Yoenis Céspedes Eyes MLB Comeback with New York Mets

Yoenis Céspedes, a former Major League Baseball outfielder whose last appearance dates back to 2020, has expressed his desire for a return to the sport, specifically with the New York Mets. Céspedes made this public on Wednesday during an Instagram live stream, wherein he stated, «I’m ready to play but just for the Mets.» At 39 years old, the Cuban native is seeking to make a comeback with the team that he played a pivotal role for during their 2015 World Series journey.

Initially joining the Mets at the trade deadline in 2015, Céspedes quickly became a key player. In 57 regular season games, he posted an impressive .287/.337/.604 batting line, with 17 home runs and 44 RBIs. However, his performance dipped in the post-season, where he struggled offensively despite contributing two home runs against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Division Series. The Mets eventually lost the World Series to the Kansas City Royals in five games.

Céspedes was subsequently re-signed by the Mets in 2016 under a lucrative three-year, $75 million deal, which included an opt-out clause he exercised after the first year. This led to another significant contract: a four-year, $110 million deal before the 2017 season. However, his tenure with the team was marred by injuries, including surgeries to remove calcifications from both heels and a broken ankle sustained while at his ranch. His injuries limited him to just 127 games from 2017 to 2020.

Céspedes opted out of the shortened 2020 season due to COVID-19 concerns, leaving the Mets in the middle of a series against the Atlanta Braves. This decision marked the end of his association with the team. Despite this departure, he recently reaffirmed his commitment to the Mets during a ceremonial appearance at Citi Field, where he caught the first pitch from Matt Harvey, another former Mets player, before a National League Championship Series game.

Since his last major league appearance, Céspedes has remained largely out of professional baseball, briefly participating with Águilas Cibaeñas in the Dominican Winter League during the 2022-23 season. In 2021, he held a showcase in Fort Pierce, Florida, which was attended by 11 MLB teams, yet his unwillingness to play in the minor leagues hindered potential discussions with the Mets.

Throughout his MLB career, Céspedes played for the Oakland Athletics, Boston Red Sox, and Detroit Tigers, alongside the Mets, after defecting from Cuba in 2011. His performance with the Mets included a .279/.344/.539 batting line, 76 home runs, and 205 RBIs, with accolades like a National League All-Star selection and an 8th place finish in the 2016 NL MVP voting.