Should the Mets be tinkering with Yoenis Cespedes’ approach?
When the New York Mets acquired Yoenis Cespedes from the Detroit Tigers last July 31, they did so hoping he would raise their lagging offense to a competitive level.
We’d say that mission was accomplished successfully.
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The results had to be better than even general manager Sandy Alderson could have imagined. Over the final two months, Cespedes went on a tear rarely seen in baseball, slugging 17 home runs and driving in 44 runs over 57 games. The Mets compiled a 36-21 record during that span, not only passing the heavily favored Washington Nationals for the division title, but leaving them in their dust.
The trade worked wonders for New York. You could even say it saved their season. But since many figured it would be a three-month rental, little attention was paid to the finer details of Cespedes’ approach. All that mattered were those remarkable results and the wave of success he made possible that they collectively rode to and then through the NL playoffs.
Now that Cespedes is back in the fold though for at least one season — he inked a three-year, $75 million deal that allows him to opt out following the 2016 season — there’s a renewed focus on those details. In fact, according to the New York Post, hitting coach Kevin Long is making it a point this spring to work with Cespedes to refine his approach and phase out his natural aggressiveness.
The Mets are looking for more contact, more walks and an increased focus on driving the baseball the other way, which they believe will equal more success at the plate. In simpler terms, they want him to be more selective. It makes sense in theory, but it’s one of those things where you wonder if tinkering now, with Cespedes turning 30 and coming off a massive season, is really necessary.
Are the Mets better off letting him continue doing what’s comfortable and what’s worked well, or are they on the right track trying to mold him into a more complete hitter? That is the question, and the honest answer is there probably is no right or wrong response.
When healthy, Cespedes has been plenty productive throughout his four-year career in MLB using his aggressive approach. He’s averaged 30 home runs, 35 doubles and 103 RBIs per 162 games, while only striking out 143 times on average. You’ll take that from a power-oriented hitter. On the downside, his aggressive nature has in part led to a .271 career batting average and a .319 career on-base, which does suggest some production is left on the table.
There are pros and cons to both sides. On one side, Cespedes’ approach leaves him prone to prolonged slumps. On the other side, if you put too much on Cespedes’ plate, he might go up there overthinking when before he just let things happen.
There’s really only one clear way to gauge which way is the way to go, and that’s by how receptive Cespedes has been to the adjustments. And so far, he’s completely on board.
“He’s all in,’’ Long told The Post this week. “Cespedes is very receptive to advice, to working on stuff, he’s great to work with. He’s a baseball player.’’
He’s a baseball player, yes, but not all baseball players take to teaching that well. That Cespedes is buying in speaks well of his character and his desire to continue growing as a player.
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In some ways, it’s even cemented him as a leader on the Mets. When he’s taking BP, other players are forced to pay attention because he’s their best hitter and because he’s putting in work that they could all benefit from seeing.
Said second baseman Neil Walker of the Cespedes’ experiment: “It’s a very good learning curve for everybody who is watching. It’s not about hitting homers, it’s about using the big part of the field, staying inside the ball, and when you watch it, you realize it’s not about taking 100 swings, it’s about taking five swings with a purpose.’’
Cespedes described returning to the Mets as returning home. He’s backed that up by treating the parking lot at Port St. Lucie as his garage and stable away from home, which is the fun stuff we all love. But he’s also backing it up by putting in the work and trying to make everything and everyone around him better.
That’s how you make a difference.
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Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Townie813
