Yoenis Cespedes to reportedly opt out of Mets contract and become a free agent

But that doesn't mean he won't be back in Queens next season

The three-year, $75 million contract that slugging outfielder Yoenis Cespedes signed with the Mets in January of course included an opt-out. That opt-out allows Cespedes to forgo the final two years and $47.5 million of his Mets contract in favor of free agency this upcoming offseason. According to Jon Heyman of Today's Knuckleball, Cespedes will take advantage of his opt-out and become a free agent.

Heyman's story has more, including the possibility that Cespedes winds up returning to the Mets anyway and what some observers think he'll fetch on the open market.

Cespedes, who recently turned 31, is coming off a 2016 season in which he batted .280/.354/.530 with 31 homers in 132 games. That in tandem with his highly productive 2015 for the Tigers and Mets should position him for another nice payday this winter.

Also adding to Cespedes' potential appeal is that the upcoming free agent market is somewhat thin. On that front ...

Keep hearing Yoenis Cespedes wants at least a five-year deal.

— Adam Rubin (@AdamRubinESPN) October 27, 2016

Whatever the case, Cespedes seems like a good bet to fetch a nine-figure contract. If the Mets wish to contend in 2017, they'd do well to make Cespedes a serious offer.