Mets baseball blog

Mets seeking $100,000,000 payroll in 2012

Mets general manager Sandy Alderson has hinted since taking the job last off-season that his team's $142 million payroll could decrease significantly in 2012, but principal owner Fred Wilpon now seems to have a dollar figure in mind.

In a SI interview, Wilpon says the Mets' payroll could drop 30 percent -- to about $100 million -- next year.

"That's fair," Wilpon told the magazine. "If you invest your $100 million properly, as most clubs that are competitive are in that range ... we have to see what Sandy wants to do, and Sandy wants flexibility. And I'm trying to give him the ultimate amount of flexibility. He's going to have to make those decisions." (Continue)

Mets will pay for free agents...in 2012

On the day the Mets officially signed Chris Young -- another affordable pitcher who is coming off an injury -Jeff Wilpon defended the team's offseason strategy of not going after big names this year in hopes of being able to do so in 2012.

"I don't think [people] realize the payroll is up in the $145 [million] or better range," the Mets chief operating officer said. "Unfortunately, we were somewhat hamstrung by what had happened before. Sandy [Alderson's] plan was to go and deal with it this year and make sure we have tremendous flexibility next year." (Post)