Cespedes: I want to be the 1st Mets player to win MVP

Since coming to the New York Mets in a trade from the Detroit Tigers in 2015, Yoenis Cespedes has become a highly revered superstar, earned a lucrative long-term contract, and helped lead the team to two consecutive postseason appearances, but the Cuban wants more.

The 31-year-old, who is off to a scorching start this spring (.526, 3 HR, 1.579 OPS) wants to become the first Mets player in major league history to win the MVP award.

"That’s what I want," Cespedes told the New York Post through a translator. "The first thing is to stay healthy, but these are things that I’ve always thought about. It’s any ballplayer’s dream."

Cespedes has been incredibly productive during his time in the Big Apple, hitting .282/.348/.554 with 48 home runs and 130 RBIs in 189 games, which earned him a four-year, $110-million contract in November.

Although the money is nice and will allow the eccentric Cespedes to maintain the style and flash that give him the character baseball fans adore, Mets hitting coach Kevin Long knows the outfielder with the bright personality is capable of putting together an MVP season.

"That is the goal," Long told the Post. "That’s what he is shooting for. He’s determined to be the best player on the field."

During 132 games last season, Cespedes posted the highest OPS of his career (.884), which included 31 home runs and 86 RBIs, but if he continues to hit throughout the regular season like he has thus far in spring, he may be on the right track toward an MVP award.

"It is hard not to be excited about Cespedes," Long said. "I have told him, ‘The only person who can get Cespedes out is Cespedes.’ When he swings at good pitches, he’s just special and he is so much better at laying off of that high pitch. He understands the impact of his swing and what pitchers are doing with him now. He is stronger and in better shape than any other time in his life."