Yoenis Céspedes Net Worth: Mets Outfielder Has Earned $130M In 9 Seasons

Yoenis Céspedes has a net worth of at least $60 million, but the future remains uncertain for the left midfielder.

Céspedes opted to sit out the rest of the season in a sudden move that caught not only the New York Mets in surprise but his fans and teammates as well. The MLB season just resumed amid criticisms from players because of not having enough guidelines and protocols against COVID-19. The players have the choice to sit out the season for safety reasons but for Céspedes, other factors might have played a hand in his decision.

According to The New York Post, the 9-year veteran had discussions with team officials over lack of playing time, which could affect his performance bonuses. When he was not named as a starter again, he decided to pack his bags and leave without any formal communications.

Céspedes was supposed to receive a $29.5 million salary this year; however, due to a freak accident in his farm last year, his paycheck was reduced to $6 million. Despite the cut, he would have made $20 million more if he recorded 650 plate appearances as part of contract incentives. Some fans claim that the athlete cannot be blamed for thinking his lower playing time and lack of appearance as a starter are being done deliberately to prevent the team from paying him the bonuses.

If the Campechuela, Cuba native goes on to miss this year, it would put an unfortunate end to his season with the Mets. He signed a 4-year, $110 million deal in 2016 to play for New York but injuries in recent years took a toll on his production. Per Forbes, the outfielder missed about 70 percent of the games since signing the contract. He had surgeries on both of his feet even before the accident in his farm, and this further prolonged his recovery.

In his heyday, the Cuban was one of the highest paid players in the league. His $27.5 million average annual value was among the highest salaries in his position. In total, his pay for nine seasons playing for four different teams reached $130 million, according to Spotrac.

He entered the league as a 26-year-old who played eight years in the Cuban professional league. Some might argue that it was already too late but he quickly showed what he was made of. The Oakland Athletics signed the free agent in 2012 and paid him $22.7 million in his first two seasons. He received the biggest payday of his career as a Mets player with over $97 million earnings in six seasons.