Yoenis Cespedes still too expensive for the Mets

Yoenis Cespedes is still too expensive for the Mets, says Kristie Ackert in the Daily News, as the outfielder is said to be seeking a contract in the six-year, $120 million range. Instead, as assistant general manager John Ricco said last week, the Mets are looking at a lower tier of outfielders.

Ackert's report cites the Mets' concerns with the 30-year-old Cespedes's age, his struggles in center field during the World Series, and his desire to sign a long-term contract. The Mets traded pitching prospects Michael Fulmer and Luis Cessa to the Detroit Tigers for Cespedes at the trade deadline, and he went on to hit extremely well in his time with the team. In 57 regular season games with the Mets, Cespedes hit .287/.337/.604 with 17 home runs and a 157 wRC+. In total, he hit .291/.328/.542 with 35 home runs and a 135 wRC+ in the 2015 season before struggling with a .222/.232/.352 line and two home runs in the playoffs.

With the retirement of Michael Cuddyer and the acquisitions of Neil Walker and Asdrubal Cabrera, the Mets' payroll for 2016 stands at approximately $89.5 million.