Yoenis Cespedes has been well-travelled in his six-year major-league career.
Currently a member of the New York Mets, the 31-year-old has spent time with the Detroit Tigers, Boston Red Sox and Oakland Athletics.
In an interview with Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle, Cespedes confessed his love for the team that initially signed him as an international free agent in 2012. Taking it a step further, the Cuban outfielder said he hopes to finish his career there.
“I told (teammate Jerry) Blevins, ‘I don’t know how many years I’m going to play, but I’m going to play the last year of my career with Oakland,’” he said. “I don’t know if that’s possible or not, but that’s my goal.”
Prior to this season, Cespedes signed a four-year, $110 million contract that would keep him with the Mets until 2021.
“I still love the A’s, they were the first team to give me an opportunity to play in the big leagues,” Cespedes said. “I love Oakland all the time.”
He hit 49 home runs and stole 23 bases in two impressive seasons to kick off his big-league career with the A’s before he was traded to the Red Sox the following year in exchange for ace Jon Lester.
Cespedes’ brief stay in Oakland clearly made an impression on him, and manager Bob Melvin played a major part in that.
“I tell my guys here all the time that he’s the best manager for me so far,” Cespedes said. “I don’t think there’s a better manager than Melvin.”
Cespedes has been slowed by injuries this season. He currently owns a .271/.323/.480 slashline and has clubbed nine home runs for the Mets.
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