Cespedes Pays A Hefty Price For Horsing Around. His 2020 Salary Is Reduced 80%
Mets have won their grievance vs. their often-injured, talented, Cuban Born Outfielder who broke his ankle in a non-sports related accident on his Florida ranch in May of 2019. As a result, Cespedes' 2020 guaranteed salary was drastically reduced from $29.5 million to $6 million which equates to a 80% reduction.
Initially Cespedes' adjusted 2020 salary was posted on Spotrac as $14.8 million, but has been revised to $6 million.
However, with incentives could earn up to $9 million for 2020. Incentives include for plate appearances, if he makes the All Star team, wins a Gold Glove, wins a league or playoff MVP award, etc... He gets extra money if he's traded. If he goes to a AL team he gets a $2,000,000 bonus. If goes to a NL team he gets $500,000.
Cespedes hasn't played since 7/20/18. He was signed by former Mets GM Sandy Alderson to a 4-year $110 million dollar guaranteed contract. In 2018 he played a mere 38 games compiling stats that equated to; 9 HRs 29 RBIs and batted .262.
Cespedes elected during the 2018 season to have season-ending heal surgery on both heels to remove bone calcification. It's amazing (not Amazin) to think in three season he's played 119 games collectively.
No one can question how Cespedes was the offensive spark plug that got the Mets to the World Series in 2015 as well as into the 2016 postseason via a one game wild card game vs. the Giants.
After the Mets acquired Cespedes in 2015 in a trade with the Tigers at the trading deadline. His 57 games of production at the plate resulted in 17 HRs and 44 RBIs and a .287 batting average. He was the Mets offensive catalyst.
In 2016 he put up big numbers in 132 games; 31 HRs, 86 RBIs, batting .280. He opted-out of his 3-year $75 million deal with the Mets after one year and declared himself a free agent. Mets wasted no time to keep him in New York.
Mets fans celebrated when he was re-signed. Out of principle I can clearly understand why CEO Fred Wilpon, who's known to be frugal, and the Mets filed the grievance. His injury was clearly suspicious and logically you thought it had to be from horsing around on his ranch; pun intended.
What irritated many people, including myself, was his lack of hustle to return and rehab quickly to get back on the field to help his team. Instead he lackadaisically seem to drag this out while collecting big paychecks. Upon getting his 4-year deal, he flashed his wealth by driving to spring training with new cars on almost a daily basis and showing up on horses and with farm animals. How ridiculous and hard it was for the average Joe to see.
Just imagine if he was a member of the Mets in 2019. Mickey Callaway might still be the Mets manager. Cespedes presence in the lineup alone would of likely pushed the Mets into the postseason instead of finishing 10 games over .500 and coming close to making the playoffs.
When I first saw Cespedes compete in the HR Derby while with Oakland I was impressed with his power. He's unquestionably was, and may still be? an offensive force. However, he's 34 now and will be playing for another contract as he will be an Unrestricted Free Agent in 2021.
I can assure you no team in their right mind will give him a long-term for big money. If he returns and plays well in 2019, he could end-up with a one or two year deal.
Now that the price is right, if he comes back and plays well a AL team could coming call and use him as a rental to get them into or thru their playoff run.
Thank goodness for the 25-year-old Mets power-hitting star (53 HRs) Pete Alonso, who already seems to do all the right things and gives back.
