Free-agent outfielder Yoenis Cespedes was impressive at a recent showcase, showing that he still has plenty of power left in the tank. According to scouts, he "hit rockets" at the showcase. Jon Heyman of the MLB Network believes that teams are going to be cautious in moving forward with Cespedes after he missed all of the 2019 season and had just 31 at-bats last year before opting out of the season. However, Heyman also added that the Chicago White Sox could be a logical landing spot if the team finds itself with an opening or an injury in the coming weeks. Cespedes' power bat would fit in nicely with the team. Over his 31 at-bats last year, Cespedes slashed .161/.235/.387 with two home runs, four RBI and three runs scored.
Free-agent outfielder Yoenis Cespedes showed impressive power and arm strength during his free-agent showcase on Tuesday, according to multiple people in attendance. He took batting practice and fielded fly balls for around a dozen teams, including the Blue Jays, Brewers, Rays, Tigers, Padres and White Sox. The 35-year-old still has impressive power, but his outfield mobility is limited, according to one talent evaluator. "He can go be someone's DH," the scout said. Cespedes played in just eight games for the Mets in 2020 before opting out for the rest of the season, and he hit just .161/.235/.387 with two home runs. He has not played regularly in the majors since May of 2018 due to injuries, and his market could be limited with no designated hitter expected in the National League this season.
Free-agent outfielder Yoenis Cespedes wants to play in 2021 and will hold a showcase for major league teams on March 2 in Fort Pierce, Florida. The 35-year-old opted out of the 2020 season after just eight games for COVID-19-related reasons. Cespedes has been bothered by multiple injuries and has played in just 127 games since the 2016 season as a result. He managed to hit two home runs in 34 plate appearances, but he ended up hitting .161 with 15 strikeouts. Cespedes has been an All-Star twice and has played in eight major league seasons with the A's, Red Sox, Tigers and Mets. At his best, he was a superstar and is a .273 career hitter with 165 home runs and an .824 OPS. Because of his extensive injury history in recent seasons, fantasy managers should take a wait-and-see approach with the Cuban outfielder if he latches on with a team.
New York Mets outfielder/designated hitter Yoenis Cespedes will reportedly sit out the rest of the 2020 season due to COVID-19 related concerns. Cespedes name was in the news Sunday as the Mets did not know the sluggers whereabouts ahead of their contest with the Braves. His decision to opt out likely ends his tenure in New York, as he is slated to become a free agent at seasons end. Although he homered twice in his first eight games, he hit just 5-for-31 overall with 15 strikeouts. Dominic Smith is now in line to see a significant increase in playing time with DH duties freed up and becomes a roster consideration in 12-team leagues.
New York Mets outfielder/designated hitter Yoenis Cespedes was not at the ballpark Sunday as of gametime. The slugger didn't reach out to the Mets with any explanation for his absence and the team's attempts to contact him have been unsuccessful. This comes after a bit of a wild offseason for Cespedes, involving an ankle injury due to an accident with a wild boar on his ranch. His absence would be problematic under the conditions of a normal season, but it's even more paramount now with the shortened season and COVID protocols in place. Stay tuned for updates on the status of Cespedes.
New York Mets outfielder Yoenis Cespedes, hitting as the Mets' designated hitter, hit his second home run of the season on Wednesday in the Mets 6-5 loss to Boston. Cespedes went 2-for-5 on the night with the HR and one RBI. After hitting a homer against the Braves on Opening Day, Cespedes had fallen into a funk at the plate. Wednesday's performance may be a sign he is beginning to pull out of his mini slump. Cespedes is now hitting .211 on the season with two HR, and two RBI in 19 at-bats. If healthy and regularly serving as DH to minimize damage to his legs and risk of injury, Cespedes has a tremendous amount of upside hitting in the middle of the Mets lineup.
New York Mets outfielder/designated hitter Yoenis Cespedes is not in the Mets' lineup Monday night against the Red Sox. This looks to be a routine day off for Cespedes who has made great progress from heel and ankle injuries that impacted him over the past three years. So far in 2020, Cespedes is 2-for-10 with one home run. He should be back in the lineup on Tuesday. As the primary DH for the Mets, Cespedes has a tremendous amount of upside hitting in the middle of the Mets' potent lineup.
New York Mets outfielder Yoenis Cespedes, hitting as the Mets' designated hitter against the Braves on Opening Day, went 1-for-3 with a solo home run. Cespedes' solo shot was the difference in the Mets 1-0 win. The 34-year-old has made great progress from heel and ankle injuries that have impacted him over the past three years. In 2016, his last full season, Cespedes posted a .280/.354/.530 line with 31 home runs and 86 RBI in 543 plate appearances. In 2018, in limited time, Cespedes still managed to post .262/.325/.496 line with nine home runs and 29 RBI in just 157 plate appearances. If healthy and serving as DH to minimize damage to his legs, Cespedes has a tremendous amount of upside hitting in the middle of the Mets potent lineup, as shown on Friday.
New York Mets outfielder Yoenis Cespedes said he expects to be the designated hitter on Friday, July 24, when the team opens the season against the Braves. Because of injuries to his feet and legs, Friday will be Cespedes' first major league game in more than two years. The right-handed slugger is feeling good and is also confident that he'll play left field at some point in 2020. The 34-year-old was an All-Star in 2014 and 2016, but he had surgery on both of his heels and broke his right ankle in a fall at his ranch last year. Most fantasy drafters will likely be scared off by Cespedes because of his age and prior injury history, but seeing most of his at-bats at DH this year could help him stay on the field. If his price is low in your draft, he's worth a late-round flier.
The New York Mets are looking to get outfielder Yoenis Cespedes (heel, ankle) work in the outfield on Saturday or Sunday in an exhibition against the Yankees. As Cespedes continues to progress from leg injuries that have impacted him over the past three years, the Mets want to challenge him in the outfield in advance of Opening Day. Cespedes has been unable to play regularly since 2016 due to various leg injury issues. It appears, though, that he is on the road to full health ahead of the MLB season opener. Though Cespedes will likely serve as the Mets regular designated hitter during the shortened season, his potential ability to play the outfield could mean regular playing time for him in 2020. He could serve as left fielder or DH, despite facing competition for playing time from Dominic Smith, Melky Cabrera, and J.D. Davis. It appears the Mets will be creative with Cespedes in order to get his bat into the lineup. If Cespedes is fully healthy, he is a great buy-low candidate with tremendous upside in all formats.
