UPDATE: The deal is official.
.@ynscspds on returning to the #Mets. #GotYoBack pic.twitter.com/syAm8hokOb
— New York Mets (@Mets) January 27, 2016
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The New York Mets have responded to their fan base.
Yoenis Cespedes has agreed to a three-year contract worth $75 million, pending a physical, according to the latest rumors. Cespedes gets an opt-out clause after the first year of the deal as well as a full no-trade clause. He'll make $27.5 million during the 2016 MLB season.
ESPN's Jim Bowden first reported a deal between the two sides was close and "could get done tonight." Jon Heyman was the first to note the Mets and Cespedes agreed to the deal. FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal provided the financial details (he also notes there is no deferred money).
This means Cespedes will pass up the five-year offer from the Washington Nationals, which was reported last night. It was believed to be in the $100 million range. Instead, he'll earn the highest average annual salary of any position player that signed a contract this offseason.
Previous rumors suggested the Cespedes sweepstakes were down to the Mets and Nationals, but Heyman reported earlier on Friday night that there were more clubs involved. Other MLB clubs that were linked to the slugger as of late include the Los Angeles Angels, Chicago White Sox, Houston Astros, Texas Rangers and San Diego Padres.
It appears as if the reports suggesting Cespedes wanted to re-sign with New York were true, considering he accepted a short-term deal and eventually gave into the Mets' demands since they were unwilling to offer more than three years.
The move by the Mets prevented the Nationals from taking away another crucial player from New York's 2015 World Series team. It also further establishes them as one of the best teams in the National League.
Stay tuned for an official announcement or any other updates on the signing of Cespedes.
