The New York Mets think this guy is worth $1 million per home run
Slugger Yoenis Cespedes just signed a four-year, $110 million extension with the New York Mets. That breaks down to $27.5 million per year, making Cespedes the highest paid outfielder in baseball.
A couple weeks ago, we calculated just how much Aroldis Champan — the top free agent pitcher available this offseason — is looking to make, per inning and per pitch. An international signee from Cuba, Cespedes was the premier outfielder on the market.
What does $27.5 million look like over the course of a season?
Cespedes is known for his power, so let's see how much the Mets value it. He's averaged 27.4 home runs over his five-year career, meaning he'd make about $1 million every time he knocks one out of the park in the next four years.
The 31-year-old is also an RBI machine, averaging 90.6. Under his new contract, Cespedes would make a respectable $303,532 every time he drives in one of his teammates.
But those two figures hedge on Cesdepes' success.
The Cuban outfielder averages 141.4 at-bats per year. So, assuming Cespedes keeps that pace, he'd make about $194,439 every time he steps up to the plate. He could strike out every time, and the Mets are still going to pay him almost 200 grand just for being there.
Not a bad life.
