Yoenis Cespedes is coming back for good.
The Mets have agreed to terms on a four-year, $110-million contract to retain their superstar left fielder, sources confirmed Tuesday. The deal is pending a physical, according to sources.
Cespedes, 31, has established himself as one of the most electrifying players in franchise history, and his new contract reflects that stature. At $27.5 million per year, Cespedes will earn the highest average annual value for any outfielder in big-league history. It is the second-highest average annual value overall, behind only the Tigers' Miguel Cabrera.
Indeed, the Mets paid a premium to keep Cespedes, though they did so without having to give the slugging outfielder a fifth season. Instead, the Mets made other concessions, such as consenting to a full no-trade clause, according to sources.
Cespedes hit .280 with 31 homers and 86 RBIs for the Mets last season. Since his arrival via a deadline-day trade from the Tigers in 2015, Cespedes has been the lineup's most important catalyst.
With Cespedes back in the fold, the Mets can use the upcoming winter meetings to pursue another goal. They are expected to trade an outfielder, with Jay Bruce most likely to be shopped, though sources said clubs have also expressed interest in Michael Conforto and Curtis Granderson.
