How Much Money Do The Mets Have?If you trust the Wilpons... none. The Wilpons claim to be losers in the Bernie Madoff ponzi scheme and... frankly... I think they probably were (overall). Do I think that they'll get off paying NOTHING? No, they'll need to pay. Picard had to have some sort of evidence to try the suit in the first place. They won't be giving back $1 Billion, the won't be giving back $300 Million, they'll be giving back something, but I'm pretty sure David Einhorn's money will cover it.
So the Mets have? Listen, it's not like I have access to their books. It seems to me that the Mets should be able to field a team at or above $120 Million simply based on geographic location AND having their own network. That isn't so far above what I would call the poverty line for major market teams ($100 Million). The Wilpons and Alderson know that they cannot field a team below that point without risking severely negative fan response.
Why They WON'T Spend Money: Beyond Jose Reyes, there aren't a lot of players the Mets could uses. They aren't going into the Pujols derby, (as much as I'd like them to) they aren't going to pay the posting fee for Darvish, they aren't going to over-pay for Wilson, so... who are they planning to spend the money on?
Why They WOULD Spend Money: How do you energize a fan-base who are frustrated and disillusioned? You sign someone who would (just by putting on a uniform) bring fans to the ballpark. Jose Reyes is one of those guys but it's not the same when you're bringing him BACK. There are only two other "Wow Factor" players hitting free agency: Albert Pujols (32) and Prince Fielder (28). The issue, as we all know, is that there is nowhere to play them. So... unless you sign Albert and trade Ike Davis that doesn't make sense. Think you can make a splash that would get the fans excited? I would love to see another solution to get the fans excited. If they can't get someone really good, I don't think Alderson wastes time and money with too many people in between.
Impact Free Agents:
Albert Pujols (32)
Jose Reyes (29)
Prince Fielder (28)
Brandon Phillips (31) [If his $12 Mil option is declined]
Yu Darvish (25)
C.J. Wilson (31)
Carlos Beltran (35)
Grady Sizemore (29) [If his $8.5 Mil option is declined]
Lance Berkman (36)
Heath Bell (34)
Jonathan Papelbon (31)
Francisco Rodriguez (32)
3 comments:
Phlave:
A couple of us here at MM have some pretty good insight into the financial situtation with the Mets.
The Madoff related lawsuit is just that, a lawsuit. And it will go nowhere.
Revenues are down for the Mets but they're not on the bread line. a $130mil payroll will be the max, probably $120mil.
The Mets have targeted one and one only free agent... Jose.
The Mets future looks bright. There is depth in prospect pitching and the future outfield is still playing infield.
I don't see Sandy & Company driking the FA kool aid. Look for more Young-Hairston-Beato type pick ups.
Just saying that the Wilpons would likely WISH to make a splash to energize the fans. There just really isn't a splash to be made.
Absolutely right Plav, there isn't anyone other then Darvish that the Mets could use, but that is as likely to happen as winning the world series this year. I understand your posts. Your a fan first and just playing with scenarios, knowing it's just fun to play the GM game. However, logic says that other then Reyes, the Mets aren't the over pay and hope for the best team they used to be anymore. Thats a good thing. The surprise is that they dont need to do much other then sign Reyes to stay competitive. 2013 will bring in some good replacements from the minors. Sandy's plan is a long term plan, not a patch work job, so this might take a few years to compete with Philly for the division.
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