Yoenis Cespedes chooses Mets over Nats, agreeing to three-year deal

The balance of power in the National League East shifted considerably late Friday as slugger Yoenis Cespedes signed with the Mets over the Nationals. Washington had reportedly offered Cespedes a five-year deal in the neighborhood of $100 million. But according to FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal, Cespedes opted for a three-year contract with the Mets worth $75 million that includes an opt-out after the 2016 season.

The Nationals held a three-game lead over the Mets late last July when New York acquired Cespedes from Detroit just before the trade deadline. The move ignited the Mets offense, catapulting them past the Nats as Cespedes slashed .287/.337/.604 with 17 homers and 44 RBIs over the final 57 games en route to the playoffs and an eventual World Series berth.

The Mets were Cespedes' fourth team in as many seasons in the majors since arriving from Cuba in 2012. The 30-year-old won an American League Gold Glove for his play in left field over 102 games in Detroit last year. Overall, he batted .291 with 35 home runs, 42 doubles, 105 RBIs and 101 runs scored in 159 games for the Tigers and Mets in 2015.

The Nationals' pursuit of Cespedes was a bit baffling considering they seemingly had just covered their outfield needs by acquiring speedster Ben Revere in a trade to presumably play center and lead off. Despite coming off a poor season, Jayson Werth is expected to start in left field as the Nats still owe the 36-year-old $42 million over the final two years of this contract. Obviously, NL MVP Bryce Harper controls right field, leaving Michael A. Taylor and Matt den Dekker as reserve outfielders.

Whether Cespedes was the best fit or not, he becomes the latest big free agent to pass on the Nats this winter, following Jason Heyward, Ben Zobrist and Darren O'Day.