Baseball: Yoenis Cespedes weighing options for 2016 – NorthJersey.com

For Yoenis Cespedes, the decision of which team he will play for in 2016 may come down to money versus comfort.

The 30-year-old outfielder reportedly has a five-year deal on the table from the Nationals but he has talked with Mets about a three-year deal with a one-year, opt-out clause, according to ESPN.

It speaks to Cespedes’ comfort level with the Mets that he would be willing to pass on the Nationals for a short-term deal.

Momentum started to build Thursday toward Cespedes possibly joining the Mets’ biggest rival, but reports surfaced indicating Cespedes preferred to remain with the Mets.

The Mets, though, are not willing to offer a deal as long as Washington’s, and Cespedes would have to forego an extra two years of a salary that takes him to the age of 35. Cespedes said he expected to land a six-year deal in free agency, and taking a three-year offer would be a concession.

The benefit of the short-term deal would be his ability to hit the market again next season when there will not be as many quality outfielders available. Cespedes had to compete for a contract this winter against Jason Heyward, Justin Upton and Alex Gordon.

Heyward, Upton and Gordon all have signed new contracts, and Gordon’s deal of four years for $72 million is the floor of the trio’s. Upton, who has been linked with Cespedes, landed a six-year pact.

For the Mets, the short-term deal would give them the chance to retain their prized trade acquisition without a long commitment, and prevent the Nationals from stealing their Nos. 3 and 4 hitters from their World Series team with Daniel Murphy already there. Though there’s risk that Cespedes could opt out after one season, it gives the Mets the cleanup hitter they need for at least one more year and potentially two.

If they sign Cespedes they will blow past the $115 million to $120 million payroll general manager Sandy Alderson projected for 2016. The team is in that range after agreeing to a two-year deal with lefty reliever Antonio Bastardo, and Cespedes likely would make at least $20 million per season.

IN THE FOLD: Lucas Duda and Jenrry Mejia avoided arbitration by agreeing to deals, according to MLB Network. Duda’s is for $6.725 million and Mejia’s is for $2.47 million.

The Mets also announced the signing of Bastardo to a two-year deal, and designated reliever Carlos Torres for assignment. Bastardo’s deal is worth $12 million, per a source. He is one of two lefties in the bullpen alongside Jerry Blevins.

Torres went 17-18 with a 3.59 ERA for the Mets from 2013-15, and finished 5-6 with a 4.68 ERA this past season in 2015. The team also invited infielder Danny Muno to spring training.

BRIEFS: Right-hander Kevin Jepsen and the Twins agreed to a one-year contract worth $5,312,500. … Shortstop Alexei Ramirez and the Padres finalized a $4 million, one-year contract. … Jared Burton, who spent part of last season with the Yankees’ Class AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and Class A Tampa squads, was suspended 50 games under baseball’s minor league drug program.

The Associated Press contributed to this article.