Effing Round Table: What Will The Mets 2014 Payroll be?

By all accounts, the Mets have between $50 and $55 million already committed to next season's payroll. You read the rumors of possible free agents and potential trades... What do you think the Mets 2014 payroll will be and why?

Tim O'Brien:
As much chatter as there is about this being THE off-season for the Mets...I don't think it will be...and I agree it shouldn't be.  I think the payroll will remain "low" in between the $80-90 mark with the additions coming mostly in the bullpen and role players. I think the big contracts being sought by so-so players this off-season, combined with the Mets real hopes (hopefully) being placed on 2015 will make for an off-season that is uneventful and fulfilling for most Mets fans...but not this one.

Jason Wilson:

$60 million. Why? Because they haven't spent in recent years so why should they now?

Bryan Damis:

I'm going to put it just shy of $100 million, in the 90-95 million range. This projection would allude to the fact I don't think the Mets will sign any free agents to large contracts. I can't sit here and believe that the Mets will make any kind of big splash in the offseason, despite all we have read about this being the year Sandy will actually be able to spend. Just because you are able to spend, doesn't mean you should make bad investments. A 90-95 million payroll will put the Mets in the middle of the pack in terms of spending (just like this year) and most likely in the standings as well (a slight improvement from the 2013 season).

Robert Patterson:

I expect payroll to fall in the $85 to $90 million range. I expect one significant free agent signing (think Choo), a veteran pitcher (think Arroyo), and they a decent upgrade at shortstop (think Peralta).
That's probably an added $25 million in payroll, maybe more. I then anticipate another round of low end one year deals (perhaps Byrd, Buck and Harang), which will clear the books for more adds next season. I would think the only way the teams payroll approaches $100 million next season is if the trade for a well compensated outfielder such as Carlos Gonzalez or Jose Bautista. 

Kieran Flemming

The payroll will probably fall around $80 million, and for no other reason than this is not the offseason to spend big. I believe the team does plan to and will bring in some serious talent, but the free agent class isn't good enough to throw all of the money out there at once. They may plan to make improvements this year, take the 2014 season to be more competitive/gauge the rest of their needs, and make a big push next winter. The only way I could see that changing is if they acquire a big bat in a trade, but I believe teams will be asking for more from the Mets strong farm system than they are willing to give up.

Effing Round Table: Should Mets Pursue The Top Free Agents

This week we asked the Effing Mets staff whether or not the Mets were correct in their decision not to pursue the top free agents in this years class?  Here's what they had to say:

Jason Wilson:
No they are not. Signing top free agents could attract other free agents to want to play with them. For example, if the Mets signed Cano you can't tell me that other players wouldn't want to be in a lineup with him, Wright and that young starting rotation.

Bryan Damis:
Depends on the definition of "top" free agents. In my opinion, Robinson Cano may be the only one that fits this bill. That being said, yes I do believe the Mets front office would be correct in not spending that type of money. There are several holes to fill and they are better filled with whatever mid-tier free agents can be had on the market.

Doug Plourd:
Simple answer? Yes.  Why go after second tier players at too much money, when this team will not be ready to contend until 2015.  The Harvey surgery has to come into play in ANY decision this off season.  We hate to admit it as fans, but 2014 will be another lost year....and that's ok.  Let the dead money come off the books, play 75 win ball in 2014, and get ready to gear up for the year we can actually contend. 

Craig Petraglia:
This winter, the only top free agent is Robinson Cano. And with that being said, the Mets are smart to not be willing to allocate 300 million dollars on one player. In my opinion, nobody will ever be worth that much money in baseball. It would be wise to follow the Red Sox model, signing several middle tier free agents as well as trading for a bat. I think it would be smart for Sandy to acquire players by the likes of Beltran and Peralta. This front office has got to devise a strategy to spend their payroll in order to become a contender in 2014. 

Kieran Flemming:
The front office is not wrong to pursue the top free agents available this winter, but only for one reason: this is not a very strong free agent class. In a year where Shin-Soo Choo stands near the top of the heap, it's not a banner year. With the amount of holes the Mets have to fill, I'd be more comfortable with them bringing in some true, maybe not superstar level talent, to complement some of their younger players.

Robert Patterson:
I'm going to level with you, I don't want the Mets anywhere near Robbie Cano this winter. He's declining and an 8 to 10 year deal for him is payroll suicide. I would like to see the Mets in on Choo if his price doesn't exceed $100M, but that remains to be seen. At some point the Mets will need to gamble on someone. Fishing the bottom of the free agent barrel has gotten the team where it's at now. While I agree with steering clear of massive bloated contracts to a point, the front office has best bring in a difference maker this winter. 

So what do you think? We keep hearing the Mets are interested in this player or that player, but does anyone really believe they'll take the plunge? More importantly, should they?

Effing Round Table: What Is The Mets Most Pressing Offseason Need?

With the offseason upon us, it remains clear that the New York Mets have plenty of needs to address this winter.  Outfield, Shortstop, First Base, Pitching... Which is most important..and why?

Tim O'Brien:
The Mets most pressing offseason need is to not do anything stupid.  The Wilpon's have a history of caving to public pressure and the fans are certainly laying it on thick to make a big signing this offseason.  I say stay the course, don't overpay, let the kids develop one more year...then try to strike while the iron is hot (we aren't winning the World Series in 2014).  Unless of course you can get Stanton.

Craig Petraglia:
The Mets have a lot of holes to fill heading into the 2014 season but Sandy Alderson and the front office have a lot of money coming off the books that they can spend on free agents.  The most pressing need for the Mets to fulfill heading into 2014 Opening Day is protection behind David Wright in the lineup.  With the Captain hitting third, if Sandy can bring in a dangerous hitter, no matter the position, whether that be an outfielder or first basemen, Wright will see better pitches to hit and can be even more of an asset offensively.  it will be interesting to see how Sandy spends his money, as the Mets need an upgrade at the shortstop position, the corner outfield, as well as first base, but Mets fans are getting restless and it's time this front office spends money and rolls the dice in order to make a pennant run in the upcoming season.

Rob Patterson:
The Mets have a lot of problems, but none more pressing than the team's outfield.  The departure of Marlon Byrd left an unexpected hole that must be filled..especially if there is an intention to see Juan Lagares as the everyday center fielder.  The Mets need bats..power bats.  Bats that can round out the middle of the lineup and make up for the light hitting players like Lagares, Murphy and d'Arnaud.  Those players are available, via both free agency and trade, and the team's front office needs to find a way to make it happen!

Jason Wilson:
Corner outfielder who can bring the wood to the yard. Why? Because they need it and the run production was noticeable when Marlon Byrd left.

Kieran Flemming:
The Mets' most pressing offseason issue is adding a bat or two that can hit for power. I know how much the organization values on base percentage, but the lineup desperately needs more pop. Be it at first or in the outfield, that is where the team needs the most help.

Bryan Damis:
We are beating a dead horse here but the Mets need power. Plain and simple. David Wright has power to the deepest part of the park and that's not going to work. With such a poor home record comparably to a respectable road record, the Mets need a power hitter who can pull the ball to the shorter parts of the park.

Seth Shapiro:

Power.  Power.  Power.  Particularly a left handed power bat to hit either in front of or behind David Wright.  The two names that come to mind are either Carlos Gonzalez of the Colorado Rockies or Jose Abreu, the free agent slugging first baseman from Cuba.  While I prefer Gonzalez because he is the proven commodity, the thought of acquiring power in Abreu without giving up any prospects or players from the major league club is quite enticing.

Wow! That was pretty much unanimous... Do you agree? Is acquiring a power bat the order of the day, or do the Mets have other areas to address first? Let us know in the comment section.