Céspedes' season ends in most Mets way possible

So long, Yoenis. AP Photo/John Minchillo

By David Brand

For several hours Sunday, no one in the Mets front office seemed to know where slugger Yoenis Céspedes was. Or at least, they weren’t letting on.

After Céspedes failed to show up at the Atlanta Braves’ ballpark for the afternoon game — an all-too-typical 4-0 loss — Mets General Manager Brodie Van Wagenen issued a cryptic statement.

“Yoenis Céspedes has not reported to the ballpark today,” Van Wagenen said in the statement that arrived into reporters’ he said. “He did not reach out to management with any explanation for his absence. Our attempts to contact him have been unsuccessful.”

As fans worried for Céspedes’ wellbeing — Was he kidnapped? Was he sick? What’s going on? — the Mets issued another mysterious statement, this time saying they had no reason to fear for his safety.

OK. 

Later still, news emerged that Céspedes, a power-hitting hero from the club’s 2015 pennant-winning season, had opted out of the COVID-shortened season. Van Wagenen finally confirmed the news during a post-game press conference. He said Céspedes did not inform the club of his decision before checking out of the team hotel. His agent called the front office late in the game to relay the message, Van Wagenen said. 

The decision likely assures that Céspedes, a free agent at the end of the season, is finished with the Mets. He carried the club to a 2015 division title and then the World Series after arriving in a late-July trade, but injuries slowed him down. He played a total of 120 games since 2017.

Sadly, his career as a New York City National Leaguer seems to have ended in true Mets fashion — a total mess.