Philadelphia Phillies: 3 perfect DH options for 2021 season

3. Yoenis Cespedes

Eight-year veteran outfielder Yoenis Cespedes saw minimal action in 2020 due to him opting out in early August. While the COVID-19 pandemic was thought to be the 35-year-old’s reason for abandoning the New York Mets, he reportedly confronted Mets officials twice over playing time, before making his decision.  over playing time before opting out of the 2020 season.

“Cespedes apparently felt like Mets management was trying to prevent him from triggering certain contract bonuses and became increasingly disgruntled when he was not written into the lineup for Sunday afternoon’s series finale in Atlanta,” Rotoworld writes.

While Cespedes may need a change of scenery, that does not mean he has to leave the National League East. Ever since his March 2012 debut, the Cuba native has been a continual power threat – when healthy.

As a rookie with the Oakland Athletics, Cespedes crushed 23 home runs and 82 RBI, placing him 10th for the MVP race and second for Rookie of the Year. In 2014, Cespedes earned his first of two career All-Star nods, playing for both the A’s and defending World Series champion Boston Red Sox. Along with 22 home runs and 36 doubles, Cespedes produced 100 RBI.

One year later, playing for the Detroit Tigers and New York Mets, he notched his first carer Gold Glove honor, while also slugging a career-high 35 home runs and 105 RBI. Cespedes battled through injuries during his most recent stint with the Mets, but still managed to slug two home runs and four RBI across eight games, before opting out this past season.

The Phillies have seen first-hand the power Cespedes can provide, as he has slugged 16 homers and 37 RBI against them in 40 games. Eleven of those home runs occurred at Citizens Bank Park. Why not roll the dice that he can potentially bounce back in a big way in red pinstripes?