Yoenis Cespedes says he is planning to do something that is extremely uncommon for a professional athlete — turn down the opportunity to get a massive raise.
Cespedes, who is once again producing big numbers for the New York Mets this season, signed a three-year contract with the team this past winter. The total deal is worth $75 million, but Cespedes has the ability to opt out of the final two years and $47.5 million after this season. However, he claims he is not planning to exercise that option.
Matt Ehalt of The Record recently asked Cespedes — who was speaking through an interpreter — if he intends to honor all three years of his current contract in New York. His answer was simple.
“Yes,” the 30-year-old said.
Cespedes is hitting .295 this season with 25 home runs, 64 RBI and an OPS of .935. He helped lead the Mets to the World Series last year and genuinely seems to like playing at Citi Field, but he is expected to be the top free agent on the market this winter. Many predict he will be offered a contract in the six-year, $100 million range. Is Cespedes really willing to turn down long-term security and an extra $50 million or so in guaranteed money?
Maybe so. Or maybe the Mets will reward his loyalty (Cespedes turned down a five-year offer from the Washington Nationals last offseason) by signing him to an extension anyway. The slugger has been saying all year that he would like to stay in New York. While his contract is team-friendly, the Mets would miss him doing things like this at the plate if Cespedes changes his mind.
H/T NJ.com
