Yoenis Cespedes’ pay cut for next season could be deeper than originally anticipated.
Industry sources confirmed Saturday the veteran outfielder’s guaranteed salary for next season, as part of a restructured contract, will be just $6 million. But Cespedes would collect another $5 million if he avoids beginning the season on the injured list because of right foot or ankle injuries that kept him sidelined in 2019. The Associated Press first reported terms of the new deal.
The club initially disputed the report that Cespedes’ guaranteed salary for next year would be $6 million, but a source indicated the Mets were viewing the contract as $11 million for 2020 with $5 million deducted if the player begins the season on the IL with the aforementioned injuries.