Kathy Willens/Associated Press

Free-agent slugger Yoenis Cespedes, fresh off a World Series appearance with the New York Mets, has reportedly agreed to return to the team.

Continue for updates.

Mets Reportedly Reach Deal with Cespedes

Friday, Jan. 22

Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports reported the Mets and Cespedes reached a three-year contract that includes a no-trade clause and noted Cespedes had higher offers. Rosenthal reported the deal is expected to be worth around $70 million over three years with a one-year opt-out clause.

Jon Heyman of MLB Network confirmed the deal.

Cespedes' Agents Reached Out to Yankees

Friday, Jan. 22

Citing a source, John Harper of the New York Daily News reported Cespedes' representatives contacted the New York Yankees:

The Roc Nation group, reached out to the Yankees on Thursday to tell them of the slugger’s desire to stay in New York, and ask if they’d be willing to jump in with a three-year offer. All indications are that the Yankees have no such intentions, but the scenario itself is revealing and perhaps encouraging to the Mets.

Nationals Pursued Cespedes

Thursday, Jan. 21

Heyman reported the Nationals were "pressing to get [Cespedes'] deal done" and were believed to be willing to offer around $100 million for a five-year contract. Heyman also reported they were interested in structuring the deal "over many years."

On Jan. 20, Rosenthal reported the Nationals were targeting Cespedes after missing out on Justin Upton, who signed with the Detroit Tigers.

Mets Refused to Budge on Initial Cespedes Offer

Thursday, Jan. 21

The Mets remained unwilling to offer a deal for beyond three years, according to Rosenthal.

USA Today's Bob Nightengale first reported the Mets wanted to sign Cespedes to a short-term deal Jan. 16.

On Jan. 13, Rosenthal reported Cespedes would need to be willing to "entertain" a short-term deal to remain with the Mets but added the outfielder was committed to signing a long-term deal.

White Sox Were In on Cespedes

Wednesday, Jan. 20

The Chicago White Sox had interest in Cespedes, according to Nightengale, who added the team did not want to go longer than three years on a potential deal.

Nightengale first reported on Jan. 16 the White Sox wanted to sign Cespedes to a short-term deal.

Padres Reportedly Kept Tabs on Cespedes

Wednesday, Jan. 20

Citing a source, Dennis Lin of the San Diego Union-Tribune reported the San Diego Padres were "monitoring the market for Cespedes."

Tigers Reportedly Negotiated with Cespedes Prior to Upton Signing

Tuesday, Jan. 19

The Tigers were in talks with Cespedes as well as Upton before signing Upton on Monday, per Rosenthal.

On Dec. 7, Tigers general manager Al Avila told reporters the team was out of talks with Cespedes.

Marlins Denied Interest in Cespedes

Tuesday, Jan. 19

Miami Marlins president David Samson said the team had no interest in Cespedes due to a "crowded outfield," per Nightengale.

Rosenthal also noted that the Marlins offered Cespedes a six-year, $36 million contract when he first joined MLB in 2012.

Angels Didn't Pursue Cespedes

Tuesday, Jan. 19

Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com reported the Los Angeles Angels did not pursue Cespedes because the team wanted to stay under the luxury-tax threshold.

Orioles Were Interested in Cespedes

Saturday, Jan. 16

Eduardo A. Encina of the Baltimore Sun reported the Baltimore Orioles would only consider a one- or two-year deal for Cespedes.

On Thursday, Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com reported the Orioles were "willing" to offer Cespedes a contract in the five-year, $75 million to $90 million range. Roch Kubatko of MASN reported the Orioles gave Cespedes an offer, adding he seemed "to be the focus at the moment."

On Dec. 29, MLB.com's Jesse Sanchez reported the Orioles were among the favorites to land Cespedes.

Braves Reportedly Considered Cespedes

Wednesday, Jan. 13

Heyman reported the Atlanta Braves had "some interest" in Cespedes.

Gordon's Deal with Royals Narrowed Cespedes Market

Wednesday, Jan. 6

Jon Morosi of Fox Sports reported that after Alex Gordon re-signed in Kansas City for a reported four years and $72 million, per ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney, the market for Cespedes became more defined.

Cespedes Cashes In After Terrific 2nd Half with Mets

Cespedes, who was traded to the Mets at the deadline in July, put together a monster second half on his way to a 35-home run, 105-RBI season. He hit 17 home runs in just 57 games with the Mets, helping them to a World Series appearance—their first in 15 years.

After his four-year, $36 million deal expired at the end of the season, per Spotrac, Cespedes told ESPN Deportes' Marly Rivera (h/t ESPN.com) that he was looking for a six-year contract, which would have likely put him over the $100 million mark.

Cespedes' representatives worked hard to get him a big-time contract, according to Crasnick:

As a prelude to the Hot Stove shopping season, Cespedes' representatives at the Creative Artists Agency and Roc Nation distributed a coffee table-type book to a select list of teams. The book, titled "52 Reviews" (in honor of Cespedes' jersey number), has a black-and-white cloth cover, runs about 100 pages and features laudatory comments and testimonials from managers, coaches, players, front-office executives and members of the media. In a bow to technology, the book also has a video player embedded inside the front cover. Executives who push the "play" button are treated to an array of Yoenis Cespedes home runs, jaw-dropping throws and other highlights set to music.

Cespedes rejoining the Mets puts them in position to make another dream run with a familiar star in the lineup.

Stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com.