6 Possible Replacements Should Yoenis Cespedes Leave The Mets
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Another offseason, another "will he or won't he re-sign" saga is brewing between Yoenis Cespedes and the Mets.
The slugger will reportedly opt out of the final two years and $47.5 million of his contract, making him a free agent this winter.
While there is still hope Cespedes and the Amazins could work out a deal, it's also possible the Mets might have to sign another power hitter to replace him.
Here are six free-agent possibilities:
Jose Bautista, Toronto
The two-time American League home run champ is coming off an injury-plagued season in which he hit .234 with 22 homes and 69 RBIs. "Joey Bats" obviously would bring a lot of pop to the Mets' lineup, but his recent injuries (a knee sprain and turf toe) and his age (36) are concerns.
Ian Desmond, Texas
Desmond, 31, proved to be a bargain for Texas this past season. After signing a one-year, $8 million contract in late February, he batted .285 with 22 homers and 86 RBIs. He won't come as cheaply this time around, but the two-time All-Star still could be a more affordable alternative to Cespedes.
Mark Trumbo, Baltimore
Trumbo, 30, will be looking to cash in with a long-term contract after leading the majors with 47 homers last season. However, he has a career on-base percentage of just .303, which might make him a bit too much like Jay Bruce in that regard.
Michael Saunders, Toronto
Saunders, 29, broke out in 2015, batting .253 with 24 home runs and 57 RBIs. However, he hit just .186 with five homers and 11 RBIs over the final two months of the season, which might make him a bit too much like Jay Bruce in that regard.
Matt Holliday, St. Louis
Once one of the best all-around hitters in baseball, Holliday is now 36. He hit a career-low .246 this past season -- was it an aberration or a sign of decline? But he still packs good power, hitting 20 homers in 110 games. Holliday insists he has a lot of good baseball left in him.
Edwin Encarnacion, Toronto
The Mets could consider looking toward first base to replace Cespedes' power, allowing Lucas Duda (arbitration eligible) either to walk or return in a backup role. Encarnacion, 33, who split time as a designated hitter and first baseman this past season, batted .263, clubbed 42 homers and tied for the MLB lead in RBIs with 127.
