The likelihood that Yoenis Cespedes plays 2017 in a Giants uniform took a big hit Tuesday when the slugging left fielder signed a four-year $110 million deal to return to the New York Mets.
Sources: Cespedes deal expected to be four year, $110M.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 29, 2016
Cespedes was this offseason’s hottest power bat available in MLB’s free agency market. The Giants were certainly one of many big league clubs heavily recruiting the 31-year old Cuban who blasted 31 homers for the Mets last season, driving home 86 runs in the process.
His $27 million dollars per year will be the largest deal in Mets history.
As a result of the news, the Giants will have to turn to their next best options if they plan to insert some power into their lineup next season. While names such Jose Bautista, Carlos Gomez and Jay Bruce will be floating around baseball’s winter meetings in a few weeks, Ian Desmond and recent World-Series champ Dexter Fowler have risen to the top of most Giants reporters’ list of outfielders best-suited for Bruce Bochy’s Giants, despite their propensity to strikeout.
The Giants also need to shore up third base, as recently acquired Eduardo Nunez will be an unrestricted free agent, although the Giants will probably have the first and best shot at signing the 29-year old. However, the lack of power bats available at the hot corner this free agency will mean outfield-free agents will offer the best shot at signing a big-time slugger.