Reese Kaplan -- A Very Expensive Flawed Mets Roster for 2027

Going into the 2027 there are tons of roster construction questions that in many cases come back to the financial obligation owner Steve Cohen is willing to swallow moving forward as his employee David Stearns who sunk his team into last place attempts to rewrite the direction the team will take moving forward.

How bad is it?

Well, depending on whose numbers you choose to embrace the Mets are obligated to pay somewhere between $236 and $280 million based upon the current roster obligations. That’s not pocket change and it doubly emphasizes the level of investment Steve Cohen will indeed make.  Let’s take a little bit of a closer look.

Right now the first big number to embrace is, of course, third baseman Bo Bichette.  Among Stearns’ bizarre contracts that didn’t pan out effectively he offered the former Blue Jay more annual pay than his numbers demanded and he didn’t come anywhere close to them.  His second half was far better than his first but the end result of a moderate batting average with an RBI total that was tops on the Mets but not what a middle of the order bat should provide.

Of course, the annual rate was not the only questionable aspect of the POBO’s offer to the former All Star.  It was not a traditional three year deal but three consecutive 1-year contracts with opt-out language and a $5 million buyout.  The understanding here was that the Mets were providing Bichette with a handsome paycheck while also giving the man the opportunity to walk away should he feel his value skyrocketed.

The reality, of course, is that no one is abandoning a $42 million annual salary unless he earned a league’s MVP award.  Not being a prospective lead leader in HRs nor RBIs Bichette is indeed a solid hitter but not likely to command a greater annual salary but he could theoretically get a longer term from a new employer.  The protections are there more to help the player than the Mets.

After that $42 million hit and an even bigger one for Juan Soto the numbers continue to pile on as they also must pay multiple players over $20 million per year including Francisco Lindor, Marcus Semien, Sean Manaea and Jorge Polanco.

The club has ten ballplayers eligible for arbitration this year including Francsco Alvarez, Brett Baty, Reed Garrett, Tylor Megill, Christopher Morel, Dedniel Nunez, Cristian Pache, Cionel Perez, Mark Vientos and Austin Warren.  Some of this group could easily be non-tendered but then the roster spots would have to be replaced and could theoretically cost even more. 

Let’s not forget dead money in payroll as well.  Everyone is well aware of Bobby Bonilla Day which impacts the Mets payroll but may not remember that Luke Weaver gets a payout for next year as well.

As the front office prepares for what is likely going to be a shortened 2027 season due to the expected CBA stalemate closing the stadium doors, do remember that the Mets may only be viewing this transitional year as preparation for 2028. At that point they regain $80 million in payroll dollars when Sean Manaea, Kodai Senga and Jorge Polanco will all likely become former Mets via free agency.  That number could swell significantly if Bichette opts out but it’s not likely to happen.

By 2028 many of the more interesting prospects in the organization might be considered ready for trials at the major league level.  Consequently going all-in on multiple long term deals for the upcoming season may not make that much sense.