All other issues now facing the Mets pale in comparison to Yoenis Cespedes’ looming opt-out.
The Mets began a longer offseason than last year’s on Thursday, a day after the team’s elimination from the playoffs with a 3-0 loss to the Giants in the National League Wild Card Game.
At Citi Field, team brass huddled to begin forming a blueprint for 2017 as players filtered into the clubhouse to collect belongings for the winter. There are significant decisions looming, with Cespedes’ contract setting the tone.
The veteran outfielder has two years and $47.5 million remaining on the deal he signed with the Mets in January, but he can opt out from that contract three days after the end of the World Series.