Yoenis Cespedes Shows Up To Mets Spring Training On Tricked-Out Motorcycle

About a minute before Mets outfielder Yoenis Cespedes rolled into Tradition Field in Florida for spring training on Tuesday, the noise of his motorcycle’s engine revving caught the attention of the crowd outside the field.

Yoenis Cespedes Shows Up To Mets Spring Training on Motorcycle

Cespedes was wearing no helmet — Florida law does not require one for open-air vehicles like his — as he rode his tricked-out Polaris Slingshot motorcycle, screeching the wheels to the amusement of reporters, fans and teammates waiting for the post-workout show.

“Somebody asked me, ‘You going to get one of those?’ ” Mets pitcher Zack Wheeler said. “I said, ‘nah, I’ll run over it with my truck.’”

Cespedes told his translator that he had the motorbike customized by The Auto Firm in Doral, Fla., along with his uniform No. 52 painted onto the hood. The sleek, stylish bike has a list sell price of $21,499, although according to reports, Cespedes’  paid nearly $70,000 for all the modifications.

Cespedes, who lives in Boca Raton, has previously been seen driving a customized monster truck to workouts.

Mets officials have stated that most contracts include a clause that deals with hazardous behavior away from the ballparks and that motorcycles do fall under this category. However, they would not discuss if it was specifically included in the three-year, $75 million deal they signed with Cespedes last month.

General manager Sandy Alderson said just last week that it is “possible” the Mets go into Opening Day with all their outfielders, citing possible injuries. Brandon Nimmo, the emergency call-up, is already dealing with a torn tendon in his left foot.

Outfielder Alejandro de Aza has said he is not surprised or disappointed by the Mets’ re-signing of Cespedes. He has also stated that he is not thinking about trade rumors, although the Rangers have reportedly expressed interest, and would just focus instead on preparing for any role the Mets asked him to play.

Juan Lagares, a fellow outfielder whom the Mets had planned to place in center field alongside de Aza, signed a four-year, $23 million extension last spring. He said he knew he was fighting for a job after Cespedes was re-signed.

“I have to come ready, like I’m coming to play for a job. I can only control what I can control, so I am working hard and be ready for anything,” Lagares said. “You never know what is going to happen is how I feel right now.”

Article by Pablo Mena