Yoenis Cespedes is one of the most polarizing players in baseball. He hits moonshots, has a cannon for an arm, and has arguably baseball’s best bat flip. He has had quite an exciting life, coming to the MLB from Cuba. Let’s take a look at it, starting with his net worth.
Yoenis Cespedes Net Worth: $86 million
Cespedes has made $86 million dollars over his first six seasons in the MLB. This is without accounting for the $29 million he is slated to make from the three-year extension he signed with the Mets last year.
Early Life
Cespedes was born in Granma Province, Cuba, in the town of Campechula. Both his parents were athletes, his mother Estela played catcher for the Cuban softball team in the 2000 Olympics. Cespedes defected from Cuba in 2011 and established residency in the United States in early 2012. He immediately became an unrestricted free agent and drew interest from nearly every MLB team. Cespedes was considered a “generational talent” after his time on the Cuban National team that competed in the World Baseball Classic. He eventually signed a four year, $36 million contract with the Oakland Athletics.
2012-2015
Cespedes proved that he was worth the money right away, batting .292 and hitting 23 home runs in his rookie season. He ended up finishing second in American League Rookie of the Year voting, behind Mike Trout. In 2013, he won the Home Run Derby at the All-Star Game in New York City. His success couldn’t carry over to the playoffs that year, and the Athletics were eliminated by the Detroit Tigers in the ALDS. In 2014, he was voted as an All-Star for the first time. Cespedes again won the Home Run Derby, becoming the first back to back champion since Ken Griffey Jr. in 1999. He was then traded at the trade deadline to the Boston Red Sox for pitcher Jon Lester and outfielder Jonny Gomes. After the 2014 season, Cespedes was traded again, this time to the Detroit Tigers for future Cy Young award winner Rick Porcello. During his Gold Glove-winning season in 2015, Cespedes was traded for a third time. This time, to the New York Mets. The Mets acquired him at the trade deadline for future Rookie of the Year Michael Fulmer. Cespedes helped carry the Mets to the World Series in 2015, where they lost to the Royals in five games.
2016- Present
Cespedes resigned with the Mets in 2016, he signed a three year, $75 million contract. Cespedes was voted as an All-Star for the second time in 2016 but didn’t play due to injury. He opted out of his deal after the first season, but resigned for four years and $110 million. 2017 was very injury riddled for Cespedes, as he only played 81 games. He hit 17 home runs, including three on April 11 against the Philadelphia Phillies.