Mets' Alderson Talks Finances Again

Here we go again. The Post and various other media outlets are reporting that the banks that have issued the Mets loans are keeping them on a payroll restriction. A claim that Sandy Alderson denies. He is quoted as saying the current payroll is just north of $85 million which if memory serves me correctly is similar to last year. That said they unloaded some big nasty contracts for two (who I won't name) who never saw the field. We have added Chris Young, Curtis Granderson, and Bartolo Colon to major league contracts along with Kyle Farnsworth and Jose Valdverde on minor league contracts with zero guarantee of making the team out of camp.

The latter of the two coming off the heels of "missing" out on Grant Balfour and Fernando Rodney to rumored similar deals. And then there is the ongoing saga of the Stephen Drew situation be it money, years, opt out clauses, etc. I then meander over to see what Adam Rubin is saying to find this:

“I said it was unlikely that we would sign another major free agent,” Sandy Alderson said. “I think that’s still the case.” #mets
— Adam Rubin (@AdamRubinESPN) February 13, 2014

Unlikely? I think it is more like guaranteed and while the fan in me wishes that weren't the case if it is true then fine. I don't like it and it won't make me cheer on this effing team any less but whatever. I just want this season to start so we can talk about who is doing well, who isn't, and what we as fans are getting for our $85 million payroll.

Photo Courtesey of: NYPost

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Mets Offseason May Be Over

In addition to claiming themselves out of the Stephen Drew race, Sandy Alderson also told Anthony DiComo of MLB.com that the team is unlikely to issue another guaranteed deal this winter.  This likely signifies the end of an offseason with two keep positions still remaining on the team's shopping list: an upgrade at shortstop and a veteran relief pitcher.

Following an offer to Grant Balfour who ultimately signed with the Tampa Bay Rays, the Mets were attached to rumors for Fernando Rodney, however that option remains unlikely.  Instead Alderson told DiComo:

"We've got a lot of good young arms that we like -- they just don't have much experience. 

Acquiring someone with some experience would give us some comfort going into Spring 

Training, but we don't want to preclude some of our younger pitchers from getting a 

solid opportunity either. So if there's somebody there that we like, we'll pursue them. 

Otherwise, one of the ways we've approached starting pitching, for example, is to bring 

in a couple of guys on Minor League contracts and have them compete with some of our 

own internal candidates. We may do the same thing with the bullpen."

If he's true to his word, this would put the end to what was supposed to be an offseason of promise.  The Mets will have spent just over $87 million dollars this winter, but will have failed to address two of their biggest needs and are poised to enter the season with an opening day payroll of just $82.35 million.  None of this will sit well with fans, who were looking for much more heading into 2014.  The Mets appear to be only slightly better (depending who you ask) and will lean heavily on their upcoming youth next season.

Mets Make Play for Closer - Fall Short on Balfour

Several sources are reporting that the Mets offered Grant Balfour a two year deal exceeding $12M, but the former A's closer opted to sign with the Tampa Bay Rays instead.  While losing out on one of the remaining quality free agent arms for the bullpen is disappointing, it does signal a willingness on the Mets part to spend more than $90M in payroll for the 2014 season.  That apparent commitment, and the fact that the market for Steven Drew appears to be falling in the range of the team's price range, could mean that Sandy Alderson isn't finished improving the 2014 squad. All teams have question marks as the season approaches.  Answering those questions by exhibiting an ability to devote resources to the product on the field is the best way to lure wary fans back to the ballpark.

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Added by Rob -

Its worth nothing that money may not have been the deciding factor in this case.  Balfour is a closer, and a quality one.  The Mets have Bobby Parnell, and while an argument could be made for either one over the other, it likely the team's front office viewed Balfour as the "veteran" insurance policy with regards to Parnell's health.  I can't agree more with Denis' assertion that the willingness to spend upwards of $12 million dollars should illustrate to fans that the Mets still have the wallet to add this offseason.  That's refreshing news, despite losing out in this particular instance.