The Mets' roster for the 2019 season is beginning to take a new shape under new GM Brodie Van Wagenen. He already bolstered the lineup with Robinson Cano, and Edwin Diaz will be the team's much-needed closer.
As Van Wagenen continues to be aggressive, there is also some hope for current Mets to be available down the road as well. One is veteran OF Yoenis Cespedes, who Van Wagenen addressed on WFAN with Mike Francesa on Wednesday.
Francesa asked whether or not Van Wagenen, along with manager Mickey Callaway and Mets COO Jeff Wilpon in the room, views Cespedes as a part of next season.
"The way we view him is the ultimate trade deadline piece," Van Wagenen answered.
This means the Mets are hoping that Cespedes is back during the second half, and performs similar to what he did when they first acquired him at the trade deadline back in 2015. But there wasn't a definitive timetable placed for the 33-year-old, who said back in September that he will be able to begin baseball activity in late February.
Cespedes underwent his second heel surgery back in October to remove bone calification from his left heel. He had the same surgery done in August on his right heel as well.
The two-time All-Star played in just 38 games last season as he battled through injuries that included a hip flexor strain that forced him to miss more than two months to go along with the heel surgery. He has also had hamstring and groin injuries in the past.
In his short stint last season, Cespedes hit .262/.325/.496 with nine homers and 29 RBI.