Ex-Mets slugger — who hasn’t played in MLB in years — wants New York reunion

If Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns strikes out on adding a power hitter to his lineup this offseason, there’s a former New York outfielder who would love a reunion.

While the “NYM_news” on Instagram was hosting a live feed Wednesday, Yoenis Céspedes jumped in to say that he wants to return to the majors and wear blue and orange again.

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“I’m ready to play but just for the Mets,” Céspedes, 39, wrote after the host expressed his and Mets fans’ love for him.

Even though Céspedes’ Mets tenure ended on a sour note — he disappeared in Atlanta, where it became known he opted out of the 2020 season after five hits in 34 plate appearances in eight games — the former right fielder was wildly productive when he was on the field in the four other seasons.

After being acquired by the Mets at the 2015 deadline, Céspedes posted a 155 OPS+ with 17 home runs and a .287 average over 57 games to carry them into the playoffs as the NL East leaders for the only time since 2007. He also had several big postseason moments (in the NLDS) even as he hit .222 with two home runs in 14 games as New York lost in the World Series.

New York signed him to a three-year, $75 million contract (with an opt out after Yaer 1) heading into the 2016 season, but he opted out of the deal in 2017, when the Mets gave him a four-year, $110 million deal. At that time, Céspedes’ $27.5 million average annual value was tops for an outfielder and tied for the top AAV for a free-agent position player, per ESPN.

Injuries, including a broken ankle suffered on his ranch after an incident with a boar, per The New York Post, limited his availability to 316 games played over the five seasons. He hit .279/.344/.539 (136 OPS+) with 76 home runs and 205 RBIs with the Mets.

Céspedes last documented professional game by Baseball Reference came during the 2022-23 season in the Dominican Winter League.