Report: Mets see Fowler, Bautista as Cespedes fallback options
The New York Mets are focused on returning Yoenis Cespedes to Queens, but that doesn't mean they haven't devised a contingency plan.
Cespedes opted out of the remaining two years and $47.5 million remaining on his deal with the Mets to pursue free agency. While there's optimism that he'll re-sign in New York, general manager Sandy Alderson has reportedly shown preliminary interest in free-agent outfielders Dexter Fowler and Jose Bautista, sources told Mike Puma of the New York Post.
"I think anybody who is being prudent under the circumstances would line up different scenarios as options and alternatives," Alderson told Puma. "We have some quality in our outfield now, it's just a little left-handed."
Fowler, a switch-hitter, and Bautista, a right-handed hitter, both fit the GM's need in the outfield, and are two of the top options outside of Cespedes. Both players, however, received qualifying offers, and would force the Mets to surrender a draft pick in order to sign them.
An All-Star for the first time this season, Fowler hit .276/.393/.447 with 13 home runs, 25 doubles, and 13 stolen bases in 125 games.
Bautista, meanwhile, is coming off a down season by his standards. The 36-year-old slashed .234/.366/.452 with 22 home runs and 24 doubles in 116 games.