And just like that, Yoenis Cespedes‘ time as a New York Met is over. The 34-year-old slugger opted out of the 2020 season today, on his own terms.
Once a superstar, an icon, and a team leader. Yoenis Cespedes was a lot to New York Mets fans.
After being told he was not in the starting lineup for Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Braves, Cespedes did not report to the stadium for the game. The team tried to contact him and he was not responding. He decided to ghost the organization. There was actual fear in the organization that he might not be okay. 
Eventually, Cespedes’ agent put out a statement that he was opting out of the remainder of the 2020 season due to COVID-19 related issues. This is a beyond disappointing end to his four-year contract. He was a New York Met since 2015, helping them reach the World Series in 2015 and the Wild Card Game in 2016. He made the 2016 NL All-Star team.
Weirdly, a few undisclosed New York Mets said they were approached by Cespedes on Saturday and he told them of his intentions to end his 2020 season.
He had served as the Mets’ designated hitter in eight games this season, going 5-for-31 (.161) with 15 strikeouts. 2020 Opening Day was his first game since July 20, 2018. He missed time due to a series of leg problems. He required surgery on both heels and broke an ankle after an incident on his Florida ranch with a wild boar. Yes, you read that correctly. 
After this season, Cespedes’ four-year, $110 million contract, signed after the 2016 season, is over. It is unlikely that the Mets would bring him back. He played in five seasons in orange and blue after being acquired in 2015 from the Detroit Tigers. Since 2015, Cespedes has played in 316 games for the Mets, hitting 76 home runs, driving in 205 runs, and posting a .883 OPS.
Nobody blames Cespedes for opting out because MLB’s season is in jeopardy and there is an issue containing the spread of the Coronavirus from team to team. After the Miami Marlins and Philadelphia Phillies had breakouts throughout their organizations, the St. Louis Cardinals had a breakout as well.
Cespedes is the latest player in the MLB to opt-out. Milwaukee Brewers Gold Glove Center fielder Lorenzo Cain ended his season on Saturday because he wanted to do what was best for his wife and his three young sons.
The season could be over by the end of the week. If they can make it that far. Nobody knows if it can be pulled off. We’ll just have to enjoy the sport while we can.
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