Mets don’t sound optimistic about Yoenis Cespedes playing in 2019

When it comes to Yoenis Cespedes returning in 2019, the New York Mets don’t sound optimistic about getting much.

There are two versions of the New York Mets. There is the team with Yoenis Cespedes and there is the one without him.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t sound like the organization is confident he will return this season. While on MLB Network Radio with Anthony DiComo, Omar Minaya didn’t deliver words of encouragement in regards to the outfielder’s health:

We are all smart enough to know this could also be Minaya’s way of protecting all possible outcomes. He’s setting the bar low. Even a September return sounds like a positive thing.

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Cespedes played in only 38 of the team’s 162 games last season. In 2017, he missed exactly half of them when he participated in 81.

Injuries have been generous in visiting Cespedes. This wasn’t always the case in his prior five seasons in MLB. Until 2017, he had never played in fewer than 129 games.

Now nearing his mid-30s, Cespedes’ body is breaking down. His bad heels have caught up to him. There’s no guarantee he’s as productive as he once was.

If the Mets truly do believe Cespedes’ year is a wash, it’s even more imperative they find help this offseason. An outfield consisting of Michael Conforto, Juan Lagares, and Brandon Nimmo doesn’t cut it. They need a power bat somewhere even if the production isn’t near to what Cespedes would give them.

A center fielder would make the most sense for the Mets as Lagares looks like the oddest man out of the trio. He’s a good platoon player, but not someone we need to see 162 games of the year. A.J. Pollock’s injury history is worrisome. He could get to know Cespedes real quick on the disabled list if he were to join the Mets.

One option on the trade market I would like to see the Mets explore is Tommy Pham of the Tampa Bay Rays. He has already expressed his opinion of the franchise, citing how frustrating it is to play in front of an empty stadium. Pham clearly wants out and the Rays would benefit from moving him now before he disrupts the locker room further.

Pham hits right-handed and hits for power and speed. His defensive numbers are favorable as well. Other than a short resume, he’s a nice fit for the Mets.

If they decide to go for a lesser name and keep Lagares as the primary center fielder, they may have to hope Peter Alonso figures out big league pitchers quickly. It seems like the first base job is his to lose. His power capabilities could make up for the loss of Cespedes.

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Either way, this team will need to hope for a better year from Todd Frazier whose history of hitting for power didn’t show last year. This isn’t a team that needs to win with home run balls but it sure would help.