MLB notes: Yoenis Cespedes, Mets finalize $110M, 4-year contract

NEW YORK – Having finalized a $110 million, four-year contract with the New York Mets, Yoenis Cespedes declared: “God willing, I will finish my career with this team.”

Mets general manager Sandy Alderson quickly interjected: “God willing, and a no-trade clause, by the way.”

The video board on the wall of Citi Field’s news conference room featured a photo of the slugging outfielder and the hashtag: “YOGotHim.”

“This is the third time we have acquired Yoenis in the last 17 months, and it appears two legal separations have only strengthened the marriage,” Alderson said Wednesday.

A two-time All-Star, Cespedes gets $22.5 million in 2017, $29 million in each of the following two seasons and $29.5 million in 2020.

“I just knew I wanted to be back,” Cespedes said through an interpreter. “I think just the way teammates received me with open arms made me feel very welcome.”

The 31-year-old received a full no-trade provision as part of the agreement, the largest for a free agent thus far this offseason. The deal’s $27.5 million average annual value ties former Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez for the second-highest among position players, trailing only Miguel Cabrera’s $29.2 million with Detroit.

Acquired by the Mets from the Tigers at the July 31 trade deadline in 2015, Cespedes had 17 home runs and 44 RBIs in 57 games with the Mets down the stretch, helping them reach the World Series for the first time since 2000.

After finding a slow market in a free-agent class that also included Jason Heyward, Alex Gordon and Justin Upton, Cespedes made a surprise return to the Mets when New York agreed in January to a $75 million, three-year contract that allowed him to opt out after one season and $27.5 million. That earned him the hashtag: “GotYoBack.”

Cespedes had 31 homers and 86 RBIs in 132 games this year as the Mets earned a wild-card berth, slowed after injuring his right quadriceps on July 8. He hit one home run after Sept. 11.

“It is clear when Yoenis Cespedes plays for the Mets, the Mets win,” Alderson said.

Alderson had said he wanted a resolution to Cespedes’ negotiations with the team by the end of next week’s winter meetings. Other outfielders on the free-agent market include major league home run leader Mark Trumbo, Jose Bautista, Carlos Beltran, Dexter Fowler, Josh Reddick and Matt Holliday.

“Last year we sort of threaded the needle,” Alderson said. NOTES: The Mets traded pitcher Logan Verrett to the Baltimore Orioles for $50,000. Verrett, a 26-year-old right-hander, was 3-8 with a 5.20 ERA in 12 starts and 23 relief appearances this year.

Twins sign catcher Jason Castro for 3 years, $24.5 million

MINNEAPOLIS – The Minnesota Twins have signed former Houston Astros catcher Jason Castro to a three-year contract worth $24.5 million.

The deal was agreed to last week and finalized Wednesday. Castro will make $8.5 million in 2017, $8 million in 2018 and $8 million in 2019. He became a free agent after six seasons with the Astros, hitting .232 with 114 doubles, 62 home runs, 212 RBIs and 215 walks in 617 career games. The left-handed batter hit .210 with 11 homers and 32 RBIs last year.

Castro, a first-round draft pick in 2008, is well-regarded for his ability to work with pitchers. He was an All-Star in 2013, when he hit a career-best .276 with 18 home runs and 56 RBIs. Castro will replace Kurt Suzuki, who became a free agent.

Outfielder Matt Joyce agrees to $11M, 2-year deal with A’s

OAKLAND, Calif. – The Oakland Athletics have found their potential new right fielder, agreeing to terms with Matt Joyce on an $11 million, two-year contract Wednesday.

The 32-year-old has played 140 games in each of three of the last four seasons, batting .242 with 13 home runs and 42 RBIS this year for Pittsburgh. A regular pinch hitter, he started 30 games in right field.

He will earn $5 million in 2017 and $6 million the following season. Oakland dealt right fielder Josh Reddick to the Dodgers at the trade deadline and then sent Coco Crisp back to his former Cleveland club.

Joyce will play for his fifth major league team as he begins his 10th season.

At 69-83, the A’s responded from losing 10 of 11 to win their final two games at Seattle and finish with one more victory than a year ago. But they finished in fifth place and at the bottom of the AL West for the second straight season – another year of injuries and big-name departures.

Braves finalize deal with utility player Sean Rodriguez

ATLANTA – The Atlanta Braves have finalized an $11.5 million, two-year contract with utility player Sean Rodriguez.

The team announced the deal Wednesday after Rodriguez passed a physical.

The 31-year-old provides depth with major league starts at every position except catcher. He hit .270 with 18 homers and 56 RBI – all career highs – for Pittsburgh in 2016.

Rodriguez has his most career starts at second base but saw more time at first base with the Pirates last season. He has a .234 career batting average in nine seasons with the Los Angeles Angels, Tampa Bay and Pittsburgh.