PORT ST. LUCIE — Since joining the Mets, Yoenis Cespedes has been instrumental in two playoff runs, guaranteed himself $137.5 million in salary and become a larger star.
He wants to add to that résumé.
Yoenis Cespedes is eyeing an MVP trophy.
“That’s what I want,” Cespedes told The Post through a translator. “The first thing is to stay healthy, but these are things that I’ve always thought about. It’s any ballplayer’s dream.”
After hitting 17 homers in just 57 games following his trade from Detroit in 2015, Cespedes delivered a 31-homer season a year ago, despite battling a quadriceps injury.
That was good for eighth place in the voting, behind — among others — ex-Met Daniel Murphy of the Nationals and the winner, Kris Bryant of the Cubs. That was the highest Cespedes has finished in his career.
At 31, can Cespedes put together the kind of elite, healthy season that would elevate the Mets and enhance and give him a shot at the MVP?
“That is the goal,” Mets hitting coach Kevin Long told The Post. “That’s what he is shooting for. He’s determined to be the best player on the field.”
He looked the part on Thursday, as the Mets tied the Tigers, 5-5 at First Data Field.
Cespedes hit his third homer of the spring, a two-run shot off Anibal Sanchez in the third inning. He’s now 10-for-19, with four extra-base hits.
Starting April 3, that won’t mean much, but the fast start in spring is encouraging, a reflection of Cespedes’ rededication in the weight room and comfort in his surroundings and knowing where he will be in the near future with the long-term contract.
All of that has both Long and Cespedes believing he could become the first Met to win the MVP.
“It’s a mutual thing,” Long said. “He’s said it to me and I have to him. There is no reason he can’t [win the MVP].”
Long and assistant hitting coach Pat Roessler thought he was capable of it before this season.
“[Roessler] and I have said all along that he has the potential to be an MVP,” Long said. “He has agreed. He knows how talented and good he is.”
In order for Cespedes to have a chance to win the award, he likely will need the top of the Mets’ order to hit well in front of him and to have big moments helping the team reach the postseason for the third straight year, which the Mets never have done. But so far — from the shape of Cespedes’ body, to the growing serenity in his surroundings, to the results in spring — so great.
“It is hard not to be excited about Cespedes,” Long said. “I have told him, ‘The only person who can get Cespedes out is Cespedes.’ When he swings at good pitches, he’s just special and he is so much better at laying off of that high pitch. He understands the impact of his swing and what pitchers are doing with him now. He is stronger and in better shape than any other time in his life.”