Details of Yoenis Cespedes’ Restructured Contract Revealed and He is Losing a Ton of Money

Fans in flushing undoubtedly unleashed a compiled and profound sigh of relief on Friday when news broke that the New York Mets agreed to an amended contract with oft-injured outfielder Yoenis Cespedes.

The chunk that would be coming off of Cespedes colossal $29.5 million salary, however, was undisclosed at the time of the report.

Well, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports that the aforementioned $29.5 million figure will drop below...wait for it...$10 million.

Heard Cespedes lost a piece of $29M 2019 salary. Bigger loss is his 2020 will go from $29.5M to less than $10M. Can make back in bonuses enough to earn roughly $20M (essentially play to pay). Clearly was worried a grievance could lead to total loss of the $29.5. #Mets
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) December 13, 2019

Sherman notes that Cespedes can earn up to $20 million if he meets certain individual bonuses that were included in the restructured deal. Effectively, he'll have to be active and healthy to recoup that money.

In addition to the huge amount he'll sacrifice in 2020, he's also forfeiting some of his 2019 salary as well.

The reshuffling, of course, comes on the heels of Cespedes undergoing double heal surgery in May that forced him to miss the entire 2019 season. That mayhem followed a fractured ankle he suffered in a freak injury at his ranch.

Essentially, Céspedes agreed to amended compensation because of the circumstances of his ranch injury. This is a settlement, but to be clear: Céspedes is still under contract and both he and the Mets still intend for him to play in 2020.
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) December 13, 2019

This is certainly a massive blow for the Cuban native, but one he had to see coming given his injury history since arriving in Queens. Maybe these unfortunate developments are just what he needs to motivate him to perform and stay on the field for the Amazins in 2020.

We'll see if the Mets try to use the money they saved on Cespedes' contract to pursue some of the remaining quality free agents.