The Mets recent list of untendered players fits into the earlier reports that the Mets are going to, one, operate at a lower salary level that 2025, and two, take a shot at trying to get into line regarding the luxury tax penalties (good luck with that one).
Right now, there are only 11
players with fixed 2026 salaries, totaling $208,826,398. The
amount you have to be even at, or under, is $244,000,000.
Ha!
That leaves $35,173,602
for the rest of the entire team’s 40-man roster. And… there is six
more players with a total estimated 2026 salary of $16,478,000.
This “balloons” the amount
of players to 17
players and $225,304,398… now only $18,695,602
left for the rest of the 23 members of the 40.
The minimum salary for a
major league baseball players is $780,000. No
way, Jose. Really? Well, right now, there are 21 players on the 40 that will
be paid the minimal amount of $780,000 to play baseball next season. (Minimal.
750 big ones. And they still call this game). That totals $16,380.000
more… which takes this team to 38 players being paid a total
of $241,684,398.
So. In order to bring this team
under the penalty phrase, you have to pay two more players a total of $2,315,602.
Wow. They can do it.
Well… then the Nimmo/Semien trade
happens and a $20,250,000 salary commitment to Brandon
becomes a $24,000,000 one to Marcus.
The Mets also send $5,000,000
to the Rangers as part of this deal, which just makes things worse.
Bottom line… $246,684,398 with
two players to go.
So much for this college try…
unless… you trade off the $12,500,000 straight up owed Jeff McNeil for an
non-40 prospect.
More to come…
So.
Why Semien? My guess…
1) less years contracted
for…
2) a probably future trading
of McNeil…
and 3)
+5 +DRS FOR Semien vs. +2 +DRS for McNeil…
Semien +7-OAA vs. McNeil +2-OAA.
8 comments:
Smart tactical move that cuts losses on Nimmo’s contract & opens up major restructuring & materially improves infield “run prevention”. Classic Stearns move.
Semien is a good pickup if he doesn’t age decline too much…he is 35.
Mack, this could only work if:
Benge was OD CF
Mets trade McNeil, Manaea and Senga for salary relief. They will also have to go with Sproat on OD roster, while still adding some relievers.
Would love for it to happen but sounds pretty difficult.
I like Nimmo but I also like this deal. Semian has had a couple of down offensive years, but he’s still a GG-caliber 2B, with far more range than McNeil. Plus, starting in May of last season his OPS was near .800. Maybe the bat isn’t finished yet.
Getting (much) rangier at 2B allows them to play Pete there half-time (and half-time DH). This also opens up a restructuring of the OF, moving Soto to LF where his lousy D will do less harm, (and hopefully some DH).
That could very well mean Benge opens the season in RF, where he’s projected as an above avg defender, with a CF still to come. Luis Robert with one year left would fit very well, and not clog up CF longer term if they decide to move Benge there in year 2.
It is
Everybody demands Cohen pay part of salaries traded
Gus
What am I missing here?
I wonder if there is more to the "clubhouse issues" theory floating around out there, regarding the Mets' poor second half, etc? Could Nimmo's departure be related to that, as much as his onerous contract and his declining skill set.
The numbers may not end up below the competitive balance level, but they could be close as you demonstrate. Close is good enough during this transition phase to a sustainable roster. The tax is applied to the overage, so it should not be outrageous if they don't get crazy over the last two salaries (they might).
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