20 Feb GETTING TO KNOW NY METS ALL STAR OUTFIELDER YOENIS CÉSPEDES
Ari Hirsch/The Vues had the opportunity to meet up and interview Yoenis Cespedes a month ago in Port St. Lucie to discuss his health and the Mets this coming season.
Name: Yoenis Céspedes Milanés
Born: October 18, 1985 (age 32),
Campechuela, Cuba
Height: 5’ 10”
Nationality: Cuban
Weight: 210 lbs
Previous Teams Played for:
Oakland Athletics, Boston Red Sox,
and the Detroit Tigers.
Salary: Signed a 4 year / $110,000,000 contract with the New York Mets, including $110,000,000 guaranteed, and an annual average salary of $27,500,000. In 2018, Cespedes will earn a base salary of $29,000,000, while carrying a cap hit of $29,000,000.
Cespedes limited by injury in 2017:
He finished the 2017 regular season with a .292 average, 17 home runs, 42 RBIs and 46 runs scored.
How are you feeling these days?
A: Great. Can’t wait for the season to start. I’ve been working out with Barwis already for a while.
How do you like working out with the Mets Senior Advisor of Strength and Conditioning Mike Barwis?
A: He’s very loud and can talk a lot so people probably see this crazy sort of energy coming off of him, but I have learned that when you get past that he is such a smart guy, he has just so much insight, so much knowledge, and for me it’s important to be able to spend that time with him where he’s able to pass on that knowledge to me and prepare me for the better. I’ve been doing a lot more running and yoga this off season and less working out with weights.
What’s it like playing in New York?
A: I’ve enjoyed it so far. I think it’s a great place. Its the kind of place where you could either make yourself really big or make yourself really small. I’m hoping to be healthy this season.
What’s it like playing the outfield behind all these great New York pitchers?
A: When everybody is healthy its like being on a beach. We’re just on vacation out there, because no one seems to be able to hit much against these guys. The problem always is health.
I see you working out with the new Mets shortstop sensation Amed Rosario. Have you given him any advice?
A: Amed has all the tools to be a tremendous ballplayer. I definitely think if he chooses to put on more weight, he just has to be aware that maybe he won’t be a shortstop in the long run. If he stays without that weight he can stay a shortstop. Having extra pounds usually means more power, so stuff for him to think about.
Give me a scouting report on yourself.
A: I’m aggressive at bat, I’m aggressive as a defensive player, and I think there’s holes and gaps maybe, with my batting, but it’s not stuff that can’t be fixed or worked on, and I think I still have a lot to learn.
What are your best baseball moments?
A: Winning the Home Run Derby, twice — 2013 at Citi Field and last year at Minnesota and making it to the postseason in Oakland.
You’re the highest paid player on the team. Is there any added pressure?
A: At first I thought that I had to do more than everybody, go harder. But a lot of the guys have spoke to me and they’ve said no, just play my normal game and do my job and that everything will work out little by little. So that’s what I try to do.
Favorite game day meal?
A: Rice and beans.
Favorite movie?
A: I like Martial arts movies.
Favorite actor?
A: Donnie James.
Favorite singer/ entertainer?
A: Ricardo Arjona.
What do you like to do to relax?
A: I like to golf, fish and hunt.
Three dinner guests?
A: My grandfather, who died in 2002, [singer] Ricardo Arjona, [singer/actor] Pepe Aguilar.