After a rocky week with the press, New York Mets‘ slugger finally spoke. Days after saying that he wouldn’t speak to the media covering the Mets in Port St. Lucie, the Cuban slugger decided to talk.
Early Sunday morning, Cespedes broke his silence and said that his intention is to be ready for Opening Day and help the Mets in their quest for the playoffs.
“If I continue progressing the way that I am, yes,” Céspedes said through an interpreter, quoted by MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo.
After the 2019 wild boar accident in his ranch that resulted in a fractured ankle, the New York Mets amended his deal. He was set to make $29 million in the final year of his contract, but after the incident, it was reduced to $6 million guaranteed.
The number will go up to $11 million if he makes the Opening Day roster. If he meets incentives, bonuses, awards and other things, he will get close to $25 million.
The Mets’ slugger is happy with his progress
Earlier in the week, Cespedes said he wouldn’t talk with the media at that time “or at any point in the year.” The boycott ended today, as he said he feels “good” and “happy with the progress.”
“Every day, I’m still working to get better and better,” Céspedes said. “It’s not as fast as I want it to be, but as the season approaches, I’m feeling like I’m really good right now.”
But as the media questioned him about the ranch incident, he wouldn’t offer many details. “I committed an error and I paid the price for it,” Cespedes said, “but today I’ll be talking about the present and the future.”
Cespedes, 34, hasn’t played since July 2018 and is recovering from multiple heel and ankle surgeries. The Mets are a little crowded in the outfield but if he is healthy, he will have a role.