your point. The injuries hurt no doubt.
From your commenting name, you sound like a West Coast guy/gal so here goes!
First, not a Mets fan…..but you seem to think you know quite a bit about a team/fans that obviously don’t like very much…..but here’s a news flash…you don’t know squat!.
Secondly, the Wilsons will never…never be accused of “throwing their money around”….they’re well knows as extremely cheap and probably only the Rays are cheaper then considering any free agent signing.
As far as pitching, well wrong again brainiac…..they’re pitching is as good as anyone’s in the NL East and with this crazy year in baseball….well who knows!
Defensively, again not being a fan, not to up on how they compare but they certainly are not the “worst defense in the game” as you “knowingly” say!
Depth…well again not being a fan, a little weak on saying anything but your depth comment don’t mean sh_t based on the rest of your analyzation.
Cespedes is the epitome of the modern ballplayer…all for themselves…wouldn’t surprise me if his agent and he cooked this up, with the promise of a lucrative free agent contract that might be hurt if he actually played this year and was ordinary/bad at best.
Anyway, so much for your “train wreck of a franchise” assessment to many of us back in the NY tri-state area!
Pete Alonso is a completely different type of human being than Cespedes. Please don’t ever compare the two.
Right now, Alonso and Cespedes both cannot hit. I think it’s fair to compare them as the OP did. Hopefully Alonso figures it out, but he had a horrendous spring too. I think he’ll be fine, but it’s troubling.
Oh no Pete Alonso just got gored by a wild hog
One thing about Pete is that, I believe, he’ll keep working and accepting coaching advice.
Doesn’t bother me that he opted out. But, randomly not showing up to the facility on game day/not answering or getting in touch with anyone to inform them of what’s going through your head, knowing very well that everyone is wondering where you are, is d-bag move. Reminiscent of Vintage Davis quitting at half time.
He’s a joke. I’m shocked some of the good folks here were genuinely concerned for his safety
We don’t know any details. It’s possible he called someone and they forgot to deliver the message. This is the Mets we’re talking about.
It’s also possible he told his agent of his decision and his agent told him just to leave, and the agent never bothered to call the Mets. Brodie was his agent at CAA, so there could be some bad blood either between Brodie and Cespedes or whoever took over his representation after Brodie left, particularly after the contract modification.
I understand 99% of players opting out and have no issue. Céspedes and his past issues are an entirely different breed of cat.
I agree, but could have gone about it a totally different way. Simple phone call or text message. Airplane with sign behind, take an ad on the big screen at the game. So many ways to communicate one thing
We’re taking the Mets word for it that he didn’t communicate. I wouldn’t be surprised if we later found out he did communicate, but the left hand didn’t tell the right hand.
Has Cespedes EVER communicated to anyone?
Of the 20 players who have opted out, two have Type 1 diabetes. We don’t know of any underlying conditions that the other 18 may have. Some may, but we would not know unless they disclose because MLB does reveal health conditions unrelated to injuries. Other may have loved ones who are vulnerable and chose not to spend the entire season away from them. So, it would be fairer to say that as many of 90 percent of those who opted out have no underlying conditions themselves.
Posey and Zimmerman have newborns at home
MLB is not permitted to release player health issues. HIPPA laws. The player would have to grant permission
I’m thinking the season won’t last long.
Cespedes Clown Show.
Mets probably should have waited for more information before announcing so quickly that he didn’t show up for the game and hadn’t been heard from. Announcing he’s out of the lineup for unknown reasons would have been sufficient at that point.
Huh? Mets did nothing wrong. They’re the victims of social parasitism.
Way to leave your teammates, manager, and employer twisting in the wind. They could’ve spent that time searching for a potential replacement instead trying find out if you’re alive and well. Opting out is his prerogative but there’s no excuse for non-communication.
The least he could do was give proper notice to a team that’s paid him well for not playing much. Now Mets can Bank his salary and DH Cano.
Let Smith DH… Cano is actually their best option at second, unless you wanna roll with Gimenez. Davis worse at third than Cano is at second.
“We’ll have to wait and see what the future holds for Céspedes, who will hit the open market this winter for the first time in his career.”
He’s hit the open market twice already. He didn’t change teams either of the first two times but he still hit the open market.
Wow, if you wanted to play golf and go horseback riding on your rancho why didn’t you just say so from the beginning, hombre? smh
Because there was probably something in his contract that made him show up and then he and his agent cooked up this Opt out scenario.
Must be nice getting accepted by a new country for your talent in a particular profession, only to say “I don’t feel like doing my job.” If I did that I’d get canned. Screw this guy.
He definitely handled this poorly by not even showing up today. Hopefully teams will remember this next year when he is looking for a contract.
Yep and it’s unlikely he’ll field many offers since he’s a full-time DH at this point and didn’t hit well while playing this year.
This whole last year between the Mets and Cespedes was weird, from the injury on his ranch to the restructuring of the contract to whatever this is.
If the Mets promised him consistent playing time for him taking such a huge pay cut then I kind of get it but whatever, it doesn’t matter what I think, their relationship needed to end one way or another.
still lol at your 1st paragraph.. “…to whatever this is”
PUIG is awaiting the mets phone call
Mets will be better off without him. He was a distraction. A distraction who was batting under 200
He opted out after he signed his extension.
BREAKING NEWS:
The Mets have just retired Yoenis Céspedes #52 jersey for robbing them blindly the past 4 years. Next year he gets his wish to play for his favorite manager Bob Melvin in Oakland and guarantees the A’s a lst round playoff exit. What a gem. A win-win for Cespes & the Mets!
What an idiot. Complained about playing time. Guy missed two seasons. You are off to a terrible start. Roster has five extra players. You are going to get days off. Start hitting and you won’t be part of the rotation of players getting off days. Quite simple.
Thank you for 2015-2016. Amazing memories. But goodbye and don’t let the door hit you on the rump on your way out.
Time to improve defense put smith on firstbase and whopper alonso DH
Now all we need is for Cano to opt out
I don’t have an issue with Yoenis Cespedes opting out of the season. I do have an issue with him not telling anyone within his organization that he was opting out of the season. He probably killed any chance of extending his career in MLB with that move. Even if he had opted out, but done so professionally, some team would have spent some cash on a 1 year deal to try to get some value out of him in the future. After he just walks out on his team like that, I think he’s basically blacklisted himself from getting another chance in the majors.
The fact that he has struck out in literally half of his AB’s may have something to do with it. Hasn’t looked good at the plate all season
He best near plates that have nothing to do with baseball
He was probably 30/50 pounds over is gameshape this guy dont wants a play
The dinero went to his mind too much
He has tested positive for another LAMBO. !
So he is opting out of yet another season.
Mr. CLASSLESS
TradeRumors keeps deleting my comment. Annoying, no explanation. I expressed my concern that he was in trouble because Atlanta crime has been outrageous lately due to local politics. I’m glad he’s ok, but I’d like to understand why my comments keep getting deleted. It’s a true statement
Convenient excuse for no-showing a game. Usually you notify your employer before you miss a game. We will never know the real reason he didn’t bother showing up to the game.
Although the law of averages will even things out, the Mets have been historically garbage in stranding runners so far this season, averaging 8.9 runners stranded per game. If held for a whole season, that’d beat the 1941 St. Louis Browns record of 8.7 per game…
#KeepTheMetsWeird
UPDATE: Céspedes was spotted at the mall yesterday!
mobile.twitter.com/Starting9/status/12903096533817…
Seems very concerned about Covid!