Report: Cespedes Wants To Stay In New York, But Nats Have Best Offer

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- How badly do the Mets want him?

That's the question Yoenis Cespedes' agents are trying to figure out.

Reports on the status of the free agent slugger are flying fast and furious, with the latest from Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal saying Cespedes, who helped lead the Mets' to the World Series last season after being acquired from Detroit at the trade deadline, prefers to stay in New York.

So much so that his representatives reportedly put in a call to the Yankees to gauge their interest.

The Bombers, who have not shelled out a single big-money contract this offseason, do not appear inclined to make an offer at this time, the Daily News reported. That said, though, managing partner Hal Steinbrenner said recently it's possible the Yankees could jump into the fray.

Right now, the frontrunner for the 30-year-old Cuban outfielder's services appears to be the Washington Nationals, who, according to numerous reports, have proposed a five-year contract believed to be worth north of $100 million.

WFAN baseball insider Jon Heyman reported early Friday that the Mets have remained in contact with Cespedes' agents at Roc Nation Sports, but are still in favor of bringing him back on a shorter-term deal.

An ESPN report stated the Mets and Cespedes are discussing a three-year deal with an opt-out clause that would kick in after the first year. A decision on Cespedes' future is expected over the next two days, the report added.

The idea of the NL East-rival Nationals poaching another star from the Mets has fans fuming. Washington has already signed second baseman Daniel Murphy to a long-term deal, so the pressure is certainly on New York general manager Sandy Alderson to get something done.

Cespedes was a real difference-maker for the Mets last season, batting .287 with 17 homers and 44 RBIs in 57 games.

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• Washington Nationals
• New York Yankees
• New York Mets