Late Thursday afternoon, the Nationals’ signing of free-agent outfielder Yoenis Cespedes seemed likely, if not inevitable. The Nats had made Cespedes a five-year offer for an unspecified amount, according to major-league sources. The Mets were unwilling to go beyond three years, sources said. The possibility existed -- and still exists -- that other teams are still involved. But Cespedes also could be wrestling with a more fundamental choice. According to two sources with knowledge of his thinking, he prefers to stay with the Mets. The lead agent for Cespedes, CAA’s Brodie Van Wagenen, remains in touch with the Mets, and the two sides are scheduled to speak again on Friday, sources said. Mets manager Terry Collins, speaking Thursday night at the St. John’s University Baseball Bullpen Winter Banquet in Queens, N.Y., offered high praise for Cespedes. “He works very hard to be a good teammate,” Collins said. “Even though he doesn’t speak a lot of English, he works very, very hard at it. “His pregame routine is off the charts ... off the charts. He has things that he does right before a game in the batting cage. ... When he walks onto that field, he’s legit. - See more at: http://www.foxsports.com/mlb/story/...ld-prefer-stay-with-mets-ken-rosenthal-012116
