Cespedes off the board, but sluggers remain

The Mets and Yoenis Cespedes just can’t quit each other. Those crazy kids have had a couple near-breakups but have nonetheless come to terms on multiyear agreements twice in the last 10 months, which has to be some kind of record. The latest, according to multiple sources, is a four-year, $110 million pact that takes arguably the top free-agent slugger off the 2016-17 board and leaves other clubs to assess what’s left.

So … let’s assess what’s left, shall we?

• Hot Stove Tracker

The following is a look not at the full scope of position-player talent available but, rather, a rundown of the top end of the slugging spectrum now that we know Cespedes’ power bat (and golf clubs and fluorescent arm sleeves and flashy jewelry and impressive car collection) is staying put.

1. Edwin Encarnacion

The good: Second only to Chris Davis (197) in home runs over the last five seasons (193), and, unlike Davis (who, remember, got seven years and $161 million to re-sign with the O’s last year), Encarnacion’s power doesn’t come with lofty strikeout totals. In that same five-year span, the only player who hit at least 150 homers with a strikeout rate better than Encarnacion’s (one per 6.6 plate appearances) was David Ortiz (6.8). Oh, and presumably, the parrot will accompany E.E. wherever he lands, so that’s an ornithological bonus.

The bad: He’ll be 34 on Opening Day and is best served as a bat-only player at a time when defensive dependability and roster flexibility are so valuable.

The guesstimate: His market is very likely limited to American League teams and he’s tied to Draft-pick compensation, but this could be the source of a good old-fashioned battle between the Yankees and Red Sox, which would obviously be beneficial for Encarnacion’s bank account. Don’t rule out the Astros, though they might be hesitant to part with a Draft pick.

2. Jose Bautista

The good: In the seven-season span from 2010-16, only Miguel Cabrera (.996), Joey Votto (.971), Mike Trout (.963) and Ortiz (.945) had a higher OPS mark than Bautista’s .929. His keen eye, which resulted in the sport’s third-best walk rate (one per 5.9 plate appearances) even in an otherwise down statistical year, is an asset that should age well.

The bad: Bautista is 36 and is coming off a year in which his OPS declined nearly …

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