Yoenis Cespedes' Salary Got Absolutely Decimated in Mets' Favor After Settlement
By Chris Pyo
When Yoenis Cespedes signed a four-year, $110 million contract in the 2016 offseason (with a no-trade clause!), he never could've imagined that so much would go so incredibly wrong.
Now, after a myriad of injuries that have prevented him from playing in most of 2018 and all of 2019, the New York Mets have been able to officially amend his contract and slash his base salary down from $29.5 million to $6 million.
Yoenis Cespedes’ base salary with #Mets slashed from $29.5 million to $6 million with $14 million in incentives per @AP_Sports
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) December 21, 2019
What could have been considered to be one of the absolute worst contracts in baseball may actually become a slight afterthought with that massive of a pay cut.
The two-time All Star has developed into a financial burden and headache over in Queens; he was initially considered to be an established star when he made his way to the Mets in 2015, helping fuel their World Series run.
According to the AP, Yoenis Cespedes's base salary for 2020 is $6M. He can make $20M with 650 PA's. If he doesn't start season on IL due to foot or ankle injury his base pay rises to $11M. $250K incentive for 200,250,275 PA's. $500K for 300,350,375,400 PA's. (cont)
— Joe DeMayo (@PSLToFlushing) December 21, 2019
Instead, he's been a liability the past two years.
The Mets were able to justify his pay cut to the league by explaining that Cespedes hurt himself while participating in an activity prohibited by his contract's language -- the activity being his tending to the ranch he owns in Florida.
In a year the Mets really can't afford to have any distractions, this is about the best news the franchise can get, especially if Brodie Van Wagenen decides to spend a little extra in free agency.