Mets free agency: Mets and three other teams are top contenders for Yoenis Cespedes

Even though Yoenis Cespedes opted out of his contract with the Mets and rejected their qualifying offer, there’s still a chance that he returns to Queens in 2017. Mike Puma of the New York Post tweeted on Wednesday that the outstanding outfielder is preparing to decide between New York and three other teams for his next contract.

Cespedes is expected to make his choice by early December, and the new deal will presumably be greater than the three-year, $75 million one that he just stepped out of. With Jay Bruce already in tow for one more year, the Mets are prepared to move on without Cespedes, but the team will have a much better prospects in 2017 if he re-signs.

Should the Cuban slugger sign elsewhere, New York could potentially look towards other options on the market such as Jose Bautista, Steve Pearce, or Dexter Fowler.

In 2016, his first full season with the Mets, Cespedes hit .280/.354/.530 while leading the team with 31 home runs and 86 RBI. He also made the second All-Star Game appearance of his career and led New York to the postseason for the second straight season since he joined the club at the 2015 trade deadline.