Cespedes’ focus on playoff push, not contract push
WASHINGTON — Yoenis Cespedes isn’t ready to tackle the million-dollar — or is it more like $150 million? — question.
Asked Monday if he can envision a long-term future with the Mets, the slugging outfielder said he hasn’t put much thought into what will occur after the season.
“I really don’t know what they are thinking,” Cespedes said after the Mets beat the Nationals 8-5.
“But my plan is to go out there and have fun. I enjoy the team — it’s a really great team — I love the City of New York, I love the fans and what we have got going here is a really good thing, so I don’t really think about that. I want to go out and do my job and produce and put up great numbers.”
Cespedes has a clause in his contract that releases him within five days of the World Series’ completion, making him a free agent. If the Mets don’t sign him before then, he wouldn’t be eligible to re-sign with the club until May 15 of next year.
But his price tag is clearly increasing. On Monday, he f inished 3-for-5 with a homer and two doubles. Over his last six games he has homered five times. Overall, he has 13 homers and 31 RBIs in 34 games with the Mets since arriving in a deal that sent highly regarded pitching pros- pect Michael Fulmer to Detroit.
Cespedes, who has pl ayoff experience from his Oakland tenure, said he can envision big things for the Mets.
“I feel real lucky, because I was able to play in two playoffs before and this is a great and tremendous team,” Cespedes said. “I think pitching-wise we’ve got the talent and I know I’m going to be a part of it so it’s a great feeling.”
What has Cespedes meant to the Mets lineup?
“There’s a reason why we went and got him,” manager Terry Collins said. “There’s a reason why we traded what we traded to get him.”