Céspedes Eyes Return to Field as Mets Eye Return to the Playoffs

Scott Long

The New York Mets have been a team riddled with injuries for several years, yet still have managed to stay relevant and contend for a playoff spot. The Mets are looking to return to the playoffs this year, and one key component to this return is outfielder Yoenis Céspedes. Since being traded to the Mets, Céspedes has experienced some of the highest peaks as well as some of the lowest valleys.

Céspedes started out his Mets career with a bang as he hit 17 home runs and drove in 44 runs down the stretch following the trade deadline in 2015 to help the Mets clinch the National League East pennant, and make it all the way to the World Series. This helped him secure a prove it deal with the Mets to stay for another year, earning a spot on the All-Star team and once again leading the Mets to a playoff spot. Following back to back playoff appearances the Mets were convinced Céspedes was a key part of their future, inking him to a four-year deal worth $110 million.

However, things have taken a huge turn since then, as Céspedes has only played in 119 games over the last three years since signing the contract, and last year did not play in a single game.

As fans of the team have become accustomed to, Céspedes has joined a long list of players who have faced frequent injuries during their Mets careers. What frustrates Mets fans the most isn’t even the injuries though, it’s the manner in which Céspedes has sustained these injuries. At first, Céspedes’ injuries were sustained on the field as he has suffered injuries to his ankles, heels, hamstring and hips. But last season, while already rehabbing from his heel surgery, Céspedes fractured his ankle during an incident with a wild boar on his ranch.

As a result of this injury, the Mets got back some money as part of an insurance clause in his contract, which they used on free agent relief pitcher Dellin Betances as well as starting pitchers Rick Porcello and Michael Wacha. The Mets are hopeful that the addition of Betances, along with the return of Cespedes and other injured players from last year will be able to vault them back into the playoffs. This thinking may be within reason, as the Mets finished last season with an 86-76 record and were only three games out of the second wild card despite a several injuries and a bullpen that ranked a lowly 25th in the league in ERA.

The Mets and Céspedes believe that he will be able to return this year, which would be a huge addition to a lineup that already features last year’s National League Rookie of the Year Pete Alonso, as well as rising stars Jeff McNeill, Michael Conforto and Amed Rosario. Exactly where he would play if he is able to play this season remains to be seen, as Conforto, Brandon Nimmo and J.D. Davis are currently penciled in as the team’s starting outfielders. “Really, it’s a matter of having as many players capable of playing multiple positions as possible,” General Manager Brodie Van Waganen told Newsday, suggesting the possibility that Céspedes, Davis and others may be asked to play several positions, in order to ensure maximum playing time for everyone.

At this point, it would be hard for the Mets to rely on him, so having several options ready makes sense for manager Luis Rojas. Tempering expectations like this will allow any contribution coming from Céspedes to be seen as a positive. Additionally, with the frequency of injuries in baseball, particularly with this Mets team, if Céspedes can get healthy and be a key contributor for this team, it’s likely that there won’t be much of a struggle for playing time because at some point someone will get injured. The Mets faced a similar situation last season with McNeill, as he didn’t have a set position entering the year, due to the acquisitions of Jed Lowrie and Robinson Canó, until both suffered injuries, granting him everyday playing time.

If all goes well in the injury department, Céspedes and the Mets could be in line for another playoff appearance due to a talented roster and a rival Nationals team possibly facing a World Series hangover.