Yoenis Cespedes’ impending decision could tip NL East scales

(AP) The Yoenis Cespedes sweepstakes appears to be nearing a dramatic conclusion. Before the weekend is over, we should know where the 30-year-old free agent outfielder will be taking his talents for the 2016 season and possibly well beyond.

According to recent reports, it’s pretty much a two-horse race at this point between the New York Mets, Cespedes’ incumbent team, and their top NL East challenger, the Washington Nationals. That means Cespedes’ decision could ultimately tip the scales in a highly competitive division.

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Should another team sneak in over the next 24-48 hours and steal his signature, it could leave the Mets and Nationals in awkward positions, but we wouldn’t see it as a crushing blow either. Sure, both teams could use a Yoenis Cespedes in the lineup, but so could 28 others. He’s that type of difference maker when healthy and locked in. But the Mets have enough pitching and just enough offense to compete without him, and the Nationals would have to make room just to accommodate him.

It’s boiling down to which of these rivals Cespedes would prefer to play for, and not so much about their needs.

It’s interesting that it’s come to this for Cespedes, especially coming off a second half during which he carried the Mets offense. He played his best ball at the right time, or so it seemed, but his market remained remarkably quiet and surprisingly undefined until this week. It’s also interesting that he’s reportedly seriously weighing two completely different types of deals with different pros and cons.

The Mets have been steadfast about not going beyond three years, regardless of the money. According to Buster Olney of ESPN, the Mets remained consistent with that in their latest offer, putting three years on the table and including an opt-out after one season. The opt-out could be attractive to Cespedes, as it would allow him to hit free agency again in a far less talented class next winter. He’s also reportedly expressed a desire to remain in New York, which could ultimately be the deciding factor. We often overlook comfort when analyzing these free agent chases, but sometimes it does win out.

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On the other side, MLB Network insider Jon Heyman reports the Nationals are willing to go five years at around $100 million. Cespedes has long sought a six-year deal, but with Baltimore re-upping with Chris Davis it appears a deal of that length simply isn’t out there.

At this point, Cespedes isn’t going to get what he envisioned three months ago. At least not this winter. So it really does come down to his preference and perhaps his confidence in himself to repeat his production again in 2016. Will he take that gamble and return to New York? Or will he go to work against them, satisfied that’s he’s maximized his earning power and secured the last big deal of his career.

It’s a lot to ponder even at this point in the process, but the time has come for Cespedes to choose his path.

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