Red Sox could trade Yoenis Cespedes with Mets as possible destination

The chances of the Red Sox trading outfielder Yoenis Cespedes have increased due to his switch to Jay-Z's Roc Nation agency, according to a report from Bill Madden of the New York Daily News. In addition, Madden cites Cespedes' "open disenchantment with Boston and his refusal to pay any heed to their coaches" as possible reasons the slugger could be traded this offseason.

Madden goes as far as to cite one Red Sox source who said that Cespedes "marches to his own drum and the coaches all hate him", which is unlike anything that has been written publicly before. Today's report about a potential trade aligns with one from Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe last Sunday, which noted that word is spreading throughout the league that a trade involving Cespedes could be coming this winter.

Cespedes, who was acquired from the Athletics at the trade deadline, is a free agent at the end of the 2015 season when his four-year, $36 million contract expires. According to Madden, the Red Sox initially showed willingness to extend the outfielder on a four-to-five-year deal and had preliminary talks with his ex-agent Adam Katz, but are now much less likely to look to sign him long-term after his switch to Roc Nation.

Cespedes was penciled into the Red Sox' outfield next season along with newcomers Allen Craig and Rusney Castillo as well as youngsters Jackie Bradley Jr., Mookie Betts and veteran Daniel Nava. The Sox could trade Cespedes for young starting pitching to make room for Betts in left field, if they decide to take the younger route.

Madden speculates that the Mets, who are on the lookout for outfield help, could engage the Red Sox in trade talks this offseason due to their stable of young pitching. New York has young arms like Jon Niese, Dillon Gee, Zack Wheeler, Jacob deGrom and Noah Syndergaard, and could be looking to move an a pitcher to add to help their offensive struggles next season.