Yoenis Céspedes

New York Mets: Curtis Granderson Wants Yoenis Cespedes to Return

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

When the World Series ends, the New York Mets will be holding their breath about the status of their star outfielder Yoenis Cespedes.

After the 2016 World Series is over, many expect that Yoenis Cespedes will be opting out of his contract with the New York Mets. After another good season in New York, it makes all the sense in the world for Cespedes to opt-out, and cash in on a new deal.

Just because Cespedes opts out, it doesn’t mean that all hope is lost for the Mets. Cespedes appears to like New York, and if the Mets are willing to give him close to what the open market will, he will likely be back.

One player that is hopeful that Cespedes will return is outfielder Curtis Granderson. While talking to Matthew Cerone of SNY.tv, Granderson points that out.

“If he does (opt out), it doesn’t necessarily mean that all is lost,” Granderson said to Cerrone. “It just means that there might need to be some restructuring that has to be done to bring him back.”

Since the Mets acquired Cespedes, he has been nothing short of excellent for them. In 189 games with the Mets, Cespedes has totaled a .282 batting average, 48 home runs, and 130 RBIs.

“He’s as close to a five-tool athlete as I’ve seen,” Granderson said of Cespedes to Cerrone. “When he’s healthy, he can steal bases and gets down the line better than anybody I’ve seen. He hits for power, he hits for average. He can play all three outfield positions. He has one of the best arms in the game.

In addition to being a great player on the field, Granderson also points out how well liked Cespedes is in the clubhouse. Having a clubhouse with good relationships is important in baseball more than most people would think. One toxic player can ruin a team, but that is far from the case with Cespedes according to Granderson.

“Plus, everyone loves him in the clubhouse,” Granderson added. “He gets along great with everybody. I think he loves being in the city of New York and New Yorkers all like him. So I think it would be huge to get him back there.”

Granderson will be entering his final year of his four-year contract with the Mets. While Granderson hasn’t been as good for the Mets as he was with the Yankees, he has been a leader of the team, and truly one of the best players off-the-field.

Recently, Granderson won the Roberto Clemente Award, which is given for community service. With it possibly being his last season with the Mets, Granderson must know that if the team is going to compete next season, they will need Cespedes back.